Chicken eyeglasses

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1911 newspaper story on chicken eyeglasses from the Spirit Lake Beacon (Iowa) Eye Glasses For Chickens.png
1911 newspaper story on chicken eyeglasses from the Spirit Lake Beacon (Iowa)

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]

Contents

Description and purpose

Chicken eyeglasses were often made from celluloid or aluminum [5] and typically consisted of "two oval panels that fit over the upper beak of the chicken. A pin is put through the nostril to hold the oval pieces in place." [2] Different designs were produced that attached to the chicken's head in different ways. Some were held in place by a strap, [3] some by small hooks into the nares (nostrils) and some by piercing the bone septum between the nostrils with a cotter pin. [6] Due to the piercing of tissue, this last type of design is illegal in some countries. [fn. 1]

Some versions of the devices had semi- or fully transparent lenses, whereas others were tinted, often red- or rose-colored. Other designs were blinders, which are opaque and prevent entirely forward vision. [2] [7] The intended purposes of chicken eyeglasses were to prevent aggressive pecking, cannibalism, and feather pecking.

Chicken eyeglasses are an alternative to beak trimming, which removes approximately one-third of the beak by a cold or heated blade or an infrared beam, usually when chicks are one day old. Eyeglasses are often effective in reducing pecking injuries but cause pain and significantly affect chicken welfare. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Red-tinted lenses

Red-tinted lenses were considered effective in reducing internecine pecking because they disguise the color of blood. [7] As summed up in a 1953 article in Indiana's National Road Traveler newspaper, "The deep rose-colored plastic lenses make it impossible for the cannibal [chicken] to see blood on the other chickens, although permitting it to see the grain on the ground." [12]

Elmer Haas of the National Band & Tag Company, a major producer of rose-colored chicken eyeglasses, whose grandfather had devised wireframes for chickens in 1902, [13] indicated that he believed the purported blood-masking effect of the rose coloring was a myth: "the firm added the rose-colored glasses because it indulged the chicken owners ... [c]hickens are color blind". [13] (In fact, chickens, like other birds, have good color vision. [14] ) The firm had added the rose-colored feature to its glasses in 1939 under the brand name "Anti-Pix." [15] This variety of eyeglasses was more complicated than others because the red lenses were fixed to a hinge at the top of the frame. As the hen lowered its head to feed, the lens swung out, giving it an unobstructed view of the ground. When the hen raised her head, as she would during aggression, the lens would swing down giving the hen a red-tinted perception of the environment. [16]

Rose-colored contact lenses, rather than eyeglasses, have also been proposed to reduce cannibalism in chickens. [17]

History

Detail from a 1903 patent filed by Andrew Jackson Jr. Patent detail-Eye protector for chickens.png
Detail from a 1903 patent filed by Andrew Jackson Jr.

A form of chicken eyeglasses was first patented in 1903 by Andrew Jackson Jr. of Munich, Tennessee, as an "Eye-protector for chickens." [18] In the U.S., they were available through the mail order company Sears-Roebuck or chicken feed stores for a few cents. [19] The eyeglasses are no longer produced by the National Band & Tag Company, but are sought as collector's items. [6]

Using chicken eyeglasses was still practiced in 1973, evidenced by Illinois' The Hawk-Eye newspaper that a farmer had 8,000 chickens fitted with the rose-colored variety. [20] One inventor of a form of the glasses proposed legislation in Kansas to require all chickens in the state to be fitted with glasses, but his campaign was unsuccessful. [21]

On January 16, 1955, Sam Nadler of the National Farm Equipment Company of Brooklyn appeared on CBS' popular primetime television show, What's My Line? [22] The show was in the format of a guessing game, in which a panel attempted to determine the line (occupation) of contestants. [23] Show officials listed Mr. Nadler's occupation for the audience as "sells 'eyeglasses' for chickens". After the panel was unsuccessful in guessing his occupation, Mr. Nadler's identity was revealed, and he stated that his company sold 2–3 million pairs of chicken eyeglasses annually. [24] What's My Line?'s director, Franklin Heller, said in 1958 that the show's "most unusual occupation" over its then eight-season run was "...the gentleman who makes eyeglasses for chickens." [25]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^
    The use of designs where the septum is pierced is illegal in some jurisdictions on welfare grounds. For example, in the UK's Defra Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Laying Hens, provides: "The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982 (S.I. 1982 No.1884) prohibits ... the fitting of any appliance which has the object or effect of limiting vision to a bird by a method involving the penetration or other mutilation of the nasal septum." [26]

Related Research Articles

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Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of harvesting animal products such as meat, eggs or feathers. The practice of raising poultry is known as poultry farming. These birds are most typically members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes. The term also includes waterfowls of the family Anatidae but does not include wild birds hunted for food known as game or quarry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicken</span> Domesticated species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasses</span> Form of vision aid

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beak trimming</span> Trimming of a birds beak, usually performed on domesticated birds

Beak trimming, or beak conditioning, is the partial removal of the beak of poultry, especially layer hens and turkeys, although it is also be performed on some quail and ducks. When multiple birds are confined in small spaces due to farming practices, they are more likely to hurt each other through pecking. Beak trimming aims to avoid damage done by pecking, although the practice is criticized by animal welfare organizations and banned in several European countries. Beak trimming is most common in egg-laying strains of chickens. In some countries, such as the United States, turkeys routinely have their beaks trimmed. In the UK, only 10% of turkeys are beak trimmed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domestic turkey</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broiler</span> Chicken bred for meat

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery cage</span> Agricultural technology

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abnormal behaviour of birds in captivity</span>

Abnormal behavior of birds in captivity has been found to occur among both domesticated and wild birds. Abnormal behavior can be defined in several ways. Statistically, 'abnormal' is when the occurrence, frequency or intensity of a behaviour varies statistically significantly, either more or less, from the normal value. This means that theoretically, almost any behaviour could become 'abnormal' in an individual. Less formally, 'abnormal' includes any activity judged to be outside the normal behaviour pattern for captive birds of that particular class or age. For example, running rather than flying may be a normal behaviour and regularly observed in one species, however, in another species it might be normal but becomes 'abnormal' if it reaches a high frequency, or in another species it is rarely observed and any incidence is considered 'abnormal'. This article does not include 'one-off' behaviours performed by individual birds that might be considered abnormal for that individual, unless these are performed repeatedly by other individuals in the species and are recognised as part of the ethogram of that species.

Vent pecking is an abnormal behaviour of birds performed primarily by commercial egg-laying hens. It is characterised by pecking damage to the cloaca, the surrounding skin and underlying tissue. Vent pecking frequently occurs immediately after an egg has been laid when the cloaca often remains partly everted exposing the mucosa, red from the physical trauma of oviposition or bleeding if the tissue is torn by her laying an egg. Vent pecking clearly causes pain and distress to the bird being pecked. Tearing of the skin increases susceptibility to disease and may lead to cannibalism, with possible evisceration of the pecked bird and ultimately, death.

Toe pecking, an abnormal behaviour of birds in captivity, occurs when one bird pecks the toes of another using its beak. This behaviour has been reported in hens and ostriches. Studies have shown that hens exposed to toe pecking have significantly enlarged adrenal glands, indicating increased physiological stress. Hens exposed to toe pecking will step off a raised platform more quickly than control hens, possibly suggesting a heightened fear of elevation. They have also been reported to show depressive behaviour when afflicted by toe-pecking. The act of toe pecking leads to open wounds which are viable for infection and disease to develop. In severe forms, toe pecking can be classified as a cannibalistic behaviour and has been reported as a cause of mortality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannibalism in poultry</span>

Cannibalism in poultry is the act of one individual of a poultry species consuming all or part of another individual of the same species as food. It commonly occurs in flocks of domestic hens reared for egg production, although it can also occur in domestic turkeys, pheasants and other poultry species. Poultry create a social order of dominance known as pecking order. When pressure occurs within the flock, pecking can increase in aggression and escalate to cannibalism. Cannibalism can occur as a consequence of feather pecking which has caused denuded areas and bleeding on a bird's skin. Cannibalism can cause large mortality rates within the flock and large decreases in production due to the stress it causes. Vent pecking, sometimes called 'cloacal cannibalism', is considered to be a separate form of cannibalistic pecking as this occurs in well-feathered birds and only the cloaca is targeted. There are several causes that can lead to cannibalism such as: light and overheating, crowd size, nutrition, injury/death, genetics and learned behaviour. Research has been conducted to attempt to understand why poultry engage in this behaviour, as it is not totally understood. There are known methods of control to reduce cannibalism such as crowd size control, beak trimming, light manipulation, perches, selective genetics and eyewear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furnished cage</span>

A furnished cage, sometimes called enriched cage, colony cage or modified cage, is a type of cage used in poultry farming for egg laying hens. Furnished cages have been designed to overcome some of the welfare concerns of battery cages whilst retaining their economic and husbandry advantages, and also provide some of the welfare advantages over non-cage systems. Many design features of furnished cages have been incorporated because research in animal welfare science has shown them to be of benefit to the hens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dubbing (poultry)</span> Procedure of removing the comb, wattles and sometimes earlobes of poultry

Dubbing is the procedure of removing the comb, wattles and sometimes earlobes of poultry. Removing the wattles is sometimes called "dewattling".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blinders (poultry)</span>

Blinders, also known as peepers, are devices fitted to, or through, the beaks of poultry to block their forward vision and assist in the control of feather pecking, cannibalism and sometimes egg-eating. A patent for the devices was filed as early as 1935. They are used primarily for game birds, pheasant and quail, but also for turkeys and laying hens. Blinders are opaque and prevent forward vision, unlike similar devices called spectacles which have transparent lenses. Blinders work by reducing the accuracy of pecking at the feathers or body of another bird, rather than spectacles which have coloured lenses and allow the bird to see forwards but alter the perceived colour, particularly of blood. Blinders are held in position with a circlip arrangement or lugs into the nares of the bird, or a pin which pierces through the nasal septum. They can be made of metal (aluminium), neoprene or plastic, and are often brightly coloured making it easy to identify birds which have lost the device. Some versions have a hole in the centre of each of the blinders, thereby allowing restricted forward vision.

Empathy in chickens is the ability of a chicken to understand and share the feelings of another chicken. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) Animal Welfare Initiative defines and recognizes that "...hens possess a fundamental capacity to empathise..." These empathetic responses in animals are well documented and are usually discussed along with issues related to cognition. The difference between animal cognition and animal emotion is recognized by ethicists. The specific emotional attribute of empathy in chickens has not been only investigated in terms of its existence but it has applications that have resulted in the designed reduction of stress in farm-raised poultry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pecking</span>

Pecking is the action of a bird using their beak to search for food or otherwise investigate an object or area by tapping it. Pecking can also be used by a bird to attack or fight another bird.

References

  1. "Eye Glasses for Chickens" (Fee required). Spirit Lake Beacon. July 15, 1911. p. 10.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ask Anne & Nan: Eyeglasses For Chickens" (Fee required). The Indiana Gazette. January 22, 1999. p. 9.[ dead link ]
  3. 1 2 Gold, Anita (July 18, 1986). "Blinders Make A Spectacle For Chicken-hearted Collectors". Chicago Tribune.
  4. "Lee's Summit Historical Society Museum Glasses for Chickens Unity Village". Freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
  5. "Ask the Gazette" (Fee required). Charleston Gazette. August 11, 1944. p. 6.
  6. 1 2 "Company History". Nationalband.com. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
  7. 1 2 3 Helsel, Marge (December 17, 1980). "Old Chicks Learn New Tricks" (Fee required). Altoona Mirror. p. 8.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. Gentle, M.J.; Hughes, B.O.; Hubrecht, R.C. (1982). "The effect of beak-trimming on food-intake, feeding behaviour and body weight in adult hens". Applied Animal Ethology. 8 (1–2): 147–157. doi:10.1016/0304-3762(82)90140-7.
  9. Duncan, I.J.H.; Slee, G.S.; Seawright, E.; Breward, J. (1989). "Behavioural consequences of partial beak amputation (beak trimming) in poultry". British Poultry Science. 30 (3): 479–488. doi:10.1080/00071668908417172. PMID   2684349.
  10. Gentle, M.J.; Hunter, L.N.; Waddington, D. (1991). "The onset of pain related behaviours following partial beak amputation in the chicken". Neuroscience Letters. 128 (1): 113–116. doi:10.1016/0304-3940(91)90772-l. PMID   1922938. S2CID   37075517.
  11. Gentle, M.J.; Hughes, B.O.; Fox, A.; Waddington, D. (1997). "Behavioural and anatomical consequences of two beak trimming methods in 1- and 10-d-old domestic chicks". British Poultry Science. 38 (5): 453–463. doi:10.1080/00071669708418022. PMID   9510987.
  12. Nussbaum, Lowel (June 25, 1953). "Sunglasses for Chicken Purchased Here" (Fee required). National Road Traveler. p. 5.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. 1 2 "Fireplug Dog Tags Hit Dust" (Fee required). Journal News. May 15, 1977. p. A-2.[ dead link ]
  14. D. Osorio; M. Vorobyev; C. D. Jones (October 13, 1999). "Colour vision of domestic chicks" (PDF). The Journal of Experimental Biology. 202 (Pt 21): 2951–9. doi:10.1242/jeb.202.21.2951. PMID   10518476.
  15. "Advertisement: Glasses for Chickens?". National Band & Tag Company. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  16. "Like glasses for chickens". The Natural Poultry Farming Guide. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  17. Levine, S. (November 23, 1989). "He sees fortune in chicken contact lens". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  18. U.S. patent 730,918 , Application: December 10, 1902; issued: June 16, 1903.
  19. Fun with science: 46 entertaining demonstrations , George Barr, p.132
  20. "Chicken Specs Prevent Pecks" (Fee required). The Hawk-Eye. November 21, 1973. p. 24.[ permanent dead link ] "Glasses offers". Facebook .
  21. "Invents Goat That Bucks". The Spokane Chronicle. June 22, 1910. p. 20.
  22. "Overview of What's My Line? episode #241". tv.com (CBS Interactive). Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  23. Masterman, Len (1987). Television Mythologies: Stars, Shows and Signs. Routledge. p. 21. ISBN   978-0-203-99443-6.
  24. What's My Line?. Season 6. Episode 20. January 16, 1955. CBS.
  25. Mercer, Charles (March 16, 1958). "TV Panel Bares Gamut of Jobs" (Fee required). Big Spring Daily Herald. p. 5–D.[ permanent dead link ]
  26. Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (July 2002). "Mutilations" (PDF). Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Laying Hens: 21.