Weirdest Laws In Michigan

In Harper Woods, Michigan, it is illegal to "artificially color, spray, or paint any bird or fowl or to sell, offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of any such colored bird or fowl," as stated in the municipal code. However, it is also illegal according to Michigan state law.

As reported by Animal Law, the entire state of Michigan prohibits individuals, firms, and corporations from selling artificially colored "chicks, rabbits, ducklings, or other fowl game." Violation of the law is a misdemeanor offense, and those convicted could be fined or otherwise penalized.

Brightly colored chicks, and other small animals, are specifically popular during the holidays. Retired poultry rancher Peter R. Theer said he routinely dyed his chicks before they actually hatched. In an interview with The New York Times, Theer said he simply injected food coloring into the eggs while they were incubating, so the chicks would already be colored when they hatched. Theer said the process does not harm the birds "because the food coloring is perfectly safe."

Animal rights activists have argued that families love the colored chicks while they are young. However, as they grow larger, and require more care, they are often neglected or surrendered to animal shelters. Although he is retired, Theer said he always gave his customers the option to return the birds. Unfortunately, that is not the case with every seller.

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