Regulations

Under specific regulations, backyard hens are permitted in the District of Saanich. If you are interested in backyard hens, familiarize yourself with the relevant sections of  Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556. Information on hens begins on page 18.

Also, see Quick Reference to Saanich Poultry Regulations for an overview.

Important Hen Care Information

Before acquiring hens, review the following information on hen care and health. 

• Basic Hen Care
• Chicken Composting
• Bird Health Basics
• Other Resources

See our Chicken FAQs for more information on keeping chickens in the District of Saanich.

Hen Registration

Your hens must be registered with the District of Saanich. Download the Hen Registration Form and email your finished copy to planning@saanich.ca.

You are also required to apply for the BC Premises ID Registration of Livestock and Poultry Premises. Access the application form here. 

Administered through the BC Ministry for Agriculture, Food & Fisheries, the Premises ID Program gathers information about the location of animals, the types of animals at each location and how to contact individuals responsible for those animals. Premises ID is an important tool for protecting the health and safety of your animals. In the event of an emergency, Premises ID information improves the ability to rapidly notify animal owners, contain animal disease outbreaks and more effectively respond to natural disasters like floods or fires. Find more information on the program here.

Other

• See the 2010 Backyard Chickens Survey results.
• See the 2010 Online Open House results.