Thinking of raising hens in Toronto? Here’s the full breakdown—from the now-concluded pilot program to current restrictions, exceptions for some households, and what might happen next. It’s a winding journey that reflects concerns for biosecurity, animal welfare, and the deep challenges of urban farming.
1. The UrbanHensTO Pilot: How It Started
The city launched UrbanHensTO in March 2018 as a pilot program allowing select Toronto households to keep up to four hens for personal use—no roosters. The goal was to let residents enjoy fresh eggs and engage in urban agriculture while ensuring strong public health safeguards.([turn0search0](#))
2. Pilot Rules & Requirements
Participants in the pilot agreed to strict terms:
- Hens only (no roosters), and a maximum of 4 per household.
- Use for personal enjoyment and egg production only; neither eggs nor manure could be sold or given away.([turn0search0](#))
- Coops meeting specific standards: predator-proof, well-ventilated, appropriate in size, odor-free, set back from property lines, and enclosed at night.
- Participants had to register with Animal Services and submit to possible inspections. Allowing hens to roam at large could lead to impoundment.([turn0search0](#))
3. Who Got to Keep Hens?
Only residents in designated wards—including parts of Wards 4, 9, 10, 11, 19, and others—were eligible to join. It remained tightly controlled for both safety and administrative feasibility.([turn0search0](#))
4. Pilot Program Ended, But Legacy Lives On
In May 2023, city council officially ended the pilot, citing concerns over avian influenza outbreaks, high administrative costs, and limited veterinarian support.([turn0search3](#)) However:
- Households that already had hens under the pilot may continue keeping them—likely until the end of each hen’s life—so long as they continue to follow the agreed rules.([turn0search0](#), [turn0search4](#))
- The city plans to revisit the possibility of resuming the program in 2025—if avian flu risks subside and cost concerns ease.([turn0search3](#))
5. Today’s Legal Landscape
Outside of pilot participants, raising hens or any chicken in Toronto is not permitted. In fact, chickens are listed alongside other prohibited animals under the Municipal Code.([turn0search8](#))
6. Community Reaction & Local Dialogue
Many residents supported the pilot—reporting benefits like reduced food waste, access to fresh eggs, and mental health perks.([turn0search3](#)) Online discussions express frustration at stopping the program, especially during a time of increased food costs:
“There’s been illegal chickens for years… pay some neighbours off with eggs… biosecurity is a concern with bird flu.”([turn0search2](#))
Critics argue the city bureaucracy, costs, and disease risks outweighed the small gains. Nevertheless, some remain hopeful the program could be revived if Toronto reassesses risk and funding in the future.([turn0search4](#), [turn0search2](#))
7. Summary Table: The Toronto Chicken Journey
| Phase | Key Rules | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| UrbanHensTO Pilot (2018–2023) | Up to 4 hens, no roosters, strict coop and biosecurity rules | Concluded; existing hens allowed until end of life |
| Post-Pilot General Law | All chicken keeping is prohibited city-wide | Enforced; only pilot households exempt |
| Possible Future Reinstatement | Contingent on avian flu risk and city resources | Under review for 2025 |
8. Planning or Petitioning Ahead
- Check if your address was part of the pilot and if you’re grandfathered in.
- For non-pilot households, hen keeping remains illegal—one exception only applies to pilot participants.
- Keep informed—Toronto plans to revisit the program in 2025.
- Advocacy helps. If you’d like to support urban hens—joining consultation processes or reaching out when city staff re-open the topic can make a difference.
- Stay animal-friendly at home. If keeping animals is part of your urban lifestyle, learn from pilot standards so you’re ready if rules change.
9. Final Thoughts
Toronto’s experience with backyard hens highlights how urban agriculture can be both appealing and complex. While the pilot showed promise, concerns about disease, cost, and safety led to its pause. Still, pilots’ participants remain lawfully protected. The door may reopen in the future—especially if city health conditions improve and resources align. For now, hens remain limited to the few residents born out of the pilot—but the debate is far from closed.