Guelph/Eramosa council is still on the fence when it comes to backyard chickens.

Council had a chance to discuss permitting chickens or hens in backyards of smaller agriculturally zoned and rural residential zoned properties but opted not to give the green light, instead waiting for another report.

At Monday's committee of the whole meeting, Mayor Chris White was pleased with the decision to stand pat for the time being.

"The report needs to include impact to bylaw, etcetera, and some of the concerns and difficulties that some townships have had when they've done this. Like if we're going to do this let's do it right right out of the gate so we aren't running around like a chicken with our heads cut off," White joked.

Coun. Mark Bouwmeester raised concerns of what entering into the residential side of this would look like.

"You delve into the residential and the density goes up so there's a couple more issues. I think I mentioned before this past winter, having a fox in my backyard, so I can only imagine there's probably a few more steps if you were to go into residential," Bouwmeester stated.

Staff tentatively ruled to limit hens and chickens to properties with at least an acre of space were council to opt in.

White brought to staff’s attention it would be crucial to make sure the hens are being taken care of.

"Some people get chickens and it's like when you get a dog for your kid who takes care of it for three weeks then it's your dog. Chickens are live animals and need to be maintained and cared for," White said.

The planning committee report will drive council's next steps.

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