I guess they think you're alright these days. No higher compliment.It is cooler. That's definitely part of the explanation.
But the hens have turned a corner with respect to me lately. I'm allowed to touch them a little bit now. Every night there's Peggy's ride on the escalator and I give Ivy a gentle pat, sometimes lightly brushing Mary's tail feathers at the same time. And Janet likes to follow me around.