Clicker-training a chicken!

[RocketChick]

Sounds crazy, doesn't it?
Has anyone tried this? I saw a youtube video of it, and it seemed to go very well!
I got a clicker today, and tried it on my chickens. It scares the freak out of four of the chickens, makes one a bit nervous, then the last one is fine with it, that's the one I'm training. Her name is Kodiak. Lovely chicken.

Anyway...I'm trying to teach her to peck an object of my choice which what I'm using is a brown square. I can do it, but she's not actually learning it quite well. Anyone do this before? How do you get it so your chickens aren't scared of it? They're nervous of me now, worried that I have the clicker(except for Kodiak) I feel like I abused them or something!

I don't plan to train all of the chickens, only the ones willing to learn, which so far seems to be Pumpkin and Kodiak(but I would love to teach Peace, my most favorite of them all, but it seems thats not happening)
I know this is sort of unheard but I'm hoping theres somebody out there on BYC, greatest forum ever! haha

In case you were wondering, lol
Kodiak is a 10 w/o jersey giant
Pumpkin is a 8 w/o golden laced sebright.

 

[mechagrue]

I haven't clicker trained chickens, but I've worked with dogs, cats, horses, and hamsters (yes!).

Most clickers are very LOUD. I don't know why they need to make it go ***CLICKA***like that. Try wrapping it in a dishcloth or something, to muffle the sound a bit. At least until they get used to it.

Start out by teaching them that the clicker is their friend. Give them their most favoritest treat, stand about 10 feet away, and quietly click while they're eating. Once they accept that, move a bit closer. Work up to clicking when they take the treat from your hand.

This shouldn't take very long. Chickens are very food-motivated!

 

[Freyja]

I've used the clicker to train dogs but it was way too loud for my cat. Instead I used the click of a ballpoint pen and it was just right. But you don't even need an implement, you can make a clicking sound with your tongue or whatever. Just make sure it's a sound you don't otherwise make when you're around your chickens -- it has to be a unique sound to mark desired behaviors.

 

[RocketChick]

Oh good idea!
The clicker is too loud! I agree! My sister was shrieking at me to stop playing with it haha.
A washcloth to cover it or a pen is a good idea!
Thank you!

 

[trinitymare]

I'm trying it out on some of mine.