Do not buy rabbits, chicks, or baby ducks as Easter gifts.

Introduction

Hi everyone, and thank you for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. As we approach the Easter holidays, I want to discuss something I believe is very important: Do not buy rabbits, chicks, or baby ducks as Easter gifts.

The Inspiration for This Episode

The impetus for this episode came from a phone call I received where the caller asked:

“Do you have any little baby ducks for sale?”

My answer, of course, was no. She then asked:

“Do you know anyone selling little baby ducks?”

Again, I said no, and added that most places often stop the sale of baby ducks around Easter to prevent irresponsible purchases as gifts.

She paused and said, “Oh. Okay, thank you.”

I hung up and immediately thought, that’s exactly what she was going to do. Ugh! I just don’t get it. So let’s go through why rabbits, chicks, and ducks should not be purchased as Easter presents.

Why You Should Not Buy Baby Ducks for Easter

The Reality Behind the Cuteness

There’s no doubt baby ducks are adorable, but they don’t stay babies forever—they grow into adult ducks. A duckling depends on its mother for survival and to learn life skills, such as:

• How to stay safe
• How to get in and out of water
• How to find food

Dependency and Misconceptions

Baby ducks stay with their mothers for 50 to 60 days, sometimes longer. Removing a duckling too early means the human must act as the caregiver—a 24/7 responsibility that most people aren’t prepared for.

Water Safety Warning

According to wildliferescue.ca:

“Baby ducks and geese can go in water briefly, but because their feathers are not yet waterproof, they can become hypothermic (chilled) if they remain in the water more than a few minutes.”

Imagine a well-meaning family placing a duckling in a tub or pool, unaware of how dangerous this is.

Other Concerns

• Malnutrition from improper feeding
• Physical harm from incorrect handling
• Risk of salmonella
• Ducklings often scratch or bite if mishandled

Abandonment

According to Reddit, thousands of ducklings are purchased every Easter, only to be abandoned in ponds or forests. These ducklings:

• Don’t know how to find food
• Cannot escape predators
• Often die within hours or days

This is tragic. Ducks are not toys—they are wild animals deserving of proper care and respect.

Why Chicks Are a Bad Easter Gift

From Chick to Chicken

Like ducklings, chicks grow up. If you’re not prepared or allowed to have a full-grown chicken in your backyard (thanks to by-laws), this is not a good idea.

Health and Welfare Issues

Many chicks are incubator-raised. According to PETA:

“If the right conditions are not met, chicks may become sick and deformed.”

To meet the demand, “chick millers” (my term) mass-incubate eggs. Those deemed unhealthy or unsellable are simply killed.

A hen naturally keeps her chicks for up to eight weeks. This factory-style breeding is nothing short of horrific.

The Aftermath

Just like ducklings:

• Chicks are fragile and need maternal care
• They carry disease risks
• Many are abandoned, left at shelters, or euthanized

Buying chicks only contributes to this cruel cycle.

Why Rabbits Are Not an Impulse Gift

A Recap on Rabbits

I’ve done a few episodes on rabbits and small animals, so if you’re seriously considering a rabbit, I suggest checking those out.

Rabbits are wonderful pets—but they’re not for short-term fun. They come with long-term commitments and specific care requirements.

Rabbits and Rescue Shelters

Rabbits are the third most surrendered small animal to shelters. Why?

• People don’t do their research
• They think rabbits are low-maintenance
• They assume they’re good “starter pets”

But rabbits can live 8 to 12 years. That cute bunny your 10-year-old gets today could still be around when they leave for university.

A Common Complaint

“Do you know anyone that wants a rabbit? It was my son’s, but now he’s away at school and I’m stuck looking after it.”

This makes me furious. A rabbit is not garbage. It’s a living, trusting creature that deserves love and care into its senior years.

Proper Rabbit Care

To responsibly own a rabbit, you need:

• A proper hutch (not just a wooden box outside)
• A balanced diet (hay, pellets, only certain fruits and vegetables)
• Safe bedding
• A bunny-proofed space (they chew—yes, even wires!)

Rabbits are trainable and social but not low-effort. They require the same attention you’d give a dog or cat.

The Bottom Line: No Live Animals as Easter Gifts

So, here’s the bottom line on giving bunnies, chicks, and ducklings as Easter gifts:

It’s a hard NO.

Stick to chocolate, candy, or creative alternatives—like the idea I saw where parents had kids plant jelly beans, and the next morning, lollipops had “grown.” Now that’s fun!

Final Thoughts: Spread the Word

It’s been good having a rant about this because it all comes down to education and awareness.

Those selling chicks and ducklings don’t care about the animals—they only care about money. They are as cruel and unethical as puppy millers, and they should be shut down and fined for animal cruelty.

If you’re still thinking about getting a rabbit after doing proper research, please adopt. Shelters are full of rabbits who were once loved and then tossed aside.

Let’s spread the word, protect these animals, and have a safe and joyful Easter—with lots of chocolate!

Here are more of my episodes on Small Animal Care. Enjoy!

Tagged as: cruelty-free Easter,  baby ducklings,  animal welfare,  baby chicks,  Easter gift ideas,  baby rabbits,  rabbit adoption,  duckling care,  pet care,  Easter pets.