AND THE COLOURED CHICKS GO...(Do de do)

Robert Schneck's
post about multicoloured chickens the other day reminded me of an obscure incident from my youth.

Back in 1968 (bloody hell, 43 years ago) my family were on holiday in Western Australia, and we visited the Royal Perth Agricultural Show. Amongst the other beasties on display (the most spectacular of which - to me at least - was a tank of sea snakes; animals I have never seen before or since) was a pen of multicoloured chicks.

The signage claimed that they were dyed bright colours to protect them from the predations of birds of prey who would be dazed and confused at the sight of multi-coloured fowl.

Even aged eight I thought that this was highly unlikely. But could it, indeed, be true? What do you think?