Georgia's State Bird Battle
Most state birds have been the symbols of their states for decades- but every now and then, a bid is put in to change it.
In Georgia that bid may ruffle some feathers!
Chris Cunningham said, "I was just sitting on my deck one day and the brown thrasher was in the back yard and I was thinking about it, the state bird. And I was thinking- how important is the brown thrasher? I've been in the chicken business all my life."
Cunningham wants to flip the birds. He's trying to convince state lawmakers that chickens belong in the statehouse, rather than the henhouse. Cunningham wants to replace the current state bird- the brown thrasher, with the Cornish Chicken- and some folks seem to think it's a great idea.
Tommy Shields from Flinstone said, "I don't know who ever decided to make the brown thrasher the state bird of Georgia anyways. I don't know if you've ever seen one but they're kind of an ugly bird and they don't make a very pretty sound. At least with the chicken you get something for your money with the chicken. You can eat the chicken or you get eggs."
Shields is the owner of Flintstone Farm and Garden Supply and also raises chickens. He says why not make the chicken Georgia's state bird.
Kris Sherrill said, "I would do it. I have raised meat birds, for that purpose. And I would do it again. It doesn't bother me at all. It doesn't bother me at all."
Cunningham said, "The chicken's been good to the state of Georgia and it's time for the state of Georgia to do something for the chicken, I think."
Nothing official has been brought to state legislators.yet. But Chris Cunningham says he will keep his ''Flip the Birds'' campaign going. However the Georgia Conservancy has also started a counter campaign to keep the brown thrasher on its pedestal, and the chicken on the table.
