Experiment in classical conditioning to make quieter chickens

[NorthTexaschick]

Hi,

I just wanted to say I'm aggravated at all those who are accusing you of abusing or mistreating your chickens. SHEESH. You are obviously trying to find the best solution to the noise problem and popping 'em in the hiney with a pellet was your last resort.

Some breeds tend to be noisier than others. You may find a different breed that suits your purposes and is not as much of a sqwawker. There's good info on this site:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Best of luck to you.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

Achickenwrangler#1 :

First, I'm surprized you admit it on line, but misuse of a firearm and animal cruelty - seriously, I may be new but the law is strict about weapons and guess what, stop shooting the chickens.
Second, birds will quiet down with blackout shades, you can try that, and also feed them well at night so they aren't starving when they wake up. Have food and water available when they wake up. They can be conditioned to an extent but you aren't going to do it by distracting them momentarily with pain. First, ask your neighbors if its a problem, maybe it's just your idea it might be a problem.

Lol I'm sorry but an air rifle is not a firearm. I get shot with them all the time because my big brother is a "funny guy". I'm gonna be one eyed one day, I just know it.

And while I couldn't ever shoot my birds- pellet gun or otherwise- I don't see what's wrong with using a squirt gun. Water is a very widely used method in training cats and dogs. Squirt em with a water sprayer to discourage bad behavior. Now chickens are NOT dogs or cats, but a water gun is not something I could view as harmful unless it was a high pressure hose. Besides, it might be a refreshing "punishment" for the heat of a summer day!​

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Lol I'm sorry but an air rifle is not a firearm. I get shot with them all the time because my big brother is a "funny guy". I'm gonna be one eyed one day, I just know it.

And while I couldn't ever shoot my birds- pellet gun or otherwise- I don't see what's wrong with using a squirt gun. Water is a very widely used method in training cats and dogs. Squirt em with a water sprayer to discourage bad behavior. Now chickens are NOT dogs or cats, but a water gun is not something I could view as harmful unless it was a high pressure hose. Besides, it might be a refreshing "punishment" for the heat of a summer day!

I gotta say, I also laughed at that. It's not "misuse of a firearm" - it's a light hit from a bb gun that isn't pumped enough to do any harm. And a water gun. Lets not over react. I don't think what the OP is doing will work, but I certainly don't think he's guilty of all the charges brought against him here.

I'm going to follow this just to see what happens.

 

[bullyforme]

I have three bantam hens and they are positively quiet. Seriously, the only noise they make is a hardly-audible "skree skree" and if they are really frightened, a bubawk at about 2 decibels. Maybe you could reduce your flock and rethink your type of chicken? You could probably keep 4-5 bantams and that would be plenty of eggs for your family.

 

[Fowl97]

I have no comments on what you are doing. But I would be careful and try to find the BB's. those tiny shiny balls will get eaten up fast. Just a heads up. I don't even know if it could harm them but better be safe than sorry. I don't know what aamo you are using but I believe some is lead filled.

 

[ryan820]

Yeah a bb gun may sound bad but if it does, you don't get what a bb gun can or cannot do. I'd use water myself but only because that's easier.

Why all the hate on this guy and his situation? And sure, chickens can be loud but they don't have to be. Mine aren't. And though I don't know everyone's situation regarding their property or land, I applaud the OP for being courteous enough try not to disturb his neighbors. So many are so willing these days to disturb others without any thought or concern.

OP I do not have any recommendations for you but wish you the best. I bet your chicks will calm down for you and if all else fails, sweeten the neighbors with fresh eggs!

 

[southerndesert]

Nope it likely will not work as mentioned and perhaps as part of your experiment you should shoot yourself in the foot to be sure you are not hurting them more than you think.

Chickens do not "think" like animals with more brain matter and run on information coded into them looooooooong ago without the ability to think to themselves "gee I must be quiet of I'll get a BB in the butt"

But they do have the ability to associate that BB with you and lose trust which comes with it's own set of problems.

Sorry, but they are just noisy critters....

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
I'm going to have to completely disagree with you on this one. Trusting in someone is a much higher brain function than learning that making a loud noise is associated with a negative consequence. I've seen plenty of experiments where a chicken can be trained to repeat a behavior when reinforced with food.

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
I'm going to have to completely disagree with you on this one. Trusting in someone is a much higher brain function than learning that making a loud noise is associated with a negative consequence. I've seen plenty of experiments where a chicken can be trained to repeat a behavior when reinforced with food.

OK..... But food and remembering where it comes from is part of their pre-programing, where discipline for natural behavior is not something I think you will find teachable. But again it is natural for them to learn an enemy that hurts them and avoid same.

Best of luck with your experiment and will be interested it the results....

 

[ddmiddle7]

Have you actually tried talking to your neighbors? I was extremely worried about upsetting my neighbors, since I live just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, they are pretty close. I was surprised to find out that one of my neighbors actually really enjoys the sounds they make. He said it reminds him of when he was a kid, living on a farm. My other neighbor told me he doesn't mind them at all...he would rather hear my chickens occasionally throughout the day than the dogs on the other side of him that bark all day and night sometimes. I say you should try and talk to the neighbors before shooting them anymore. I don't believe you can do any harm with a water gun but, it will still discourage your hens from being friendly towards you. Personally I enjoy my friendly chickens, they come up to me and let me pet them if I want. I know they wouldn't do that if I were to shoot them. I would never shoot them with a BB gun. I know they hurt, I have been shot by them many times. Just a little sting to you could be much worse to a chicken.....just saying.

I hope you get the results you want, but what if you don't? (Which I am betting you won't) What's the next step? Like I said, talk to your neighbors and see what they say...If they complain...then I recommend re homing them, for yours and the chickens own good. Maybe do a little more thorough research next time and try a "quieter" breed.