Dying baby chicks for Easter? wrong?

[dwegg]

My friends sent me this picture from a store in the North Georgia Mountains and I was very shocked. People at my work were also talking about this practice when they were growing up...I think it is very wrong and i am sure this effects the chicks and ducklings. Everyone tells me that they never lived very long when they got one. If my Feed and Seed did this i would certainly have something to say about it.

Animals are not merely something for our amusement, nor are they disposable.

 

[paddock36]

A friend of mine had some of them. They bought a bunch and sold some. They were all healthy and had no problems. They had the ducks too and had no problem at all.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

This subject is bantied about each year. Yes, it has been done for as long as I can remember. Many of the chicks and ducks don't make it because nobody wants them after they are all grown up, especially since they are the roos and not the hens. Usually only one chick or duckiling is given, and we all know that an only chicklett or ducklett can have a hard life.

Do a search on this if you want to see all the previois years comments. I don't think the dye really hurts them, it is food grade dye that is used.

 

[NonnasBabies]

They dye them with some sort of food coloring now!! They used to actually use dye and they never lived long......

Missi

 

[cactus-hen]

Two years ago my great niece was given 2 "Easter dyed" chicks. They are two of the best laying hens her mom has. Easter chicks survival doesn't have to end badly. I think the poor survival rate for Easter chicks has more to do with individuals not knowing how to care for them than the fact that they were dyed. I don't approve of dyeing them but I don't believe it is an automatic death sentence.

 

[dwegg]

Well that is good to know...I guess the color just comes off when their feathers come through? I would like to know if other people had ever had some and they made it to a hen and lived a healthy life.

Yes i looked up past years posts on this pic...thanks...quite interesting!

 

[angelique_redhead]

I used to have these when I was growing up. They always survived but they also always turned out to be white leghorn roos. Invaribly they got given to friends that had chickens.

: Angelique

 

[dieselgrl48]

I'm not sure what effect if any food coloring has on duckling's or chicks.I would say it would be reasonably safe considering they sell it everyday in our food chain.The problem I have with the Easter thing is parent's buy young children these baby chick's,bunnie's and duckling's for Easter.If you are not willing to house the bird or bunny and have proper care for it and are not thinking about Beyond Easter then don't get them.Most people buying (East Crazy) duckling's has NO IDEA how smelly and messy they are and require constant cleaning.Most young children do not have a concept of how to handle/feed or old enough(especialy under 6) to handle long term responsibilty for live pet's as gift's for Easter.Bunnie's chick's and duckling's require a lot of long term care. I was alway's cautious about selling around easter and basicaly grilled my customers.I wouldnt worry too much about the coloring personaly.My grandson's who are 6years and 18 months have 12 normal colored duckings to learn to raise and love this year. Walk away lol.They cute but your the parent and well it's a living creature and YOU are responsible!

 

[tplummer]

I personally think it is ridiculous. I know it does not hurt them, but the people who buy them think it is cute for now. What happens to them after Easter? Do not agree with it.

 

[lindseythefork]

I might get them if I were in the market for straight-run chicks around that time anyway. I have never ever seen a dyed chick before, though, do they only do that in certain parts of the US? I'm in Northern California.