Why it is Important to Resist the Temptation of Buying Pet Chicks and Bunnies for Easter

Happy Spring! Although I know that spring seems to be far away the snow refuses to give up, it is the time of year to start thinking about planting gardens, and all the chores and tasks that come with the end of winter. Easter is also around the corner, and if you don’t celebrate Easter, you can still welcome the beginning of spring with open arms!

Spring is usually celebrated with the arrival of robins, and daffodils peeking their leaves through the soil. It is also the time of year when lambing, calving, and babies galore arrive, and it is fun to wander around your local farm store to see what new offerings they have in the way of baby chicks, ducks, and bunnies. However, if you are planning to get them as pets for a child, please rethink this idea. Baby animals cannot handle the rough and tumble antics of small children. If you are purchasing one as a gift for a child that does not reside in your household, please confer with the child’s parents to make sure that they are welcoming of the idea and can provide a suitable habitat, food, and supervision that will be needed.

Small children naturally want to touch, hold, and play with baby animals. However, they also like to touch their faces, grab a snack or drink, and not wash their hands. This can cause infections that are the same as the food-borne illnesses that you can acquire from improperly cooked food. Salmonellosis isn’t the only food-borne illness that can be caught by handling baby animals. Chicks, ducklings, goslings, and poults can cause several food-borne illnesses just by being in contact with them, their bedding, or their feces. Salmonellosis, Campylobacter, and E. coli infections can all be contracted by handling birds without washing your hands. Other diseases can also be contracted, for example, Avian influenza or histoplasmosis (1).

If you plan on purchasing chicks, ducklings, or baby rabbits, please don’t purchase animals that have been dyed in pastel colors for Easter. This isn’t healthy for the animals and shows that they have undergone more handling than necessary. Make sure that you purchase healthy stock, making sure that they come from reputable breeders or hatcheries. People who care for their animals, make sure that they have clean and proper bedding, take precautions against disease, and treat their animals well will go a long way in making sure that your flock or herd will be healthy and successful in the long run. Remember, some birds and animals do not do well alone, so make sure that you purchase more than one if needed.

Prior to purchasing, make sure that you can legally house the animal that you wish to purchase. Many towns and cities now allow chickens, but there are limits and some have regulations on whether you can keep hens only or are allowed to have roosters. Choose a breed that is right for you, as some breeds can be more aggressive than others (1).

If this is your first foray into owning livestock, make sure that you do the research about owning that particular animal. Lambs require different care than rabbits or chickens. Talk to people who already own the animals that you are interested in. See if you can visit their barns, fencing, and other setups. It will give you a better idea of the space it takes, what the cost will be, and how much work will go into the project.

Will you need to have a special diet for your animal? Rabbits can’t live on lettuce alone. Chicks will need grit and starter mash. Pigeon’s diets change depending on what time of the year it is and whether they are breeding or not. Make sure that you also research what types of diets your new animals will need. Nutrition is very important in having healthy and happy livestock. The right feed and supplements vary from species to species and by the age of the animal.

If you are already familiar with the animals, by all means, now is the time to add to your flock or herd! Now is the time to be purchasing chicks to provide meat and eggs for the coming year. Just remember to wash your hands, stay safe, and enjoy the spring weather!

Resources

1. 2022. Backyard Poultry. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/farm- animals/backyard-poultry.html. Retrieved 23 March 2023.