We have a routine at our house. It changes time with the changing of the seasons but it always starts out the same. I put on my rubber boots, put some freeze dried meal worms into an old Folgers can, traipse into the yard and call out, “Bedtime for Birdies!”
The chickens know exactly what this means. They actually look forward to it every day. When they hear “Bedtime for Birdies,” they know that the day is almost done. Time to go roost. The end of another successful day of being a chicken.
What goes on at “Bedtime for Birdies,” is that I enter the fenced in area of the chicken yard and empty the Folgers can of those worms onto the ground on the inside of the chicken tractor. The chickens literally push and shove their way into the tractor so they can get first dibs on those worms. Mmmmm, tasty!
When we first introduced the baby chickens to this ritual over the Spring, the babies had a difficult time understanding just what they were supposed to do. It probably took an entire week for them to catch on but catch on they did! They love “Bedtime for Birdies!”
Peter, the Rooster, sets a very fine example of leading the way into the tractor. See, Peter will not obey for anybody except me. He attacks both #1 son and MFH (My Favorite Husband). I personally think that is because both of these guys have teased Peter. I do not take any guff off of Peter. I have chucked those Folgers cans and him and yelled at him. Peter knows better than to try any monkey business with me.
When I enter the chicken area, Peter looks at me, turns his head so he can look at me with one beady little chicken eye and I look him right back. I say, “Peter, it is ‘Bedtime for Birdies'” and he immediately turns around and walks into the tractor. The hens follow him meekly into the tractor. I then shut the door and wish them a good night.
Chicken are so funny! They crack me up!!!
Last night, Greta, my Barred Rock hen (she is very pretty but rather stuck up) decided that she did not want to go to bed. I was walking her around the tractor (it is a game she plays every now and then) when Peter popped out of the tractor. He decided to help me. He is the man of the chicken tractor after all.
Peter can be a little aggressive with Greta. He has gotten himself in trouble for this in the past. Greta is afraid of him. Greta started squawking when she saw Peter and I knew I would have trouble getting her into the tractor with Peter’s help. I looked at Peter again and said to him, “Peter, I said it was ‘Bedtime for Birdies.'” I was rather firm with him. He gave a chicken sigh, turned around and went obediently back into the tractor. I finished the loop with Greta and she, too went peacefully into the tractor. I shut the door. Wished them good night and came into the house. Laughing. Those silly, silly chickens!!!