Efforts to hatch the idea of backyard chickens in Enderby aren't being entertained.
A request to allow for hens in residential areas was made to council Monday.
"We're not going to at this point," said Enderby Mayor Greg McCune, as this is the only formal request the city has received. "It's just one person."
Resident Leigh Herbert, who used to have hens but was forced to get rid of them, made the request.
“I tried to recommend they do a survey to find out how many people support/are against having chickens in Enderby, and see if anyone wanted to try a pilot project to see how it would work,” said Herbert.
His proposal was for four to six (no roosters) on a minimum lot size would be 370 m2 in a fully enclosed and roofed coop along with restrictions and basic awareness and education provided by the city via a brochure or website.
"With these guidelines the following issues can be successfully mitigated: public health risks (avian influenze/samonella), human wildlife conflicts, nuisance from noise, smell, pests, hens at large, animal welfare and human conditions," said Herbert.
But Enderby isn't completely against the idea of chickens in the community, just on smaller properties.
"We currently have a bylaw that does allow it on a large property," said McCune.
Currently, chickens are considered a restricted agricultural use and are only permitted on properties at least one hectare or 2.421 acres in area.
Hens are permitted in rural Enderby and other areas of the regional district, as well as Vernon.