Noisy BSL Hen-7 months old- help!

[mrskenmore]

TOUGH LOVE Day 11:

So we came home last night and everyone was excited to see us- but not a peep.... they were very patient and quiet until I was ready to go see them. Once I let them out they were happily foraging because it was in the 50's and there were some bugs that made it through the winter all to get eaten by the girls She was good all day and patient at night... could I be making progress?

 

[aart]

I think you have already altered her behavior by stopping the treat thing.
Whether she will stay quiet forever, who knows? <shrug>

I'd carry on like you have been for another week or so,
then maybe reintroduce treats once or twice a week but not with any regular pattern.
Bring the treats in the same container every time, they will learn to recognize it.
Would be interesting to see how this new habit might affect their behavior.

 

[mrskenmore]

I will continue this line of thinking- because if I can get her to be quiet when we come home it would be very helpful- will keep you all posted!

 

[TJ 43]

Have you thought of getting an automatic door opener so she can free range while you & your husband are @ work? & then it closes when they go in the coop @ night.

 

[mrskenmore]

Well she currently has access to the run and coop all day (about 40 sq ft all included) We are going to build her a playground annex once the ground thaws out lol! That will be approximately 12' x 8' (an additional 96 sq ft) in addition to everything else. They will be fully secure in all these areas and be able to come and go as they please. I am hoping that will help the problem- but in the meantime I have worked on her manners with the treats (she once ate a bran muffin out of my husbands hand when he wasn't looking) and it is working! I would love an automatic door opener- but we don't have enough clearance with our current coop design- when it is mild out (65 and above) the pop door will remain open 24/7 since they are 100% secure in the coop and run.

 

[newmarch2014]

Such a nice yard and coop! I bet the run addition will help some but still expect a continued longing for the outside. My hens have a coop and run that is almost 200 sf of space with tons of things to occupy them and still when they see me they come to the gate and request release. One of mine is very insistent (my favorite hen so it is hard to hold it against her) but much like training a dog, if you only give treats randomly, or you only release them randomly they will not learn to expect it as a given that is going to happen. It makes them more compliant in the training in the end.

 

[mrskenmore]

Thanks so much!

I agree completely- this is why we are doing the tough love before building the addition! I am totally trying to break them of the habit that I = treats or the great wide yonder.

 

[TalkALittle]

Mrskenmore, you said earlier that you couldn't find much information on chicken psychology. Try looking for info on learning theory--specifically extinction, extinction bursts, and spontaneous recovery of behavior.

Also, for an interesting insight into animal behavior training and modification, read The Misbehavior of Organisms by Keller and Marian Breland. Together they created Animal Behavior Enterprises and were responsible for training all sorts of animals, including chickens, to do some amazing things. They were students of B.F. Skinner and so applied his concepts of learning theory in their training. The MOA article is available online along with other of their publications as are those of their student, Bob Bailey, who took over ABE when Keller died.

 

[mrskenmore]

Thanks for the advice Talkalittle!

I will research for sure

TOUGH LOVE Day 12:

Came home after they went to sleep so no new findings

TOUGH LOVE Day 13:

Interesting research- left the pop door between the coop and the run open on Frida night- temps were mild and in the low 60's in the overnight. Slept in a little on Saturday morning (7:30 am) and watched from inside on my phone what they were doing... they were absolutely silent... they usually see us because we open the pop door at 6 am- so on this particular day- they were able to go out without us and it was so funny watching their reactions... I think they thought we up and left them! Rest of the day was good- mostly quiet as they were out for about 12 hours free ranging

 

[mrskenmore]

TOUGH LOVE Day 14:

Jolene must have a thing for Sundays- she was being very loud- even when I was standing next to her raking... I really don't know what it is at this point except that she likes to be loud...

I will try a radio with classical music on the weekends and see if that helps- if not I may just have to carry her around in my arms for the rest of her life lol