Nine years ago I decided to give up the corporate job and move to the country. The idea was to buy a small hobby farm, run it as a B&B and grow my own vegetables and stuff. After looking around I decided that Niagara on the Lake was the perfect place to buy. The only issue for me – being a single woman was the country. After much thinking, I decided that I needed neighbours. So I bought .7 of an acre in St. Davids and turned the house into a B&B. A decision I have never regretted.
St. Davids was perfect for me to buy a property in. The one I fell in love with was not for sale but a slightly smaller one was. It was a fix-me upper – Big time but I back onto Ravine Winery and that has been the best.
First the garden and then the chickens! This was 8 years ago when I decided that I wanted chickens, the internet was not a evolved as it is today, so where to find chickens to buy. Did I mention that I am from downtown Toronto? I did it the old fashion was – yellow pages and a telephone. These calls were definitely amusing as a city girl tries to find chickens. Only 3 phone calls and very nice people lead me to Minor Brothers – right here in Niagara on the Lake.
Each year Minor brothers gets delivery of chickens for people just like me that only want a few. They come as either lay ready (approximately 16 weeks old) or just chicks. Now I do not have the patience for the little chicks so I buy the lay ready. The number I buy has grown over the years, starting from 6 to this year 15. Probably a little much but I seem to lose a couple each year to foxes and other things.
All I know about chickens came from www.backyardchickens.com , my chickens run around the yard (and my neighbours) and even take a walk along the sidewalk. They have become amusement for my neighbours and any that do not like them – I just give them fresh eggs and win them over.
At present Niagara on the lake does not have any by-laws about backyard chickens, I think that if you have the property or you buy a hobby farm there are no issues.
One of the by-laws in Niagara on the lake is about selling things from your home or property if you are not zoned for it. Next time you are around watch for signs that say “Fresh Eggs” or “honey”.
For a list of small hobby farms for sale in Niagara on the Lake click here.