Sure... if their pets.

[Mushroom Man]

I live in Chatham Ontario on a street that is considered residential and not 'farming'. My wife told me, in not so many words, if it's not legal to have chickens I just can't have them. After contacting the Code enforcer I was told that I was not able to operate as a farm. So raising and selling chickens is not allowed.

So I asked... what if I have a few chickens as pets. And she told me plainly, 'Well, I'm not allowed to tell you that you can't have pets. Are they pets?" Of course I reply... "love them as if they were my own children." :rolleyes:

So I will begin building my chicken coop next weekend! After all, my beloved pets deserve to have a beautiful home. :)

[Fred's Fine Fowl]

I generally like and even enjoy challenging city regulations regarding animals like chickens... it is often funny when you read the wording in some cases.

BUT... just to let you know about Ontario
Here is the wording in current regulation regarding poultry:
"chickens are prohibited"

No room for interpretation there, if you fall under a municipality there.

Just go in with your eyes open, you'll find they have no sense of humor regarding the term "pets".... I know it's funny, until...

I wish you luck!

Fred
www.FredsFineFowl.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/HTCSWEOD

[Mushroom Man]

I found plans for a chicken coop that can easily be converted to a rabbit hutch. Just incase hell rains down upon me for having a couple of chickens I'll be able to switch over to rabbit's and use their 'fertilizing power' for my gardens.

I was contacted by a seller of fancy Silkies for $10 each. If I would have chickens as pets...these would be the ones. They are so beautiful! He told me that each would lay one egg every-other day. I do have one question...Would I cause mental anguish to my chickens if I only have two of them? Or should I take a chance on three?

[Fred's Fine Fowl]

I'd go with three... trios are good and they then have a pretty good social interaction going on annnd if something should happen to one, you'd still have companions for the remaining two.

Silkies are funny chickens, with a feather structure (or lack thereof) much like fur... back in the 1920's they were often sold as a novelty cross between cats and chickens... you know, when people were more easily fooled about genetics? And... some fancy breeders do feed their chickens a partial ration of kitten chow to boost protein just before getting into the breeding/hatching season.. so there ya go!

A dual purpose structure is always a good idea... Coops built like garden sheds, even better... I have four buildings for birds.. one even has a covered front porch.. I could totally live in it if my wife starts rejecting me or something like that there....

So... best of luck with your new kittens!

Fred
www.FredsFineFowl.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KdCfx7Eyv8 My cottage is in this vid

[gardengirl72]

I say go for it. I agree with Fred whole-heartedly.

[cbownesouth]

How the coop looks and how quiet the birds are will have a lot to do with whether or not you get any complaints. If the coop looks like they're pets people will see them as pets. Just don't make the mistake of getting a rooster. There is no better way to annoy your neighbors and get the code enforcer involved.

[Mushroom Man]

Thanks for all of the great advise.

I decided to go raise Frey chickens.
I was told by a friend that they are very quite while laying eggs about 4 times a week (or more).

I also found a farmer that raises very large rabbits for meat. I'm trying to work out a deal to purchase 2 female and a male. Should be able to raise about 300 lbs.

Last, but not least, is the beehive (Top-bar Behive). Here are the directions and, I believe, is a YouTube video showing most of its construction:

Top-Bar Part I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ECkkYsqvc&feature=related)
Top-Bar Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_mJawLFm9I&feature=related)

And here is a PDF of the constructions/plans (Top-bar Beehive (http://www.newgoldenage.ca/images/bees/Top-bar_beehive.pdf))

We are on our way!