Chicken eyeglasses, also known as chicken specs, chicken goggles, generically as pick guards, and under other names,[2] were small eyeglasses made for chickens intended to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. They differ from blinders in that they allow the bird to see forward, whereas blinders do not. One variety used rose-colored lenses, as the coloring was thought to prevent a chicken wearing them from recognizing blood on other chickens, which may increase the tendency for abnormal injurious behavior. They were mass-produced and sold throughout the United States as early as the beginning of the 20th century.[3][4]
- ^ "Eye Glasses for Chickens" (Fee required). Spirit Lake Beacon. July 15, 1911. p. 10.
- ^ "Ask Anne & Nan: Eyeglasses For Chickens" (Fee required). The Indiana Gazette. January 22, 1999. p. 9.[dead link]
- ^ Gold, Anita (July 18, 1986). "Blinders Make A Spectacle For Chicken-hearted Collectors". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Lee's Summit Historical Society Museum Glasses for Chickens Unity Village". Freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2011-12-06.