A group of concerned Toronto chickavores has flocked together to work on getting the City of Toronto to amend its residential bylaws concerning the keeping of chickens (not roosters -- they're too noisy and we want eggs, not baby chicks!).

It is legal to own hens in many Canadian and U.S. cities and it is quite commonplace in Britain and elsewhere in the EU. As we become more concerned with where our food is coming from and how it was raised, owning hens for the purpose of gathering their eggs seems like the logical step after we've planted our own vegetable gardens.

A website has been created by a midtown Toronto resident who is raising three hens in her backyard. "Toronto Chicken," as she calls herself (because she fears being arrested for harbouring contraband), provides information on her hen-raising experiences and on topics ranging from where to buy urban chicken coops to expert commentary on possible health issues (or lack thereof) resulting from the keeping of chicken littles.

Edible Toronto is committed to this project and to gathering support from all sectors of the city. Please visit TorontoChickens.com to read more and to sign a petition addressed to Toronto City Council. If you'd like to get involved, please let us know. It would also be a good idea to contact your own city councillor to show your support for A Chicken in Every Backyard. Click here to find out how to contact the city councillor for your ward.