Why Cleaning a Plastic Coop Isn’t Actually a Chore

If you’ve ever owned a traditional wooden chicken coop, you know the "Saturday Morning Dread." It involves a metal scraper, a face mask to avoid breathing in dust, and hours of scrubbing porous wood that never truly feels clean. By the time you’re done, you’re covered in mess, and the wood is still damp.

With an Omlet Eglu coop, the game changes entirely.

Because these coops are made from high-grade, smooth-surface plastic, the waste simply doesn't "bond" to the material the way it does to plywood or pine. Here is how you get your life back:

The Slide-Out Secret: Instead of climbing inside a cramped wooden box, you simply slide out the dropping tray. Empty it straight into your compost bin, give it a quick spray, and slide it back in.

All Omlet Eglu chicken coops have slide out droppings trays

Pressure-Washer Friendly: Try pressure-washing a wooden coop and you’ll end up with a soggy, rotting mess. You can blast an Omlet Eglu coop with a high-pressure hose or a bucket of soapy water, and it’s sparkling in seconds.

Forget sponges and soaps!

Pressure washing is quick and easy

Zero Drying Time: Wood stays damp for hours (or days in a Canadian autumn), which creates a breeding ground for mold. Plastic wipes dry instantly. Your hens can be back in their clean, dry home before you’ve even finished your morning coffee.

Plastic wipes dry instantly

Pro-Tip: A clean coop isn't just about aesthetics; it's the #1 way to prevent mites and respiratory issues in your flock.

Clean out the nest box and replace bedding easily

Title

Here are some more blogs post you'll enjoy

Are Urban Chickens Legal in Canada?

Keeping chickens is a bylaw issue that is governed at the municipal level. Luckily, in the last decade many Canadian cities have embraced or at least examined the benefits or urban chicken keeping.

The map for backyard chickens in Canada is a bit of a patchwork. While the movement for urban eggs has grown, some major cities have hit the "pause" button due to concerns like avian flu.

If you’re looking to join the ranks of urban chicken keepers this year, here is the current (2026) status of some major Canadian hubs:

The "Yes" Cities (With Rules)

These cities have established bylaws allowing backyard hens, typically requiring a permit and a limit on the number of birds (usually 4–6).

Vancouver, BC: Still a leader in urban poultry. Residents can keep up to 4 hens (no roosters) but must register them with the city.
Edmonton, AB: A very supportive city for urban hens. They require a specific "Urban Hen Keeping Licence" and a completed training course.
Calgary, AB: Operates under an urban livestock licensing program. You’ll need to take a "Chickens 101" course and get a Premise ID (PID) from the province.
Victoria, BC: Very chicken-friendly with long-standing bylaws allowing for small backyard flocks.
Halton Hills, ON: A great example of a smaller Ontario municipality that successfully transitioned from a pilot to a permanent program.

The "Maybe" Cities (Pilot Programs & Borough Rules)

Montreal, QC: It depends on where you live! The city as a whole technically prohibits hens, but several boroughs like Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve have successful pilot projects.
Winnipeg, MB: Recently moved forward with a pilot program. Check with your specific ward to see if you qualify.

The "Paused" or "No" Cities

Toronto, ON: In a disappointing turn for 2026, Toronto’s UrbanHensTO program remains on an indefinite pause. While those already in the program were grandfathered in, no new permits are being issued due to ongoing avian flu concerns.
Ottawa, ON: Generally, backyard chickens are only allowed in areas zoned as rural or agricultural. Urban and suburban residential zones are still waiting for a permanent change.

How do I find out if my city/town allows backyard chickens? Most municipalities have their bylaws available online. A quick Google search should get you to the right website for your local bylaws. If your municipality doesn’t have them posted online, anonymously call your town/city clerk for verification. I say anonymously just in case it is illegal and you decide to keep a flock anyways. No need to be on your town’s radar.

Search your town's website for "Animal Control Bylaw."
Look for "Prohibited Animals." If chickens are on the list, it's a no-go.
Check for "Urban Hen" permits. Many towns have specific applications separate from the general bylaws.

Important Note: Even if your city allows chickens, your Homeowners Association (HOA) or your landlord might not. Always check your specific property rules before you build your coop!

What happens when if I get busted? Your local bylaw officers aren’t wandering around, peering into backyards looking for an outlawed flock of chickens. Of all the people we’ve known to get caught, it was from a neighbour calling in a complaint. Depending on where you live, you may get a warning with a requirement to cease your chicken keeping, a ticket or absolutely nothing. Most towns have better things to do than bust up backyard farms.

I want chickens, but there is a bylaw prohibiting them in my town, what should I do to keep my neighbours from turning me in? Bribes. Bribes as in fresh eggs for your neighbours! Once they taste a freshly laid egg, your neighbours will be hooked and won't dare out you to the municipality and lose their supply of delicious eggs.