Put on your thinking caps and get to work solving the case of KC Chicken, a beloved troublemaker who recently went missing from Campus Frankenforst. Solve riddles, discover clues, and find KC Chicken before time runs out!

The Case of the Missing Chicken is a combination of chicken vision-related puzzles and storytelling. As you make your search around Campus Frankenforst, you will learn more about how chickens perceive their environment.

You, a well-known chicken detective, are hired to find KC Chicken and figure out why he went missing. Equipped with 'Smart Glasses', the cutting-edge technology pioneered by Campus Frankenforst, you can spot hidden clues and problem areas within the barn. You only have 60 minutes to find him before he is gone for good. Can you solve the case before it is too late?

Play the game here!

Did you know that chickens have a much more vivid view of the world than humans? They are tetrachromatic, meaning they have four types of cone photoreceptor cells in their eyes, while humans only have three. In addition to cones sensitive to long (red), medium (green), and short (blue) wavelengths, chickens possess a fourth cone that’s sensitive to violet and ultraviolet (UV) light.

This extra violet-sensitive (VS) cone allows them to see a broader and richer spectrum of colors, including UV wavelengths that are invisible to us. Imagine being able to see thousands more colors! This specialized vision helps chickens navigate their environment in ways we can only imagine.

References: Hart (2001), Ödeen & Håstad (2003, 2013), Håstad et al. (2005).

The images were captured using the UV camera on our smart glasses. While they don’t perfectly replicate how chickens see their world, they offer a glimpse into what we might be missing. Notice how some feathers appear especially bright and how the flower petals stand out against the rest of the plant. Although we can't know for certain how chickens perceive these details, it's likely that their world is even more vivid than what we can imagine.

Chickens cannot see thermal infrared light, but it plays a big role in their well-being. A thermal infrared camera helps monitor temperature changes in both chickens and their environment. Chickens have an ideal body temperature between 104-107°F (40-42°C), and any deviation from this range can indicate stress, illness, or poor living conditions.

The surrounding temperature also has a significant impact. If the barn is too hot, chickens can suffer from heat stress, leading to dehydration or even death. Conversely, if it's too cold, they might experience hypothermia, affecting their growth and immune system. Thermal cameras allow farmers to quickly spot these issues, identifying areas in the barn that are too hot or cold.

In terms of disease prevention, early detection of abnormal heat patterns on a chicken’s body can indicate infections or inflammation, allowing for faster interventions and healthier flocks. Using a thermal infrared camera can ensure your chickens stay within the right temperature range, leading to a happier and healthier flock.

Chickens not only have superior color vision compared to humans, but they also enjoy a much wider field of view. With eyes positioned on the sides of their heads, chickens can see a large portion of their surroundings at once. Their field of view is estimated to cover between 300 and 330 degrees, though this can vary depending on breed, individual differences, and even obstructions like feathers.

This expansive visual range is crucial for survival. It helps chickens detect predators, locate food, interact with other chickens, and navigate their environment with ease. Essentially, their wide field of view acts as a built-in defense mechanism and ensures they're always aware of what's happening around them.

References: Prescott et al. (2004), Graham (2007 & 2009), Dawkins (2002).