The stages of chicken life

Watching my lot this morning it dawned on me that there were several definite stages to the life of my chooks 

                    Girls                                                                              Boys

Youngster      Timid and a bit scared of their own shadow, but                A bit cautious, but already testing the
                    ready to explore the world, already making friends            boundaries and seeing if they could be
                    and alliances                                                                  top dog

Teenage        Brazen and cheeky, I can run faster than the older            Showing off, strutting their stuff and
                    girls, so the treat is in my beak and catch me if                 doing some serious posing
                    you can

Adult            Settled down and learned some manners now, got             See above
                    their place in the pecking order sorted and life is
                    pretty much well ordered, until mealworms appear
                    on the scene - then its every girl for herself

Old age         A coop matriarch now, able to stop a fellow run mate         See above (it might take you a bit
                    in her tracks with a stare, even got your human                 longer to get going in the morning
                    watching their Ps and Qs round you as your                       on your achy old legs, but you've
                    disapproval is obvious if they get it wrong                          still got it  )