Training chicks

[Sarevan]

My buff orpington chicks are 3 weeks old now and am introducing them to different foods. Mostly chick mash, with small meal worms. I found our dog training clicker, (didn't work so great on the dog he is still an idiot.)

I have the idea of when I put in food or change the water to use the clicker to call them to me. When they get a bit older use it to announce treats. I thought IF I can get them to come to the clicker it would be easier when I have to gather them up when they are bigger.

Has anyone tried doing this kind of training on chicks? Currently they hear my voice and become noisy wanting attention.

They are a big difference on the batch from last year, know more about raising chickens may be the reason. To me they seem more intelligent from the ones last year. Making them into Pavlov dogs for experimenting on getting a behavior from the clicker seems like it could be promising. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Realtree4]

You can definitely train them! Whenever I call "here chick, chick, chick, chick" my hens come running from every direction expecting treats! My mom stopped by the other day and just said "hi Chicks" and they followed her everywhere. So word of advice, when they're trained and you call them, just have food ready

 

[3riverschick]

great advice. You can also use finger tapping with the above regimen. As you call and offer them treats, drum you fingers , tapping lightly from behind the treats. Or you can cup your hand, with the treat underneath and drum your tapping fingers. Then when they come running, lift your hand so they spy the treat. That way they associate your hand with good things.
Drum-tapping : Like you see people do when they are nervous. Gently tapping fingers in succession starting with little finger and progressing to pointing finger.
Best,
Karen