Experiment in classical conditioning to make quieter chickens

[whoacowboy]

No, I don't think these are bad attempts of trying to change them. I can see what you mean. But if the gun doesn't work, do you have another option? Also, what if you aim incorrectly and the bb winds up somewhere else than the rear end? Then you have another problem.

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
I'm using a squirt gun. I think they actually dislike a squirt more than the BB anyway. In fact, with one pump they could hardly feel the bb and sometimes they wouldn't even move. I didn't want to pump it up any more and risk hurting them so I'm just sticking with the squirt gun. Believe me, my intention, as I have stated, has never been to hurt my chickens.

 

[whoacowboy]

If chickens can associate the squawks with the water gun, and nothing more, than I think it's alright. But as someone posted previosly, hopefully they don't associate your presence with fear or water spraying everytime you approach them. It's obvious you love chickens and are willing to take care of them and still keep harmony with your neighbors. However, talking is their form of communication, after all, and you don't want to take their personality away.

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
I always have the option of just keeping them in spite of how noisy they can be and hope the neighbors don't get sick of it.
And as far as misplacing a bb, I'm accurate enough that wouldn't happen. I admit that using the bb gun was probably a bad idea on my part that came without thinking it through and realizing their would probably be other, safer methods of deterring.

On another note, I also do a nice owl impression and I'm thinking of using that as a deterrent to. If they associate predator noises with being rambunctious in the morning, maybe it would deter them.

 

[matimeo]

Quote:
I only do it when they're screeching at an unholy hour. Never at their eggs song and never when they're just bawking around.

 

[whoacowboy]

Maybe experiment wasn't the right word to post. Even though you are trying to find a solution or discovery if their behavior can be changed. Sometimes an animal experiment puts a vision in peoples' heads of torturous or inhumane.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have been lurking on this thread and found most of the responces interesting views into the human psyche.

In your situation, I probably would have tried the same thing. You were honestly trying to solve a problem and keep peace with the neighbors. Too many people here have the idea that "it's my property and I can do what I want and tough tiddlies to those that don't like it". And the "it's their nature and you can't change it" is true only to a certain degree. While you can't teach a chicken to sing and dance, you may be able to condition them to be quieter in the morning.
I give you a thumbs up for being considerate of your neighbors.

Hopefully, you have found the stimulus for the loud chicken demands and the new schedule works to keep the peace in the neighborhood (and your sanity).

 

[centrarchid]

Most experiments involving animals are not torturous. Use of term "experiment" in this thread does give those doing legitmate research with animals something to avoid being associated with. Better term or phrase would be a change in care regimen in effort to modify behavior.

The use of BB gun even though not intended to cause harm and probably did not could get OP into situation where law enforcement and judicial system will act if someone complains enough as gun will be the operative word when government guys come a calling.

I have done less than wise with a BB guns on our prize Duroc boar hogs as a kid so efforted to temper my assault. Grandpa was my law enforcement when he saw golden BB's arch through air into hog lot causing targeted boars to flinch. Grandpa backtracked to two giggling boys sniping from seed storage room window 100 feet from hog lot. No harm to boars but not so can be said for brother and I's backsides.

 

[ll]

Why do you say it is the only one that can work for me?

you read my post incorrectly -

understandably because of all the feedback you've been given, but this is what I typed:

rehoming only that one could work for you.

good luck​

 

[AZ Heat]

Sometimes we think our chickens are louder than they really are, particularly when concerned about bothering the neighbors. I used to go outside early in the morning when they were making a lot of noise and through scratch out there to quiet them down. I thought for sure the neighbors would be getting upset. Then after several months, I was taking a caged chicken into the backyard and my neighbor saw me. He asked if I was getting a chicken to keep in the backyard. He had no idea that I already had some. At that point I stopped worrying so much. They've never said anything the 2 years have had them. I doubt most of my neighbors even know I raise them.