There is a long history of animals as gifts/prizes such as for dowrys in marriages.
A better argument would be that the animal doesn't care (because it is an animal).
Corn value of production (2011 crop year) $14.5 billion
Soybeans value of production (2011 crop year) $5.50 billion
Cattle and calves, cash receipts (2011) $3.41 billion
Hogs, cash receipts (2011) $6.70 billion
And a rooster? Can I get it processed (plucked, gutted, and in a bag ready for a pot)
Thankfully, the motion has thus far been shot down in my immediate area, but I think it has passed somewhere.
And there are still a few properties that have been owned by the same family for longer than the modern livestock laws have been on the books, and thus they are permitted to keep sundry animals. I rather enjoy the llamas. :-)
Also anyone know if butchering services are included?
I can't think of anything more amusing than 4 neck-beard hackers winning a cow at a hack.
As for the people complaining about prizes --- why don't you donate something more enticing than cow, chicken, and rooster?
