Over 200 dyed birds seized

Over 200 dyed chicks were seized from a pet vendor in West Delhi after a passer-by spotted him transporting the birds on his cycle.

Anjali Daphtary chanced upon a man with the coloured hatchlings, crammed into a cage, on the rear carrier of his bicycle in East Nizamuddin. She seized the birds and alerted the animal welfare NGO Friendicoes SECA about the incident.

“Some of the chicks had  died due to the heat and trauma of being crammed inside the tiny cage,” she said.

The dye is commonly sprayed on the hatchlings or injected into the incubating egg with food colouring or chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.

“On account of the added colours, these vibrant birds attract the attention of children who treat them as unique toys and pets for display. The dyeing process is a traumatic experience for the hatchlings as they are tossed around in a tub filled with dyes and then rubbed vigorously to ensure that the colour spreads evenly.There is a need to spread awareness among the public to ensure that they refrain from encouraging this cruel and inhumane practise,” said Geeta Seshamani, vice-president Friendicoes.

Adding to the trauma endured by the chicks through the dyeing process, the chemicals are hazardous to their skin causing many chicks to die due to toxicity.

“There is a great demand for these ‘cute’ pets, on account of the added colours. However, once their feathers start to grow out, the dye slowly fades away and the grown hens or cockerels are often abandoned by their owners, who no longer find them attractive,” said Suvidha Bhatnagar, head of communications, Wildlife SOS, Friendicoes’ sister organisation. The rescued chicks are currently under the care and treatment of the NGO.