Turner Valley and Black Diamond Town councils approved a one year back yard hen pilot project. It allows 20 residents within their communities to house no more than 4 chickens each from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015. Participants will be monitiored quarterly by peace officers with additional monitoring at 6 and 12 month intervals by town staff and surveying neighbours. Approved participants will be penalized for exceeding hen limitations, not maintaining sanitary coops and for slaughtering hens within town limits. Residents wishing to participate can apply within their town office between July 1 to 18 with a registration fee of $50.