The Chicken Kissers and the Poultry Brats
Anyone who is interested in chickens has seen the surprising uproar that the Chicken Chick’s video has spurred. I say surprising because who would have thought that a bunch of people, all in love with the same thing, can lash out so quickly at each other. I know I’m not wrong about this: you all love chickens and this is your common ground, but it’s starting to feel a little stuffy in here, and I just gotta tell ya, I’m not impressed with either one of you.
I won’t let on which side of the spectrum I swing toward, but I will say that I am always so disappointed in the so-called experts. In this case, I have picked up on the righteousness that reverberates from those who are a part of the larger organizations, and in turn, The Chicken Chick’s alleged uneducated comments have caused the poultry giants to snub the backyard chicken owners (as if a backyard chicken owner is a bad thing). Yes, they may have a thing or two to learn, but they have probably had to go out of their way to learn how to raise a chicken without much assistance, so who knows what valuable knowledge they do bring to the table.
This all reminds me of how I felt when I tried to buy my first horse, or simply asked a question about dog breeding. Immediately, before I was able to gather any additional information, I was slammed. It is even worse on the internet nowadays, opinions fly, and experts emerge from their couches, faces aglow from their smartphones, as they bully anyone who has even the most simple question. Even better, someone posts a sweet photo of a pet and it is ripped apart, no doubt leaving the loving pet owner in tears, doubting their ability to care for their pet, and defending themselves. They expected receive a rush of compliments from the photo of their fur baby all snuggled up with them.
I see it all the time in facebook groups that are initially meant to bring together those with a common interest. Posts start out with phrases like, “Please be kind” or “Please don’t judge” and end with the individual getting ripped to shreds, admins having to remove the post, and no assistance was given. Novices know the risk being bullied and ostracized from the community if they don’t roll over and show their green bellies immediately. And that won’t even save them in most cases.
Novices know the risk being bullied and ostracized from the community if they don’t roll over and show their green bellies immediately.
How then, are the amateurs, who are the future of the hobby, supposed to learn anything if they are cut off the moment they say something incorrect? Because, let’s face it, if someone is passionate about their newfound interest in chickens, the taunts, and tisks are not going to discourage them, they are only going to push these newbs to pursue other avenues of educating themselves.
Look, I’m not here to say the Chicken Chick was right or wrong, but I am very ashamed at this quaint little chicken culture in which I felt very much a part of a few days ago and proud to be. Today, I am turned off completely. Let’s isolate this incident as just one person making an incorrect or offensive comment. We can instead be the bigger person, and be kind in correcting by educating, and not bullying. Then, let us keep in mind the fact that one person is not representative of all chicken owners. When we start labeling people, we start creating new ways of harming each other.
Chicken Kisser? Wash your dirty mouth, Poultry Brat!
See, it doesn’t feel very good, does it? Let’s not be the newest group of animal lovers that becomes divided due to vanity and naivety. Our chickens wouldn’t want it that way. What would they say? Always remember, birds of a feather, flock together.
