Backyard chicken pilot project scratched by Calgary council

City council has once again balked at the idea of allowing Calgarians to raisehens in their yards.

The proposalto permit the chickens in 20 backyards for one yearwas scratched in a 9-6 vote on Monday.

The pilot project was pitchedby councillors Ray Jones and Gian-Carlo Carra with the idea that if itworked, it could expand throughout the city.

Jones and Carrafirst suggested the planearlier this year, saying thereis growing support among Calgarians for wider access to sustainable, local food sources.

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But the idea didn't get off the ground. Some councillorssaid they wanted to know more before approving the project.

Backyard chicken coops have been a tough sell in Calgary. The idea has been debated several times in the past, including another proposal in 2010 which was rejected.

Several cities across Canada allow backyard chicken coops, including Victoria andVancouver, while Edmonton and Red Deer have recently approved pilot programs.

Councils inToronto and Halifax have opted not toallow raising chickens in those cities.