My various replies would be,
"Professionals put their heads in lions' mouths...would you?"
"Would you pull a lion's tail if you saw a professional do it?"
"I've seen professionals catch six foot King Cobras too but that don't mean I want to try it. "
"Just because the "pros" pull chicken's tails dosen't mean the birds like it at all."Then, grab the kid by the ear and pull him around the yard a few times...see how HE likes it!
"Professional means they get paid to handle chix. It does NOT mean they get paid to handle chix the way they like to be handled..."
I'd also tell the kid you don't want YOUR chickens getting pulled around by the tail no matter WHO does it. If he can't follow your rules with your animals he is not welcome to pet them at all.
***everywhere there's a "he" substitute a "she"
I didn't read very closely
