Baby chicks, lambs, and Easter

Yup, I'm here for part 2. Holidays are simply not a good time for animals.

Like bunnies, baby chicks are a popular gift for Easter, though, just like bunnies, they shouldn't be. Tonight's Fireside Chat (7pm EDT) will focus on the content shared here in this blog. Join me live and share your thoughts or ask questions.

Why baby chicks are not gifts:

• They are sentient beings who require special care, their value is not gone the moment a child is bored with taking care of them

• They require special housing, food, and veterinary care. Some towns and cities do not permit chickens to be kept in a backyard, even if in a coop.

• Chickens are flock animals, raising a chick on their own can cause emotional distress

• We hear so much about how cute chicks are, what happens when the chick has grown and is no longer considered cute by the family?

• Many chicks are left at poultry farms once they have grown up and the family who took them in no longer wants them. People may think they are safe there but they in fact are likely euthanized as the risk of bringing disease into a flock being raised for food (and thereby a commodity to the farmer) is much too high.

• Speaking of disease, chicks can carry salmonella, those handling chicks are at risk of contracting it.

• Chicks are small and delicate, even well-meaning children can squeeze too hard or accidentally drop the baby.

What can you gift your children instead?

• Vegan candies in the shape of chicks

• Stuffed chicks

• Plan a trip to your local farmed animal sanctuary, let your kids meet chickens who are living their best life, properly cared for and able to be the truest versions of themselves

Why did I mention lambs in the title? Do people gift those too?

Not that I can tell but lambs are a focus of many Easter meals, especially their legs, or "chops." Lambs are on average 10 weeks old when sent to slaughter, though the average life expectancy of a sheep is 10-12 years. Sheep are mammals so, like cows (and humans) they only produce milk because they have had a baby and they form strong bonds with those babies. It is often assumed that sheep are not as mistreated as other animals raised for food because the image of sheep most people conjure up is a flock on a grassy knoll, free to roam and play. All animals raised for food are exploited and harmed from birth through slaughter (for example: practices like tail docking and castration without anesthesia.)

We do not need to gift or eat animals to celebrate the holidays. Tune in tonight at 7pm and share your thoughts then come back here tomorrow, I'll share some great vegan recipes you can make to create a kinder celebration.