While the City of Moose Jaw is on the cusp on banning backyard chickens, the largest city in the country is about to let residents take part in a pilot project.

Toronto will launch the pilot project in some neighbourhoods to study the impact on four wards, over the next three years. A mid project study and report will then be presented to council before the remaining 18 months will be carried out. Under the project guidelines, residents can keep four chickens and must be registered with the city while roosters are not allowed.

Over the summer, Moose Jaw City Council decided against allowing backyard coops and voted against a pilot project that would allow a handful of residents to take part.  Last week, council was set to approve the bylaw that would introduce the new animal bans but it was delayed after a passionate speech in favour of allowing honey bees in the city limits.  Council has agreed to re-examine their inclusion in the ban.