Colored chicks a hit with kids, but animal rights advocates cry cruelty

Colored chicks have long been a sidewalk novelty, even more so now that they resemble characters from the popular computer game, "Angry Birds."

 

However, veterinarians and animal rights activists alike say that coloring and selling newborn chicks are in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

 

The colorful birds are clearly a hit among kids — on a GMA "News to Go" report Thursday, two boys were shown cradling the chicks in their hands.

 

 

One boy, Andrew Rivas, said “Parang Angry Birds po, ‘yung nilalaro ko po dun sa computer…Ma-cute eh...Iba’t-ibang kulay po.” 

 

Another boy, John Harvey Serrano, said that he wanted to buy six because “maganda po alagaan tsaka mabilis po lumaki.”

 

Aurora Ambrosio, a colored chick vendor, insisted that the coloring process is safe because they use food coloring: “Oo naman [ligtas ‘yan]…Hindi lang pwedeng ihalo sa pagkain.” 

 

But Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Executive Director Anna Cabrera disapproved, saying, “Hindi na-e-educate ‘yung bata ng responsible pet ownership. Ang natututunan lang nila is okay lang paglaruan, pwedeng kulayan, which is mali. Dapat ang tinuturo is ‘yung tamang pag-aalaga, may ginagawa ka sa hayop na hindi nakakasama sa hayop.”

 

“Hindi natin makikita ang cruelty na ito na matigil kung patuloy tayong bumibili ng ibon na nilalako sa daan, at kung ano-ano mang hayop,” she added.

 

Likewise, the Manila Veterinarian Inspection Board said that the business definitely violates the animal welfare act. 

 

“Stressed na, mainit pa, babasain mo pa, ilulublob pa, ica-cage pa, lalong madadagdagan ‘yung stress nila. Madaling mamatay,” said the board’s Dr. Hector Dimaculangan. –Amanda Lago/KG/HS, GMA News