Experiment in classical conditioning to make quieter chickens

[AZ Heat]

Personally, I think this sounds like an interesting experiment. Please keep us posted on if it works.

And for the record, when I was young I got shot plenty of times with a BB gun from older brother and friends, except with more than just one pump (mostly shooting at each other). And except for the non-stop twitch, occasional uncontrollable barking and my wooden leg, I'm perfectly fine...

 

[sutillman]

I'd be curious as to how you modifiy your children's behavior.

 

[matimeo]

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Are you asking for real or are you assuming that because I use a behavioral modification on an animal I also beat my children?

 

[Country Hen]

I'm really apalled that you would take to shooting your chickens with a bb gun. We're supposed to be protect the smaller creatures of this world, even if they annoy us. Please find another home for your hens before you injure them more severely.

 

[matimeo]

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People need to take a chill pill! Did you read the any of the previous posts besides the first one? You are making the erroneous assumption that I have in some way injured my chickens. Jumping to conclusions is a bad habit to get into.
On a side note, I like to eat chicken, so I don't know where you get this idea that we have to "protect" all the smaller creatures.

And just to be clear- I like animals and my hens are spoiled.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

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I think that's a little much

 

[Redcatcher]

I've trained a few animals in my day and I don't think you'll have much success. While the chickens are vocalizing, they are probably engaging in a number of other activities at the same instant. They would need to sort out and associate that it is the vocalizing that is causing the negative stimulus and nothing else. I think all you're doing with the BB gun is distracting then long enough to stop the noise. Nothing is learned.

 

[Auscal]

My two 15 week old pullets free range on my back lawn for a hour or two each morning & evening. I don't wan't them on my porch (only two steps up from the lawn) so, have "trained" them not to come on the porch by using, what is technically, negative reinforcement. At first, I would tell them "get off the porch", and use the water stream from a spray bottle on them. Now, if they start up the steps, I can tell them to get off the porch, and they do When they were learning, on occasion the water stream came from the window - so, not always negative association with me.

Obviously, a different situation to that of the OP, but, just a confirmation chickens can learn from "the dark side", not just from positive reinforcement

 

[galanie]

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[Redcatcher]

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What? No glass eye?