Do any hatcheries still sell dyed chicks at Easter ?

[G Mitch]

How is that cruel? I don't get it. It's only a temporary colour for one set of feathers. There's no distress or pain involved for the bird.

Selling them specifically as temporary Easter pets for inexperienced owners is a bad idea, yes, but if the person dyeing them is acquainted with chickens I fail to see why it's so horrible.

I agree . I am against selling them in stores for all the reasons animal rights people state . But for experienced keepers of poultry I have no problem with them dying their own chicks as the process is completely harmless to them .

 

[G Mitch]

You know, that's pretty much the same argument my one-time boss gave against children's fantasy books. I didn't think the argument was valid then, and I don't agree with it now.

The near-accusation is rude and unfounded.

It's a little harmless sparkle and a little paint. Pretty sure the OP's grandchildren know chicks don't come in purple naturally.


Neither is a coop. Or pelleted feed. Or anti-coccid medicine. Yes, it's a little ridiculous. The chicks themselves do not care.

To the OP. Yeah. They're not legal for sale in PA. And I rather see why, as I know a few people who used to get Easter Chicks.

Which does not mean that the technique itself will harm the chicks, only that some people are animal abusers. You don't deserve to be lumped in with those people, and I'm sorry this thread turned into such angry disapproval.

Every egg I ever injected with veggie based food coloring hatched out a happy healthy chick that lived a normal life of a chicken on our farm .

 

[Kalimak]

Chicks are cute as they are, don’t need to be dyed. I personally wouldn’t alter something in an animal just for human pleasure.... not sure you will find much of what you are looking for.

 

[Acre4Me]

But people dye their baby's and children's hair....And that ain't natural!

In fact way back when, my mom had dyed hair, but alas...none of her children had the same color hair. So, for the purposes of a nice family portrait, my 4yo hair was dyed to match my mom's hair just so someone's hair matched hers . Every time I see that pic in her house, it makes me laugh.

 

[G Mitch]

Agreed.
It's still ridiculous and unnatural. And another great example of something done to the animal for the amusement of humans.

Again , I am against these birds being sold in stores for all the reasons the ASPCA is against it . But for experienced poultry keepers who know how to hatch eggs and know the process of dye injection I see no problem . I also have no problem with a licensed hatchery selling them either because people like all of us who raise and keep poultry are for the most part their customer base . Also as I have stated every egg Ive injected hatched a happy healthy chick that eventually lived out a normal life on my farm .

 

[G Mitch]

Chicks are cute as they are, don’t need to be dyed. I personally wouldn’t alter something in an animal just for human pleasure.... not sure you will find much of what you are looking for.

Ive hatched out colored chicks years ago . They ended up as happy white egg layers in one of my laying houses . I don't have a problem hatching my own again , I just wondered if any hatcheries still do it .

 

[Tortoise]

No animal should ever be dyed sorry. Big natural animal lover!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I’ll stick to dying Easter eggs. The practice of dying chicks is archaic.

 

[G Mitch]

I have seen little lambs, Poodles and Chicks coloured. My friends Maltese has had a pink tail all her life and done at the groomers. It definitely won't hurt the animal..

Ive seen poodles colored too . Now there is a trend with people piercing their dogs ears and all as well .

 

[G Mitch]

Well , I didn't start this thread to create controversy I was just wondering if any hatcheries still sold them . At one time there were in fact a few that did . As Ive stated I myself am against them being legal to sell because it entices people with no poultry experience to buy them as toys for kids . Not a good situation for the birds at all . I have no problem with experienced poultry raisers or farmers who know how to do it safely for the unborn chicks hatching colored chicks for the fun of it . To argue its not natural is a silly argument . Its not natural for me to have a thousand day old chicks reach market weight in 8 weeks either . But thats how it has to be done unless you want to pay $15 Dollars for a roaster chicken at Walmart . As for the member who accused me of teaching my grandchildren wrong ? This isn't a a half acre back yard with a chicken coop from some store . This is a 470 acre working farm . My grandchildren are in 4H and FFA . They know how to raise hogs , help cows at birthing time , opperate farm machinery and have hatched literally thousands of chicks over the years . That is all .