backyard chickens toronto

This Toronto woman takes a former city councillor's backyard chicken for walks

A Toronto resident has an answer to that age-old question — why did the chicken cross the road?

Jessica Nevin says she has been walking her neighbour and former city councillor Joe Mihevc's backyard chickens for a couple of weeks now.

Mihevc, who now teaches at York and U of T, has four chickens, named after Canadian political parties – Jagmeet Chicken for the NDP, Libby for the Liberals, Tory for the Conservatives, and Green Party Chicken for the Green Party, but Nevin calls that one Rachel Green Party.

Hens are allowed in some neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto.

backyard chickens toronto

Jessica Nevin takes Rachel Green Party Chicken out for a walk.

Nevin lives in an apartment and has no backyard space so she wanted to help out and Mihevc agreed.

"It is something to do during COVID," says Nevin. "Hobbies are hard to come by these days."

She had seen photos of chickens on leashes and searched for a place to buy them online. She purchased one on Amazon, and decided to try it out. Rachel is the only chicken who goes for walks right now and she will only do it for treats.

"They are very food-motivated, so they get little treats for walking," she says. Chickens don't walk like dogs, apparently: She lets Rachel lead the way — Nevin doesn't tug or pull on the harness.

Rachel seems to enjoy getting out to a small park in the Wychwood area. But the people who see the pair along the way also love it.

backyard chickens toronto

Nevin enjoys spending time with the chickens.

"People laugh and take pictures," she says. "The kids love the chickens."

Nevin grew up in the city and hasn't had experience with chickens before. She thinks having chickens in the city is a great way to learn about food production.

Each chicken lays one egg a day, and in return for her help, Mihevc gives her a few eggs, which she says are delicious.

"I made a quiche the other day."

Photos by

Jessica Nevin


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Here are all the 2025 statutory holidays in Canada

Most people in Toronto now think that the city is moving in the wrong direction

Huge stretch of TTC subway spanning 11 stations closed for the next 2 weekends

11 million Canada Post parcels now undelivered ahead of Black Friday

Busy Toronto street kicks off major makeover set to wrap in 2025

Here's how much money you could save during Canada's GST holiday

Huge changes planned to 'transform' a major Toronto street

Canadians working in certain fields can expect a big pay bump in 2025