A SKIPTON man who rescues caged hens has written a new book about keeping chicken as pets.

Andrew Hinkinson, a copywriter and editor for many years, has penned the book Chickens As Pets.

Andrew has a flock of 50 Defra-registered birds, most of which are kept on his allotment at Middletown.

"They're all looked after and each one of them has a name," said Andrew. "I love them all dearly because they're my pets, just like anyone who keeps cats and dogs."

By keeping chickens as pets, Andrew admitted he has developed a "huge emotional bond" with his birds.

These include his Seramas, often referred to as the smallest chickens in the world, which he keeps indoors at his home because of their sensitivity to cold weather.

In Chickens as Pets, Andrew breaks down the misconception that people need to be a farmer or live in the countryside to keep hens.

"Before I started keeping chickens, I didn't how to boil an egg," admitted Andrew. "The aim of the book to explain how to raise chickens as pets, not as livestock. It glams up chickens.

"The book is a response to concerns from chicken keepers who keep them as pets."

Almost all of Andrew's chickens were either abandoned or were caged hens that he rescued.

"These hens were at the end of their productive lives," said Andrew. "It's wonderful to see them getting out and about. They're not used to being free range. It's a way for hens that were having bad lives to now have a good life."

However, the eggs that his chickens produce go to the Franciscan Friars at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bradford, who serve meals to the poor in the city.

"I was looking for a means to give something back and so every week I take the eggs to the monks in Bradford," he said.

Andrew is a supporter of a campaign to reverse a Skipton Town Council decision, which will only allow allotment holders at Middletown and Broughton Road to keep 12 chickens on their plots from October 2015.

A petition started by the allotment holders, which is being circulated and online, already has more than 750 signatures.

"The council needs to invest in the future of the allotments," said Andrew. "Leave our birds alone and let's talk sense."

Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said the council was happy to talk with allotment poultry keepers about their flocks.

"The council is only following government legislation on allotments," said Mr Parker. "In special cases, the council is very happy to talk about these situations."

The 209-page book, Chickens As Pets, was published by Spellbinding Media in September and paperback copies are available at spellbindingmedia.co.uk, on Amazon or Waterstones. It is also available as an eBook.