Kids Chasing Chickens, Opinions?

[wfiles]

I totally agree with all of you that say that the kids would get thier butt spanked for treating any animal badly. That said, maybe you should look at intent. My 3 year old knows he better not chase the chickens, but he loves to run beside them and thinks they are racing him. It brings him so much joy that I have a hard time getting mad while he is yelling "Their racin me, their racin me!". The chickens go right back to scratching in the yard and don't seem to upset.