I am very disappointed to hear the council of Qualicum Beach’s vote against backyard chickens.
I had a few urban chickens growing up in the 1970s and ’80s and have always valued the lessons I learned about where our food comes from, growing our own food, and taking care of animals/others.
I now have a toddler and a pre-schooler and have been very much looking forward to having a few chickens of our own to pass on those invaluable life lessons to our children. We have been talking with our kids about getting baby chicks and raising them to laying chickens.
For children, caring for chickens and getting fresh eggs daily in return is hugely rewarding and educational.
These chickens are pets and loved as any pet. If any in town chicken should happen to get loose, I’ll volunteer to come retrieve it to take the burden off the local bylaw officer. I love Qualicum and have been here for over 40 years.
My wife and I sacrificed to buy a larger lot in town so that we could grow our own food and live as locally and responsibly as possible.
The benefits of having a few laying hens in your backyard should not be limited to ALR properties.
We all need to do as much as we can to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle and the town should be supportive of citizens trying to do their part.
I respectfully request the council reconsider this decision.
Jason Howard
Qualicum Beach