Tell Tractor Supply to stop selling Easter chicks!

We the undersigned are urging you to stop selling chicks as Easter pets.

Every spring in the U.S., thousands of chicks are purchased as "live toys" for expectant children. Unfortunately, exuberant children and easily frightened chicks are not a good mix. Many end up with broken bones, internal injuries, or die because enthusiastic children simply want to play with them.  Others succumb to malnutrition because their new owners don't know or don't care about what to feed them.  Children can quickly lose interest in their soft, but shy pets. Moreover, once these chicks grow into adolescence they begin to exhibit natural behaviors such as pecking and scratching. Unfortunately, this means many chicks are destined to be abandoned on the side of a road, in the wild--or worse.

I was appalled to see bins of baby chicks for sale at a local Tractor Supply Co. store.  When I asked if the chicks were for sale all year-round, I was told that they are just "Easter items".  Live animals that can feel pain and fear are not "items".  Even though these animals are cared for properly inside your store, the odds of them living a decent life after they are sold are very slim.  Humane treatment of animals has come a long way.  Please help to continue this step in the right direction by discontinuing the sale of chicks as Easter pets.

Thank you for your time and consideration.