Skip to content

Chicks Dropped Live Into Mincer at Chicken Supplier of Kroger, Arby's

This video shows the sort of suffering that buying chicken supports.

Chicks Dropped Live Into Mincer at Chicken Supplier of Kroger, Arby’s

PETA has pulled back the curtain on rampant abuse at factory farms and in slaughterhouses for the chicken meat and egg industries many times over the years. Every time, people wake up, and changes are made, sometimes even by the companies involved. This time, a PETA exposé of a massive hatchery operated by Sanderson Farms, Inc., which supplies chicken meat to Kroger, Sysco, Arby’s, Chili’s, and others, has provided shocking footage showing unwanted chicks there born alone and left to languish before finally being ground up alive.

The Life of a 'Late Hatcher'

Chicks who hatched later than expected were born alone in barren plastic crates, deprived of warmth, comfort, and mothering. PETA’s eyewitness found some gasping for air and some too weak to stand or lift their heads. Dying and dead chicks were found near the living, and one suffered from what appeared to be a broken neck.

Chicks Dropped Live Into Mincer at Chicken Supplier of Kroger, Arby’s

Because “late hatchers” like this chick, named Jessie by the eyewitness, were deemed useless to the company, they were left alone, never experiencing their mothers’ nurturing or warmth, for hours before finally dying or being killed.

https://investigations.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2-Chicks-like-this-one-were-deprived-of-warmth-comfort-and-mothering..jpg

These chicks, named Kai and Lex by the eyewitness, were among many unwanted chicks who died or were killed shortly after hatching.

chicks and eggs

Discarded chicks who survived were dropped into a metal macerator similar to the one shown below and ground up alive. The eyewitness heard chirping from the macerator, and a worker said that chicks frequently got stuck in or under it, where they were simply left to die.

https://investigations.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/9-These-live-chicks-were-ground-up-in-this-typical-macerator-at-another-hatchery.-.jpg

Please, the next time you see this:

https://investigations.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/packaged-chicken-istock-credited.jpg

think of this:

https://investigations.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/6-This-late-hatcher-was-considered-useless-by-Sanderson-and-would-either-die-or-be-killed-shortly-after-hatching.-.jpg

You Can Help Us Stop This Suffering!

PETA’s exposé gives just a glimpse into the short lives of unwanted chicks in the meat industry. Chickens who do hatch on time and survive also suffer greatly: They are often forced to live in cramped, windowless sheds and bred to grow so large in such a short amount of time that their legs literally break beneath their bodies. Even if the label says “humane meat,” animals are still subjected to cruel industry standards, including severe crowding and a terrifying death.

Chicks Dropped Live Into Mincer at Chicken Supplier of Kroger, Arby’s

Help animals like Jessie, Kai, and Lex by pledging to go vegan.

Chicks Dropped Live Into Mincer at Chicken Supplier of Kroger, Arby’s

Sign Our Pledge!
Sign the Vegan Pledge
I want to eat better, feel better, and stop supporting cruelty to chickens. By signing my name, I am pledging to go vegan.
All fields in bold are mandatory.
Get texts & occasional phone calls for Action Alerts, local events, & other updates to help animals with PETA! (optional)
  By clicking, you agree to receive automated texts and calls from PETA and accept our terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. U.S. mobile users only. You can opt-out anytime.
View Message +
By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.
Take Action Now!