40. Kentucky: Dyeing Ducklings
Springtime festivities frequently led to incredibly unethical treatment of small, fragile animals. Street vendors historically used toxic chemicals to dye baby chicks and ducklings bright pastel colors to sell as cheap novelty Easter gifts for children. To combat severe animal cruelty and prevent unprepared parents from impulse-buying a single, fragile bird that would quickly die, the state passed a strict law. It is unlawful to dye a duckling blue and sell it unless the vendor is offering at least six birds for sale at once to a single buyer. This economic barrier effectively protected the animals from casual, irresponsible purchases.