My kids now 3 and 5 do not grow attached to meaties. We have hens that they love, but the meaties... They know will leave soon, they still help feed/give treats.. but when showing fiends around, they say it likreit is.. Theses are our hens, they lay eggs, theses other ones, were gonna eat.. I think kids will learn what you teach them..
They will cope better then us I find.. (I'm still new to the meatie world)