Backyard Hen Keeping

Keeping hens can be an egg-straordinary and rewarding experience. The process for obtaining a licence requires training that is offered in the Spring and Summer, but it is never too early to start planning!

If you are interested in participating, follow the steps below.

1. General requirements

  • Ensure that you comply with or are prepared to comply with the following:
    • Hen Keeping Licences require ownership of between 3 and 6 hens, as they are social animals. Changes to the number of hens must be reported immediately to the City of Leduc Environmental Inspector.
    • Roosters are not permitted, nor are pullets (young hens) younger than 16 weeks old.
    • Hens must always remain in a locked enclosure.
    • On-site slaughter or euthanizing of hens is prohibited. If removal of a hen is required, the hen may be euthanized humanely by a veterinarian, moved to a new home, or taken to a licenced abattoir.

2. Neighbour notification

  • Applicants must notify their neighbours with adjacent backyards of their intent to participate in urban hen keeping. Confirmation of neighbor notification must be submitted at the time of application, and must include the contact information and addresses of notified neighbors.

3. Hen keeper training

  • Completion of an accredited urban hen keeping course is required for all hen keeping licences.
  • Licensees must identify a local veterinarian familiar with treating hens.
  • Licensees must also have the support of a recognized mentor. Applicants can find a mentor by contacting any community listed under Resources.

4. Prepare your site

  • The Alberta Animal Health Act requires that any premises where livestock animals are kept obtain a  Premises Identification Number (PID number). This is a free registration through the Government of Alberta. Keep this PID account number handy, as you will need to submit it when you apply.
  • Determine your hen enclosure specifications and location, which you must show in a site sketch, similar to this sample when you apply for your hen licence. Note that the site sketch must demonstrate compliance with setback requirements, and structures must be built to the guideline criteria.
  • Develop an upkeep checklist with daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal tasks to prevent disease, or the spread of disease.

5. Apply

  • Submit a completed application to ecosmart@leduc.ca, and attach all documentation for the previous steps, including:
    • Neighbor notification forms
    • Hen keeping training certificate
    • Mentor and veterinarian information
    • PID Number
    • Site Sketch
    • Upkeep Checklist

6. Application review

  • Approved applications will be contacted and moved to the next phase, whereby the applicant can build their coop to their site specifications. Application approval is not a licence.
  • Once the applicant builds their coop, they must contact the Environmental Inspector for a site inspection. This site inspection will confirm the structures have been built to the guideline criteria.
  • Upon the verification inspection, the Environmental Inspector may grant a licence, which will be emailed or mailed at the preference of the licensee.

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Need help with the application process?
Please call the Ecosmart Hotline at 780-980-7107 or email ecosmart@leduc.ca