A week with the chooks

It is now more than a week since Elizabeth, Camilla and Kate moved in and we are having a great time.
We have had 3 eggs every day. One was soft (it looked like a 'real' egg but the shell was squidgy), otherwise they have been great. Small Boy still loves them as much as he did when they arrived- he goes out with a little bucket every day excited about maybe finding eggs. Small Girl isn't all that bothered, but likes the sudden availability of boiled eggs.

On Tuesday (3 days after arrival) we finally let the girls free range in the garden. They came out of their run and wandered around for a bit whilst being chased around by Small Boy pushing a wheelbarrow, and then were easily bribed back into their run with some corn. Having heard all of the stories about hopw once you let chickens out then it is impossible to get them back in (especially when you are in a hurry) I was puzzled by how easy it was. I thought that the next day would be much much harder, but actually, it has been just as easy every time. I vary the bribe each time (broccoli stalk is current number 1 favourite) and it all seems to be fine.

I do wonder how long it will last though- on my Open University course I am currently learning about the effectiveness of reward charts for children, and how they are largely ineffective in the long run. I wonder if chickens ever get bored with complying for a token reward? Will they start demanding more and more in order for me to put them to bed? Maybe they will work together to attempt to negotiate terms with me, or kidnap Small Boy because they want a larger ration of mealworms?

Maybe. Or, perhaps, I have spent far too much time this week studying whilst looking after the chickens. Chickens can't manipulate me and use me for their own selfish ends, can they?