AITA for not wanting small kids to chase/ handle the chickens?

[McChooky]

So I was at a cookout yesterday, and the kids of a family friend, as well as my little siblings, wanted to play with the chickens. They were chasing the chickens around the yard, cornering them, and picking them up. One of the Rhode Island Red girls seemed very stressed, and had puffed up the feathers on the back of her neck in anger. I got into an argument with my mom, who kept insisting that it was a “learning experience”, and that I should “let the kids have fun”. They’re technically my mom’s birds, but I take care of them, and when they’re upset, I’m upset. I just don’t think a bunch of 5- 10 year olds should be treating the animals like that.

Why are you taking care of her chickens when she allows other people's children to harm them ? Maybe you can ask her to sit down and explain this so a 3rd grader can understand her?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If I'm expecting company that includes children, the chickens go in. I don't take chances with my birds. Chasing is definitely stressful to a prey animal!

This is probably the most practical solution.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm more confused on what "learning experience" she even sees here

 

[tlcmurphy]

I'm more confused on what "learning experience" she even sees here

Animal Cruelty?

 

[Squawkers]

It'll be a learning experience if you have a rooster.

Yes I had that happen to me once too. Some little kid was chasing one one of my bantams (she was only 1-2 pounds) I was kind of flustered because she was obviously stressed, but my rooster took care of it for me

 

[Squawkers]

And in case you were wondering, the rooster was a pathetic silkie who didn’t have any spurs. But he got his point across

 

[HollowOfWisps]

As a parent I would be absolutely appalled and embarrassed if my boys started chasing around someone’s chickens. My kids know that you respect animals, always ask before you go into someone else’s barn/coop, always ask before you pet/pick-up someone else’s animals and never put an animal in a situation where they feel threatened. If she wants those kids to learn a lesson it should be about basic respect for all living things. My nieces came to visit once. I explicitly said no one was to be in the barn around the animals unsupervised. Not even 10 minutes later I heard my animals going crazy and came out to them chasing my poultry around. One of the girls managed to grab a bird and got the crap scratched out of her chest. I am not a person who yells so when I raise my voice everyone and I mean everyone knows that I mean business. I very loudly and sternly said “Put down the birds, get out of my barn before I pack you all up, put you back in your car and send you home. I do not give a d**n that you just had a 7 hour trip I will make it 14.” Her mother came over and said “Did you warn her about their nails? She is all scratched up!”. I replied “That bird was defending itself against your little angel attacking it. Maybe your daughter will learn next time to listen to what she is told”. Guess what? That was 3 years ago and I have not invited them back.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Now there's a learning experience!

 

[McChooky]

And in case you were wondering, the rooster was a pathetic silkie who didn’t have any spurs. But he got his point across

My brothers had a great learning experience with our rooster too.
They never chased another one

 

[my spoiled chickens]

IMO, a 5 year old (much less a 10 year) should know to not chase animals. If they were at my house, I would stop the behavior. I would try and catch one of the calmer hens and allow the kids to hold/pet her. After that, I'd tell the kids the chickens are "off limits"... obviously I have no qualms with correcting the kid's behavior .

good idea. once I get a job and start paying for the feed, they will be fully my chickens. until then, I have a Buff Orpington who is rather calm, and I'm thinking she would be the one they can pet.

I think these are both good ideas, my bantam hen, chestnut, comes up and I let the kids hold her if they want, and I capture one of my silkies and let them pet her if they want