We're a nation of pet lovers, and since the pandemic, that has only increased as we spend more time at home with our furry and feathered friends.

In the third in our Me and My Pet series, kmfm Breakfast presenter Garry Wilson introduces us to his three rescue chickens.

We've been giving homes to rescue chickens for a few years now...

We got the latest trio a few weeks ago.

Misty, Friday and April had spent the first 18 months of their little lives laying eggs in tiny cages with no natural light, no night time to sleep and with no space to move about or flap their wings.

We got them from the British Hen Welfare Trust at Biggin Hill who find new homes for them once they're no longer profitable.

Chickens are great company...

It's very relaxing just watching them peck about and they all have their own personalities. If you let them roam the garden they'll help get rid of the slugs but they will trash your lawn with their scratching.

Although it is totally worth it they do take quite a lot of looking after. They need cleaning out and fresh bedding (straw not a duvet) and of course feeding too. The costs do add up but you do get the odd free egg which taste better than any you ever bought from the shop.

Read last week's column featuring panto favourite, actor and comedian Lloyd Hollett and his cats from Thanet Cats in Crisis here.

For days out across Kent click here.