Backyard chickens gain popularity in Notre-Dame-de-l'le-Perrot

Raising backyard chickens is catching on in the suburbs outside Montreal, and someresidents who live in town may soon be able to hop on the bandwagon.

The city council in Notre-Dame-de-l'le-Perrot says there's growing interest from residents who want to raise their own chickens.

Right now, only people who live in the suburbs ofNotre-Dame-de-l'le-Perrotcan raise chickens.

But thecity council is considering changing thoserules, so that people living within the city limits can enjoy farm-fresh eggs, straight from their own backyard.

Benoit Aumais raises chickens in the suburbs outside the town. He says caring for a chicken just takes a few minutes a day.

"It's more easy than a cat or a dog."

As for concerns about the noise and smell, Aumais said its hardly noticeable.

"Clean every day and it's no smell at all and it's not noisy except when she lays an egg, he said.

Aumais made a presentation before the Notre-Dame-de-l'le-Perrot city council on Tuesday evening, to explain the basics everything from how to hold a hen, to how to build a chicken coop.

City councillor Jean Fournel says council will be studying the matter.

"If there's a real interest, we'll propose a by-law to permit to raise a few chickens."