My Name is Jason Taylor. I live on Red Maple Drive in Timberlea, just outside of Halifax. My home is backed on to Half Mile Lake. I have 3 backyard hens. I have had these little ladies for two and a half years. They came home with my daughter from school as tiny chicks, and we were able to keep them. We bought a coop. Added a run for them. Added a small amount of heat to their coop in winter. Bought a heated water dish. Drive an hour for feed. Etc… We take amazing care of these hens. They are my daughters (she is 14). She loves them. Raised them. Cares for them. My daughters have learned so much about raising and caring for hens. My neighbours (all except for 1 it seems) all enjoy them too. They like having them around. We let them run around our yard when we are out there and they cut down on pests in a big way (ants, ticks, beetles etc..). We have had them for over 2 years. We love them.

One of my neighbors has decided to call the city and complain about these hens. The by-law officer came to our house. The decision was made that we have to get rid of these little hens by May 31st. I’m floored. Our neighbours and friends are very upset at this decision, as are we. They are quiet. We clean their coop daily. They are pets.

I know the decision is in the works to have backyard hens made legal, but it not signed yet. However, there are other hen owners in Halifax, so why can’t we keep ours?

Please support our family in our fight to keep our pets.

Thank you.

Jason C. Taylor