Are the days numbered for Frank the Shrewsbury Chicken?
A weather predicting chicken is at the centre of a renewed debate on backyard chickens in Chatham-Kent ahead of this year’s Groundhog Day.
For last six years on the Saturday that follows Feb. 2, “Frank the Shrewbury Chicken” has perfectly predicted the arrival of spring along with owner Mark Wright.
“It’s serious of course, yes, for me anyway,” Wright said. “And Frank's demise could be coming along soon too you know.”
An emotional Wright said he has until Feb. 11 to find new living arrangements for Frank and his other chickens after local bylaw enforcement informed him he couldn’t keep the birds in his backyard pen.
“I have been served to cease and desist,” Wright said. “But I can't sell them right now because of the Avian Flu. You can't take him to an auction or you can't take him to a slaughterhouse, which I wouldn't do anyways because I couldn't see my pets killed.”
Wright said he and Frank still plan to put on their prognosticating performance on Saturday, Feb. 4 while municipal council discusses the matter next week.
Franks the Shrewsbury chicken in Shrewsbury, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
“I've had these chickens around here for 22 years. I never knew there was any kind of a bylaw,” Wright told CTV News. “There is a petition from the residents in my favor, being forwarded to the council and administration now that Chatham-Kent is doing a survey to find out how people feel about having backyard chickens.“
Earlier this month, South-Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci put forward a motion for discussion and a vote at the next council meeting asking for a community survey to be conducted regarding backyard chickens.
Several petitions have started circulating in support.
“Just looking for community feedback,” Ceccacci said. “Obviously, there's been a lot of talk about backyard chickens in our in our area. Considering a lot of urban, more urban centers have looked at that direction. I think it's important to look at what other communities are doing and look at what our community thinks.”
Shrewsbury, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (Chris Campbell
Meantime, staff have been asked to make a report on the topic that’s due back in May.
The previous council voted not to legalize backyard chickens in 2020.
“I do definitely understand people's concerns, but I think we got it a little wrong the last time,” Ceccacci explained, “We just sat around the council table and kind of made a decision. I think it's important to look at that community feedback, get what the people think and look at what our surrounding areas are doing and kind of go from there.”
Ceccacci noted the rising cost of food and demand for more sustainable living has increased interest across the municipality regarding backyard chickens.
“Talking to some councillors, I think that the appetite might be a little bit different this time through. But I think it's also important to go through the feedback and the process, because at the end of the day when you're changing bylaws, there could be costs associated with changing things and I think it's important we look at everything as a whole.”
The next municipal council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Ford to recall some pickup trucks in Canada over tail light failure
Ford is set to recall some pickup trucks in Canada due to potential tail light failure.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.