A bylaw preventing Calgarians from keeping backyard chickens is not a breach of equality rights.

That was the ruling of a provincial court judge when convicting Paul Hughes of violating the bylaw.

Hughes admitted to breaking the law in 2006, by keeping six hens in the backyard of his southwest home.

He then launched a challenge to the charges in provincial courts.

Hughes won’t serve any jail time and plans to appeal the decision.

He tells The Calgary Herald he’s talked to hundreds of people across North America following his case.