Monday, April 6, 2015

Guys who dig chicks.

I love Easter, but one of the things that concerns me about the way we celebrate is when people give animals as gifts, especially to children who can't possibly be expected to care for them. Rabbits are not great for small kids, and in many ways are not what people want in a pet. Dogs and cats are predators, and may look up to you as the boss predator. Rabbits are prey, and may expect to become lunch.

Worse than that are baby chicks. Carnival goldfish are probably more likely to live to a ripe old age than an Easter basket chick. And under the best of conditions, chicks make terrible pets. Sure, they look cute at first.


But after you slavishly devote time to bringing it up, what do you have? A nasty ol' bird that craps on everything.


If you got a chick for Easter and you don't live on a farm, or you gave one to someone who doesn't live on a farm, do the right thing. Get that baby bird somewhere where it will grow up to be a healthy, happy adult.

And then we can have it for lunch!

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