The Halifax woman has been keeping three chickens in her backyard, located on quiet street of houses in the centre of the city, for nearly a year to eat their eggs.

But she was told last month that she was violating a local bylaw after a neighbour complained the hens' food could attract rats, and she was planning to send the chickens away on Monday.

Her case prompted municipal staff to examine urban poultry, and if a report due out in several months leads to change, she said she might bring her hens back.

"I would hope so - that would be ideal," Hanavan said in an interview Sunday.