County Fair, Easter Warning, Big Manatee and North Port News

Sarasota County Fair

Still a couple of days left at the Sarasota County Fair (ends Sunday March 24th). Check out the prize winning chickens, and the baby chicks. Special thanks to Tom Dye who produced some CLUCK flyers that are available and the Kleinschmidt Chicken Tractors are on display.

EASTER WARNING

Easter is approaching and while CLUCK cannot independently confirm the statistics cited in the photo below, it is worth emphasizing that acquiring a pet is not a decision that should be taken lightly or impulsively. This year the stakes are higher because last year the Governor signed into law a change that will allow people to sell dyed chicks.

While weird, the colorful chicks are hard to resist, but don't take the bait. For one thing, these are "straight run" chicks --meaning roughly half will turn out to be roosters (and with average luck it will turn out to be more than half). 

Any pet is a big commitment and should not be undertaken without deliberation and preparation. To find out if you are ready to be a chicken owner, try CLUCK's Are you Ready for Chickens Quiz.

Big News Out of Manatee County

According to the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee County Commission will take up backyard chickens this coming Tuesday March 26th at 10:00 am. This is not a done deal, and local chicken supporters should show up (wearing yellow if possible) but it is encouraging that the Bradenton Herald editorial board has endorsed the idea. Best of luck to our neighbor CLUCK. 

Big News Out of North Port

And in North Port the news is that at  9:00 am on Thursday April 4th, the ordinance drafted by staff will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. For more on this story, click on the highlighted text: Spotlight shifts to North Port. 

Governor Scott Approves Dyeing Chickens!

Governor Rick Scott, shortly after repealing statute that prohibited dyeing of baby animals

According to Channel 10 News, Governor Rick Scott has signed the bill allowing the dyeing of animals, including baby chicks, despite over 4,000 emails asking him not to. The explanation is that the dye job language was tacked on to a major agricultural bill that had other provisions the Governor wanted to implement.

The bill the Governor signed CS/HB 1197 simply repeals Florida Statute 828.161, which read

828.161 Prohibiting artificial coloring and sale of certain animals and fowls; construction.—

(1) It is unlawful for any person to dye or color artificially any animal or fowl, including but not limited to rabbits, baby chickens, and ducklings, or to bring any dyed or colored animal or fowl into this state.

(2) It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, or give away as merchandising premiums, baby chickens, ducklings, or other fowl under 4 weeks of age or rabbits under 2 months of age to be used as pets, toys or retail premiums.

(3) This section shall not be construed to apply to any animal or fowl, including but not limited to rabbits, baby chickens, and ducklings to be used or raised for agricultural purposes by persons with proper facilities to care for them or for poultry or livestock exhibitions.

(4) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.—s. 1, ch. 67-177; s. 953, ch. 71-136.

CLUCK ASKS: Dyeing Chicks -- Totally Cute, Completely Inappropriate, or somewhere in between?

Image from Cuteoverload.com

Although illegal in some areas, the practice of dyeing chicks for Easter holds on in parts of the US, and appears to be common in some other countries. Dyed chicks in China. Dyed Chicks in India. Dyed Chicks in Yemen.  Dyed Chicks in Morocco. Farm Sanctuary produced a video about some dyed chicks they rescued in New York City.

l

What many people don't know is that, at least in the US, the chick embryos s are dyed in the shell before they hatch, not afterwards. The resilient fuzzballs seem ignorant of their skittle-colored get-ups and ultimately grow new undyed feathers.

Here are some concerns:
Since this involves injecting dye into the shell, there is undoubtedly some loss
This practice may encourage people to buy chicks they are not prepared to care for
Frequently people end up with more cockerels (baby roosters) than they bargain for
This practice encourages kids and adults to view living creatures more as toys

Take our poll (on the right at the top) to register your opinions about dyeing baby chicks.