How to Target Train your Chicken

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One of the first steps to training your chicken is target training them. This is an awesome trick as it can be trained to slightly skittish chickens with no contact at all. Target training is useful for many tricks and can be used instead of luring, also providing more stimulation.

Make sure to train chickens one or two at a time. Preferably still keep the chickens close to their friends to avoid them feeling extremely uncomfortable. Also avoid catching a chicken to take them to the place you will train. If the chicken is tame you should be able to pick them up without running or chasing them. If they are not tame, they should be lured into the training area to train. Chasing or catching chickens can break bonds.
If you do not have a clicker, a retractable pen can be used instead. The clicker should be introduced before hand to avoid spooking the chicken. If the chicken is scared use a quiet clicker or mark the behavior by saying "yes" or another word. Marking is when you say something or click when the wanted behavior(pecking the target) and reward after.

Treats should be used exclusively for training and should be changed to keep the chicken motivated. Make sure to keep training sessions short (up to 5min) and jackpot(giving a large reward) at the end of the session. This ensures the chicken is excited for the next training session as it remembers it as a positive and exciting experience. If a chicken is getting bored or frustrated, end the session immediately by doing one last jackpot trick. Signs the session should be ended include the chicken cleaning it's beak on the ground (indicating they are not hungry), not eating the food as quickly as in the beginning of the session, and not caring to train and walking off.
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Good luck training your chickens!
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