Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulShakin]

Ok, call me crazy, but who in their right mind would just hand out baby chicks to elementary students, who obviously have no sweet clue how to keep them alive?

One of my students arrived at school today with two baby chicks in a box, apparently given to her at her elementary school by someone outside. The two could BOTH fit in the palm of my hand at the same time. No incubator, no food, no nothing.

I always thought chicks and chickens belonged in the country, not in a bustling area like Seoul.

So what's with this? Is it a fad? Is it common? Is it considered ok to hand animals off to children, knowing full well that they will die in a day or two's time?

Just curious.

[liquidmj]

Most of the chicks either die or are given away to someone who can really raise it, but for the few weeks that the children get to keep it, they do learn some important responsibility skills.

[casey's moon]

At least they no longer sell them or hamsters in those grab-it machines.... that was a shortlived atrocity back in 2001 (I wish to god I was joking)

[SeoulShakin]

casey's moon - you've got to be kidding me - I realize you said you weren't joking, but that's still hard to believe.

[okokok]

The chicks were given to them? Or did they buy them?
I witnessed this at a former school. Some girls came to the hagwon with a chick (or other baby bird, I can't remember). They had bought it from someone selling them on the street. Anyways everyone wanted to hold it, and I remember feeling bad for the chick that was getting manhandled. As one student was grabbing for it, they dropped it on the floor. After class another teacher informed me that a student had dropped the chick out of the fourth floor window.
Sometimes life ain't too precious here.

[casey's moon]

[rothkowitz]

Get a cat.

At least a cat can look after itself if thngs go wrong.

[SeoulShakin]

I guess it's one of those things I'll have to get used to, though I don't know if that will happen anytime soon...

One of the Korean teachers asked me why I was so angry about the chicks, and I explained that at home, chicks that small are either still with the chicken, or in an incubator with a temperature regulated heat lamp and FOOD.

He said he didn't realize they needed that. (Food? Come on..)

[flint]

They also used to have live lobsters in the Happy Crane machines too.

[casey's moon]

[Junior]

From hatching, a chick has enough nutrition to last 1-2 days without eating.

Although they probably last less in the pockets of the average Korean schoolkid.

[Bibbitybop]

How do baby chickens taste? I'm sure if you get enough of them, you can make soup. Before anyone hates: If they are gonna die regardless, might as well be quick, painless and for a good cause.

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[Smee]

When I was in first grade all the students had the option of raising two chicks for a week. It was a very interesting experience.

I've seen places in Bundang where they'd sell baby chicks. THere's be huge boxes full of them. They also would sell tiny mice, and tiny rodents that looked and felt like chinchilla, but I'm skeptical about that.

Anyway, I saw these in Migeum and Jeongja. If you go out when school lets out, and take a walk either near the schools or in between the parks near apartment buildings you'll frequently see these little markets that sell snacks, clothes, toys, and sometimes animals.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I haven't seen them in a long time, but you used to be able to buy strings of dead baby sparrows (I think) at festivals. My friend said they taste good.