I poke my chickens with a stick too when they are at the far end of their little hen house and I can't get them to come to me. I'd rather not get fertilizer all over my pants, so I have to reach in with a stick to shoo them out.

On a side note, have you ever tried to catch a White Leghorn single-handedly? If you need a good workout, or you just hate sitting around all day, give it a try. . .You won't hate me one bit for recommending it.?