By Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Oliver’s animal control bylaw will soon be amended to permit ducks within town boundaries.
On Monday, council directed staff to bring forth the required changes to the bylaw to allow residents to keep ducks on their property. This stems from a request from a family to continue hosting ducks in their yard primarily for food security reasons. The family of six loves those duck eggs.
Currently, the bylaw does not permit ducks, only chickens and other domestic animals.
While no expert on ducks, Director of Development Services Randy Houle did some research for council. He noted that domestic ducks have a higher rate of egg laying than wild breeds, and their wings are typically shorter (leading to their inability to fly). He pointed out the Muscovy breed does not quack.
“Ducks drink and excrete more water than chickens or turkeys,” Houle said, adding that extra measures are required to maintain litter floors. “They (ducks) are a bit more high maintenance,” he pointed out.
Houle said the City of Nanaimo allows ducks, which have accounted for one or two complaints in the past five years (for escaping from a property). “They have far more dog complaints than duck complaints.”
As for placement of duck pens, Houle recommended a minimum of 10 feet from neighbouring properties.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said when he and his wife sit down for dinner, the discussion of late turns to ducks. He wanted to know if ducks need a pond or still water, which raises the concern about mosquitos.
Houle said ducks basically need a partially enclosed structure, fencing and some form of water device.
Councillor Dave Mattes said he actually visited the duck home in question and spoke to the neighbours. One had no problem with the fowl, while the other “had no idea” of the operation. In any case, it’s critical that the pen be located at least 10 feet from the property line, Mattes said. He pointed out the ducks in this case were in the side yard making noise constantly during the 10 minutes he was there.
“I know I’m not going to win when it comes to saying no ducks, and I’m fairly confident that won’t happen. But I really think it’s important that we put some regulations in there, because I was there, they are noisy.”
Mattes stated his research revealed that the ducks in question basically sat there, quacked and drank water. “That’s pretty much what they did.” He noted the water they have is not still because there is a circulating pump in use.
In a Facebook response to Mattes’ claims, duck owner Rob Graham said Mattes only visited the neighbours, not his property where the ducks are housed.
Graham noted the suggestion of a 10-foot distance from the property is not an issue. “But to tell homeowners they don’t have a decision where they put ducks doesn’t fly.”
He noted that chickens do not have any restrictions other than how many per size of the property. “This is all that we are looking for, the same guidelines but to include ducks.
Mayor Martin Johansen said he supports people having ducks in the municipality but noted there must be clear rules on that.
