- Thread starter
- #11
Pajaro
In the Brooder
- Nov 13, 2017
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I am definitely going to try clicker training for the chickens.
Your reasoning, in doing so, is sound. Chickens do everything so much faster than dogs, that correct timing is much more difficult to achieve. There is a greater chance of reinforcing the wrong behavior through poor timing.
I can see why using the clicker for chicken-training reduces the chance of that happening. For example:
Just this morning I was working with a bantam silkie who is reticent about getting too close to people. She seems to lack confidence in general. In the process of desensitization, I call her to me (my birds all know their names and respond accordingly). She must move closer to me in order to get a reward. So I verbally praise and treat.
My timing must have been off because now she thinks that she must cock her head a certain way as she moves toward me.
My 'circus bird' candidate is a white-crested black polish poult. I love the Polishes for this kind of training. They confident and learn quickly. They are people-oriented. They are inquisitive and playful. That seems to fit the bill for more complex engagement. I keep the crest trimmed to a mullet cut for better visual cueing. I know there are many chicken breeds that have 'the right stuff'.
Thank you for the xylophone video. I noticed the birds were attracted to the silver rivets rather than the musically active part of the key.
That behavior must now be extinguished and the correct behavior reinforced:
1) The handler needs to make those rivets the same color as the key it is associated with.
2) A very distinguishable black circle needs to be drawn on the center of each key.
3)The food reward must be placed in the center of the black circle.
4) After proofing the exercise, the circles can be removed.
Your reasoning, in doing so, is sound. Chickens do everything so much faster than dogs, that correct timing is much more difficult to achieve. There is a greater chance of reinforcing the wrong behavior through poor timing.
I can see why using the clicker for chicken-training reduces the chance of that happening. For example:
Just this morning I was working with a bantam silkie who is reticent about getting too close to people. She seems to lack confidence in general. In the process of desensitization, I call her to me (my birds all know their names and respond accordingly). She must move closer to me in order to get a reward. So I verbally praise and treat.
My timing must have been off because now she thinks that she must cock her head a certain way as she moves toward me.
My 'circus bird' candidate is a white-crested black polish poult. I love the Polishes for this kind of training. They confident and learn quickly. They are people-oriented. They are inquisitive and playful. That seems to fit the bill for more complex engagement. I keep the crest trimmed to a mullet cut for better visual cueing. I know there are many chicken breeds that have 'the right stuff'.
Thank you for the xylophone video. I noticed the birds were attracted to the silver rivets rather than the musically active part of the key.
That behavior must now be extinguished and the correct behavior reinforced:
1) The handler needs to make those rivets the same color as the key it is associated with.
2) A very distinguishable black circle needs to be drawn on the center of each key.
3)The food reward must be placed in the center of the black circle.
4) After proofing the exercise, the circles can be removed.
American comedian and actor, Milton Berle, once said:
