We use the game of chicken herding most when it is time to get them back in the run and after playing follow the leader. It also comes in handy when they visit next door and foodie treats are available for “birds”.
Please note that this game is also a version of Follow the leader however your chicken is in the lead and you get no foodie treats.
Equipment
- Wear appropriate footwear, you may have to run.
- Carry a bucket of even tastier foodie treats than are currently on offer, if you have not already tried their usual favourite just give in and use it, you will eventually.
Aim:
The only aim is to get your chickens to go where you want them.
Rules:
- If your destination is the run and you do not yet have the entire flock, make sure you shut the door to the run as by the time you get back the ones you have back at base will have wondered off.
- As soon as you get chicken back to base close the run door behind her otherwise the chickens you do have are highly likely to make a dash for freedom. You will be returning a slightly agitated chicken and agitation can be infectious.
- You may have to herd them back one at a time, you are not as agile as a sheep dog after all!
- If successful liberally dish out foodie treats to your flock as a reward for going where you want them. The obedient ones will have had more treats but they wont complain, they will learn to associate the return home with treats and this will eventually make your life easier.
- At all times remember you love your chickens as they are cute and cuddly and provide eggs. If you are agitated it’s your own fault for forgetting the primary rule.
- Avoid trampling on your plants, it’s not their fault.
How to play
- Find your missing chickens, if you can’t they are playing hide and seek and you will need to switch games.
- Once found, call your chickens and show them the foodie treat, just in case they choose to play follow the leader instead. They will be aware that some of the flock have already had their share and wont be happy about it. If the crowd is smaller than anticipated, one or more of the flock has resorted to playing Hide and Seek, continue with the ones you have.
- Arrange for the chickens to be between you and your planned destination.
- Walk steadily towards your destination with your arms waving about, making sure you run from side to side like a mad thing keeping the flock together if at all possible. If you lose any continue with the ones you have and come back for the others later.
- Continue in this mad sheep dog style dance until you have arrived at your destination, or are exhausted.
- If the run is your destination, throw a handful of your chosen treat in whilst still standing behind your chickens just in case they make a run for it. If they persist in staying free resort to Chicken Divining
Winner
You are the winner when you get your chickens to your preferred destination, if you are not successful or stop due to exhaustion you lose. Resort to Chicken Divining though this maybe be equally unsuccessful as you are now exhausted, if all else fails, conscript someone else to herd them for you and go and have a nice cup of tea, that's the trick.