PETA responds: Nearly two million chickens being killed, not processed amidst staffing shortage

47 ABC – PETA is publicly responding after learning that nearly two million chickens will be killed and not processed for food because staffing is down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a local plant can’t keep up.

Delmarva Poultry Industry has not said which company is behind the move but PETA addressed its letter to Allen Harim. PETA is asking the company to only use depopulation methods that are approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association for “non-emergencies”. The organization says water-based foam is not a preferred method because it can be a slow process.

“Because this is not an emergency situation—in which, say, chickens are suffering and dying because of a disease outbreak or natural disaster—please verify that Allen Harim will not use water-based foam to smother these birds. Such deaths are particularly terrifying and slow—federal standards allow some chickens to survive foaming for up to 14 minutes,” says Dan Paden, the Vice President of Evidence Analysis for PETA. “Those who care about these birds’ welfare want to know that your staff members are properly trained in the use of containerized gassing, cervical dislocation, and captive-bolt guns to kill these animals as quickly as possible and with the least possible stress.”

Officials have previously told 47 ABC that methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association would be the only ones used to depopulate flocks.

Click here for 47 ABC’s original story about flock depopulation.