Animal equality has release a new inquiry captures horrifying scenes of bird suffering and abuse at a Foster Farms hatchery in Stanislaus County, California. This facility supplies chicks to farms managed by Foster Farms, where they are raised and then slaughtered. Foster Farms supplies the major West Coast grocery chains as well as the fast food chain Chick-fil-A. The investigation revealed serious violations of California’s cruelty to animals laws and found that chicks were frequently killed inhumanely or left to die from their injuries.
PROMOTE TRIAL AND DEATH: At the hatchery, the video shows the chicks being left for hours after being mutilated by machines and severely injured, before they are dumped in a trough to be grounded while still alive. Chicks just a few hours old were found with their bodies ripped off and their internal organs exposed. Others are caught or crushed by processing equipment that moves the birds along a conveyor belt. Some chicks got stuck in the hatching tray and were dragged into the washing machine, where they were burned and drowned in hot water.
VIOLATIONS ON CRIMINAL SOFTWARE: The investigation discovered serious criminal violations of animal cruelty laws:
- Newly hatched chicks are crushed or mutilated by automated processing machines.
- The live chicks were found submerged in the water and foamed on the floor below the conveyor belt.
- A chick found alive in a hatching tray has been washed in a washing machine using hot, high-pressure water.
- Injured birds are left in the tray for hours before being dumped into the chute leading to the blender.
- Other birds are dumped directly into buckets filled with shells, rancid yolks and dead birds, where they drown.
NO EFFECTIVE SELF PROGRAM: In addition to disturbing videos depicting cruelty to chicks at the hatchery, the investigation found that the Farm did not have an effective welfare program to protect injured chicks from prolonged suffering. In one example, stacks of trays containing thousands of chicks in eggs were knocked over and crushed, causing the deaths of most of the birds. Management denied the incident, saying it was easy to get replacement birds.
Animal Equality also found that hatchery machinery was operated at a rate that resulted in numerous preventable injuries and deaths of chicks, and that humane mortuary methods were not used. The farm management failed to properly train staff on animal welfare, resulting in chick injuries, pain and longer lasting.
WRONG HUMAN QUESTIONS: Foster Farms slaughters and ships the chickens to grocery stores across the west coast, including Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Target. All of these retailers assure the public that the animals they sell are treated humanely and prevent discomfort, pain, and injury. However, an investigation by Animal Equality found that was not the case and chicks in the Foster Farms supply chain were frequently hurt and injured.
WHAT WE ARE SAYING: “Sean Thomas, Animal Equality’s Director of International Investigations, said: “We are asking District Attorney Brigit Fladager to file charges against the company for a violation of the state’s penal code that prohibits conduct. cruelty to animals.”
CRIMINAL CHARGES: Animal Equality presented its findings to District Attorney Stanislaus, Brigit Fladager and Sheriff Jeff Dirkse. Evidence shows that Feeding Farms causes chicks to suffer needlessly and without prompt and considerate care for their wounds. Animal Equality is requesting criminal charges against Foster Farms for violating California’s cruelty to animals law, which does not waive protections for animals raised for food.
HOW CAN YOU HELP: You can make a difference to your chickens by sharing this survey and putting them on your plate. With your support, we can help these suffering birds and ensure that in the future, the chickens do not face the same cruel fate.
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