I hate easter, especially because of this.

[warrior1]

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. I know what you mean...

The whole thing with the Easter chicks has always bothered me.

[Callalily]

2. Oh, that's so sad! n/t

[Inchworm]

3. they are cute

just wait til they grow up :(

:hi:

[Pool Hall Ace]

4. That is just downright cruel.

And what does it have to do with Jesus' resurrection?

[TZ]

5. those chicks look annoyed!

And thats pretty hard for cute little fluffy critters...

[Breeze54]

6. People are just frigging idiots for doing that...

Isn't that outlawed? I thought it was or is in some states.

[cloudbase]

7. This did it for me.

[Pool Hall Ace]

11. Oh dear

Was that painful for kitty?

[tigereye]

8. I didn't know that was still allowed = it used to be really common

when I was a kid.


Isn't it really bad for them?

[PeaceNikki]

15. Not according to this. And not just done for novelty, but science:

http://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/resources/egg_to_chick/coloring.html

Coloring embryos by injecting dye into eggs before they hatch has been practiced for a number of years. It is done to identify the young of certain hatches or groups. And it makes it easier to observe movements of wild birds (especially water fowl) after they leave the nests.

The process of coloring chicks by injecting dye into the eggs also provides an opportunity to study early feather growth. Juvenile plumage will replace the colored down in about two weeks. As this happens, the dyed background amid new growing feathers provides a constantly changing pattern.

While it is possible to inject eggs from about the 10th to 19th days of incubation, the period from the 11th to 14th days appears to be ideal. Only one treatment is necessary if the injection is done at this time. When injections are made after the 14th day the color usually remains localized because the embryo occupies most of the egg; so it may be necessary to inject the egg in more than one place.

Harmless vegetable dyes, such as food coloring dyes sold in grocery stores, work very satisfactorily. Most of these dyes are sold in concentrations of 2 percent and 3 percent solution and are suitable for direct injection into the egg. No further dilution or sterilization is necessary. Dyeing by injection of the egg will not affect the chick's health, appetite, or growth.

ETA: I do not support, condone or encourage this practice. I was intrigued and curious and Googled the above. Further Googling would likely result in results finding it dangerous and cruel.

[FloridaJudy]

9. I don't think being dyed is bad for them

My granny got two pastel ducklings one Easter that lived in her backyard for years. They were fairly practical pets: ate all the snails and gave her free fertilizer (but no eggs, alas).

The problem is idiots who buy these critters, then dump them when they aren't "cute" any more. Is this somehow supposed to make Jesus happy? "Happy Resurrection Day, Yeshua. Have some abandoned domestic fowl!"

BTW, my son has a pet chicken - all the advantages of the ducks, and he gets eggs. He didn't get her for Easter though. Neither his Atheist/Jewish dad nor his Pagan/Buddhist mom go in for that. No, the budding Taoist bought her on his own.

[trof]

14. Yeah, vegetable dye. Harmless.

They lose their down, grow up white.

[Shine]

10. That's mean and hurtful.

:(

[BarenakedLady]

12. ...

:(

[The Straight Story]

13. Are those Southern CA chicks? They all dye their hair out here

:rofl:

[Archae]

16. Klingon chickens!

"Today is a good day to dye!" ;-)