my 6 year old son was feeding mealworms to my 2 hens...:(

[PamB]

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Not so sure special "chicken goggles" are necessary. However, I am an adult and all it took was for me to be distracted for a second and I came VERY close to losing sight in my eye. Wear the glasses

 

[BrattishTaz]

I am legally blind in one eye because a chick pecked me when I was little. My kids are teenagers and have only been around chicken for a year. Despite her being very careful, one of my cockerals jumped up and grabbed my 15 year old's lip. There was lots of blood! My birds are friendly but they are "programmed" to peck anything that moves or shines. I would not allow a young child to interact with them.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I've been pecked in the eye before. It hurts. But what I noticed is that if I a chicken is curious about something like an eye, they will give i a certain "what is that?" look. Try holding something shiny out to them and look at their faces. When you see that look near your face, beware.

 

[The Tinman]

One of my girl loves to jump up on my shoulder and she just waits for me to look up at her and then POP! right in the eye. Sometimes she will even try to reach around and poke me.

 

[emmak]

My very mild and not aggressive hens have pecked at my shoes and at my arm. I've let them know who is boss, but I've also realized that I'm endangering my eyes when I reach down into the feed bucket to dish out food. I guess it's just a matter of thinking like a chicken, and rearranging how I do things in order to protect myself.

 

[BrattishTaz]

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I have noticed that their eyes will dilate just like a cat's right before the go for thier target.

 

[nanawendy]

Interesting BrattishTaz... I'll have to look closer. A little background ... My 20y/o son has been almost totally blind in his right eye since birth,due to a genetic issue. The important part of this is that every pediatric ophthalmologist stressed to the 'enth degree... To protect the other eye. Their point was well taken and Keith always had protective lenses on. Even if they were awkward and dorky. We are so grateful that we were encouraged to go the extra mile to keep his other eye protected. A fling of a rock, a broken twig or bad bounce baseball. You just never know. It's great that your son is not afraid' but encourage his to protect his eyes. The chicken has given you notice... sorry for the intensity, this is very close to my heart.