Easter chicks, baby ducks, little bunnies. Chances are good that your local feed store has some in stock. The pictures below were taken with my cell phone at the Big R store in Fountain, CO. Although my pictures are somewhat fuzzy, little chicks, ducks, baby geese and bunnies are undeniably VERY cute.
Should you buy a few? Well, it depends on why you really want the chicks.
Do you think they would make a great Easter gift? This is a very, very BAD idea. Don't buy live chicks. Go find a stuffed animal or something else.
If you live in town, there may be restrictions against owning chickens. Chicks require a lot of care, especially in the beginning. They smell. They make noise. They need to be kept warm and safe. They can carry diseases such as salmonella. They are not very huggable, lovable pets. They grow up. Like any other animal, the adults usually are not so cute. Consider what happens if you end up with a rooster? Roosters make a LOT of noise. They can be aggressive. They are known to attack or jump people, including children. The spurs that grow on the back of their legs are sharp and will draw blood. (I know from personal experience) Depending on where you live, roosters may not be allowed.
Do you want to produce fresh eggs? This is a legitimate reason to have chickens. However, it may be cheaper and less time consuming to simply buy fresh eggs at a farmer’s market or from someone in your area. Personally, I would love to have some chickens yet I know that I don't have time to care for them.
Consideration #1: Are chickens allowed where you live?
For example: 
Colorado Springs, CO: According to the city’s website, a maximum of ten hens are allowed. Roosters are not permitted. Development standards apply for accessory structures to house the birds. The city’s website states, “For additional questions and housing regulations, contact the Humane Society at 719-473-1741 City of Colorado Springs
Fountain, CO: A chicken hen permit is required. Roosters are not allowed. The number of birds allowed is dependent on the size of your lot. A copy of Fountain’s animal regulations and a chicken hen permit application is available at the City Hall in the Planning Department or at www.fountaincolorado.org/planning.
My Dad's Rooster - A Very Pretty Alarm Clock
If you decide that you do want chickens so that you can have your own eggs,
Your local county extension office will be a great source of information. Think local….different climates and altitudes present different challenges. The following link is to the Colorado Extension Service's page listing topics about chickens.
Although the primary purpose of this post is to discourage people from purchasing chicks as Easter pets, please feel free to contact me if you need more information on raising chickens or finding a place to live in the country. If I don't know the answer, I'll help you find it.
Sincerely,
Sondra Meyer, CPA
Colorado Horse Property Specialist
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