VIDEO: Easter Babies

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Along with the sacred celebrations of Easter some families enjoy traditions like egg hunts and spring parties.

The holiday also brings bustling business to breeders of animals like bunnies and baby chicks.

Caretakers and breeders say this time of the year is their busiest with their most eager customers.

“It’s Easter and babies are the most popular thing so it just kind of comes hand in hand, plus with the sun out, people want to get outside and enjoy, life!” says Terri Tomilson.

“They’re Easter bunnies, is the best way I could say it. Just little kids and parents like to get them for Easter,” says Haley Church.

The Oktibbeha County Co-Op has every baby animal you could think of.

“We sell chickens, ducks, geese, turkies- the majority of them are sold for farm use, you know, people are raising them for eggs or to be on their ponds- but this time of year is super popular, the children love to see them and we’ve had school come sometimes and we’ve actually taken them to some schools. But our animals are super healthy, and we’ve just had a lot of fun with it and sold a lot of animals,” says Tomilson.

Not to mention the adorable, baby bunnies!

Breeders and caretakers want you to know that, though they’re cute, they still require a lot of attention.

“They probably take more care than you realize. But we give sheets that tell you exactly how to take care of them, because like I said, most of them are farm animals and these people have a use for them,” says Tomilson.

“They live a whole lot longer than people think. They live about 10 years. A four pound rabbit will also drink about as much as a 22 pound dog, so they drink a lot of water, they do produce a lot of compost but that’s good for gardening,” says Church.

Knowing exactly how to care for the animals, before buying them, is key.

“Always making sure you have proper heating, proper food, safety from predators are all very important and making sure you’re aware of that before you bring them home,” says Tomilson.

“Look up how to raise them. I do care for them and I do like to make sure they go to good homes, so please do look online and see how to raise them,” says Church.

Workers at the Oktibbeha Co-Op says they’ve sold over a thousand ducks and chicks this week alone.

Categories: Local News

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