My suggestion, FWIW: Make it a contest between *both* of the boys and the clock.

"If the two of you can work together to get the chickens penned up within N, I'll give you 50 cents each."

(For sensible values of N, e.g. 90 seconds, three minutes, whatever you think is quick but reasonable.)

You make it clear that if the chickens aren't penned in that time, no reward to either boy.

Just my two-cent suggestion.
Tim | Homepage | 10.11.07 - 7:25 am | #

This is a wonderful post--my favorite of the day--and let me tell you, mine are 12 and 16 and they still would have been out in your backyard spilling blood over capturing that chicken! I wonder if it ever changes.
Mrs. G. | Homepage | 10.11.07 - 6:22 pm | #