chicken soup for the sleep...

I do love my chickens, really I do. Its just that for some unfathomable reason, they've decided that their principle purpose in life is to wake me up at 6.30am. Winter has just ended, and the sun is rising earlier and earlier. I dread to think what time I may be waking every morning this summer thanks to their assistance. The thing is this; I know they're doing it for my attention, because even if the food bowl is full they still stand outside my bedroom window clucking away, then follow me enthusiastically around the garden. I've forgotton all my animal psychology, its 6 years since I did my A-levels. So, if I respond to their noisy behaviour, do I risk reinforcing it?! See, keeping chickens isn't as simple as you might think!