Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

Saanich may allow chickens on smaller lots — with conditions
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
By KIM WESTAD, Timescolonist

Chickens may be able to roost in Saanich but they will have to be registered and orderly about it.

A report going to council next week from staff recommends that keeping hens on smaller properties be allowed, as most residents who responded to an earlier survey wanted, but certain restrictions should apply.

Owners would have to register their flocks, up to a maximum of five hens, with the municipality.

Saanich changes rules on chickens, deer, rabbits and dogs
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

"Dogs, deer, rabbits and chickens, oh my!"

That's how Coun. Dean Murdock kicked off an animal-centric committee off the whole meeting Tuesday night.

Councillors unanimously supported bylaw amendments to allow dogs on Cordova Bay beach, rabbit populations kept in check and backyard chickens legal in many more homes. Council also agreed to a ban on feeding deer.

Recommendation to amend a by-law restricting backyard chickens in urban settings in Saanich supported by council Tuesday
CFAX 1070

A recommendation to amend a by-law restricting keeping chickens in urban settings in Saanich was supported by a Special Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night.

Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock says the current by-law only allows for the keeping of chickens on lots of a minimum size of 12,000 square feet

Animal lovers thrilled by new Saanich bylaws
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
By Kim Westad, timescolonist

Saanich council had dogs, deer, rabbits and chickens on their agenda this week, with results that have thrilled animal lovers.

A special meeting was held solely to deal with proposed amendments to several animal bylaws. Politicians received hundreds of emails and letters, some from people who don’t even live in Canada, and residents packed council chambers for the lengthy meeting that saw all amendments unanimously approved.