The downside of gifting baby chicks & ducks for Easter

Why gifting baby animals is a bad idea

Easter is a holiday that celebrates spring, and when spring arrives, so do baby chicks and ducklings in your local farm supply stores. Some of you may be tempted to purchase these cute, adorable, live little birds and give them as Easter gifts to your children.

But Before you buy, it helps to be informed so those cute little baby chicks and baby ducks do not end up deceased, released into the wild, or worse, making young children sick.

TikTok and Facebook are flooded with videos of cute little chicks in skirts waddling around. Watching these videos makes it tempting to rush out and buy your own baby chicken to dress up! But remember, those babies grow up. 

Understanding the profound implications and responsibilities of buying live poultry without proper knowledge is essential. 

Buying any live animal requires knowledge not just of the animal being purchased but also about that animal’s living conditions and requirements after purchasing. 

I know from experience that kids and adults love baby chicks and ducklings; they are adorable, fluffy, cute, and tiny. 

We purchase chicks and ducklings to add to our already-established flock every year, but we have the knowledge and space to care for them long into adulthood.

 We would be excited if someone purchased my kid’s chicks, ducklings, or a bunny as an Easter gift.

Since we already have the knowledge and area to properly care for them, these animals would be a welcome addition.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss why buying live animals (baby birds or baby rabbits) for Easter is a bad idea without proper education and knowledge since live animals take a lot of work.

After the Easter holiday, animal shelters see an increase in small animals being surrendered. Avoid this problem; be educated about your purchase and the care required.

Avoid impulse purchases. 

 Buying live animals, especially baby animals, should never be an impulse buy. Unfortunately, many people buy these animals on a whim without considering the long-term commitment required for their care and well-being. 

People think these cute animals will make super cute Easter presents. They are right.

Baby animals make super cute presents, but the care they require is beyond what most people can supply.

Before purchasing any live animal for Easter, there are several things that people should consider, such as feed, shelter, and the time to properly care for them. 

Be prepared.

Caring for baby animals requires preparation, including adequate housing (for when they are grown), food, water, and veterinary care (vaccinations).

Baby chicks & ducklings require heat lamps, fortified food, and fresh water to survive, even indoors; once grown, they need an enclosed run or chicken coop.

If you purchase an easter bunny, be prepared to buy a rabbit hutch; they also need special feed and hay.

If a rabbit is left to run around the house, be prepared for chewed electrical cords and litter box training.

Many city ordinances will not allow backyard chickens or domestic ducks, so please be aware of this when purchasing.

You cannot turn pet rabbits (domesticated) or ducklings into the wild; once grown, they will not survive alongside wild rabbits or wild ducks. They lack the skills to survive in the wild. 

With proper preparation, knowledge, and resources, you can raise these animals to receive the proper care they need to thrive.

Avoid Short-Term Interest

The novelty of owning a baby animal often wears off quickly after Easter, leaving many animals neglected or abandoned. 

Baby animals often grow into adult animals with specific needs and behaviors that may not align with the owner’s expectations. As a result, animal shelters and rescue organizations are often overwhelmed with unwanted animals following the holiday season.

Be Aware of the Health Risks involved in purchasing live Animals for Easter

 Handling baby animals, particularly chicks and ducklings, can pose health risks to those with weak immune systems, especially young children and elderly people.

These baby animals naturally carry the Salmonella bacteria, which can cause severe illness if proper hygiene practices are not followed when handling them.

Additionally, with overhandling or improper handling, baby animals may become stressed or sick, leading to the animal passing.

So, what can you do instead of buying baby animals for Easter?

• Educate yourself– It is essential to research any animal’s specific needs and requirements before bringing them home. Ensure you understand the commitment to caring for them and that you are ready to provide them with a lifelong home. Animals take a lot of care, and becoming educated is a good thing.

• Support rescue organizations– Consider donating to or volunteering with animal shelters and rescue organizations instead of purchasing an animal. You never know when the perfect companion may come along.

• Celebrate Easter responsibly– instead of buying live animals as Easter gifts, consider choosing Easter-themed toys or a stuffed animal, and visit a local animal shelter or sanctuary with the kids for safe and educational interaction with animals.

It’s a good idea to consider the welfare of baby animals before giving or receiving them as Easter gifts. While the idea may seem charming, it is essential to consider the long-term responsibility of pet ownership. 

Instead of making impulsive purchases, we should promote responsible pet ownership, ensuring a joyful and compassionate Easter for humans and animals.

Read more about the care of chickens and the many different breeds of chickens.