Never give the chicks to the children for pets. A young child's enthusiasm often results in unintentional cruelty. Improper handling can produce broken legs and wings as well as emotional stress for the birds. If a bird dies or is injured, it is not only a traumatic experience for the bird, but for the youngster as well. Moreover, a child's initial enthusiasm fades, and he or she will likely grow tired of the chick as it becomes an adult.
Few people realize how quickly the fluffy yellow down of chicks is replaced by feathers.
If one of these chicks survives, it is often abandoned or becomes a burden on the local animal shelter. Or, lack of care leads to unintentional abuse or neglect, thus unintentional cruelty results. In Illinois, the Humane Care for Animals Act makes it illegal to keep a live chick or duck as a pet.