Anonymous tip leads authorities to 50,000 dying chickens near Modesto

Acting on an anonymous tip, authorities discovered nearly 50,000 abandoned chickens at an egg farm just south of Modesto, Calif. The hens hadn’t been fed for two weeks, the Modesto Bee reported, and nearly all were so sick they had to be euthanized.

The birds’ carcasses were sent to a landfill; about 2,000 surviving hens were sent to sanctuaries where they are being treated and will be adopted out as companions.

A&L Poultry, the owner of the abandoned egg farm, issued an apology by way of Fox40, saying the company was shutting down its egg production.


The company stated the chickens were abandoned by accident: “An attempt to arrange for delivery of the chickens to a third party in order to avoid the usual business practice of euthanizing the chickens resulted in an unacceptable situation A&L Poultry did not intend, and profoundly regrets.”

Annette Patton, the executive director of Stanislaus Animal Services Agency, told the Modesto Bee that she will ask the Stanislaus County district attorney’s office next week to prosecute the owner of A&L Poultry, Andy Keung Cheung.

A&L Poultry produced between 12.5 million and 15 million eggs a year, which, although a large number, represents a fraction of the egg production industry in that county, the Modesto Bee reported.

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When people like Mitchell start talking it is a perfect example of why conservatives are viewed as thoughtless, selfish, mindless right wing zombies. There are no orginal thoughts on any subject and they can turn any issue in to Republican talking points. Not everything is political, get over it. This is a simple case of animal cruelty and another corporation trying to sneak out the back door and try to avoid being responsable.

It isn't the least bit surprising that so many have no compassion for the dying animals. They are willing to take milk away from poor children and don't care if anyone besides their own circle have healthcare. Or how families are to survive when there is still no work and unemployment runs out. They have no compassion for their fellow man why would they care about an animal.

If they aren't big on jail time perhaps we could just alternately put them all in the same cage, make them relieve thier bodily functions on the floor and take all food and water away for at least 2 weeks. No one simply forgets there are 50,000 chickens missing come on.

  • 2 votes
Reply#54 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:39 PM EST

This pretty much confirms my assertion.Should've shut the door on this country after ww2.This guy probably wouldn't be here and neither would most of you whack jobs calling for the death of a person for this.They are chickens,not sentient beings.Did you know in the 50s[i think] there was a sideshow chicken that went all over the country without a head?Yeah,chickens are so rudimentary that they hardly require heads.They cut its' head off nd it survived some months.It is a bad thing to be sure,but-relax and do some yoga-keep politics out,not a rep,f***

  • 1 vote
Reply#55 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:52 PM EST

50,000 chickens just left to die. Not turned loose. Just left in their factory barn left to starve to death.

These chickens could of went to feeding the poor or given away for producing eggs.

But my guess would be it was for insurance and greed.

If there is hell it would be nice if the person behind this had the killed chickens rule over him forever.

  • 3 votes
Reply#56 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:53 PM EST

I agree, that is just plain cruelty..a decent human being would not let any creature suffer like that....just makes me sick...he didn't want to be bothered or spend the money on relocation of these chickens

  • 3 votes
#56.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:18 PM EST

We can all hope that the insurance company figures out they did this for insurance and greed and makes the company give the money back. Now wouldn't that be great justice for those poor chickens???

Just goes to show you. Whatever a person does in life, they will get caught. It's not a matter of if, it's when you get caught.

  • 1 vote
#56.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:43 PM EST

People who weren't actually on the verge of starving to death as opposed to merely hungry would probably reject them, as apparently they have next-to-no commercial value (not an excuse for starving them, not in any way). There is a reason they have little value -- they aren't really fit for human consumption (and what does this say about their eggs, really?).

  • 2 votes
#56.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:50 PM EST

Thought I might give you another alternative...Monsanto told him he had to "upgrade" his chicken opt and he said "screw you" and left the chickens to die. Watch Food, Inc. it will clarify my statement!

    #56.4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:04 PM EST
    Reply

    They really need to be punished for starving those chicken. That is really disgusting since there wasn't enough bug around. When this case is solved then maybe there will be time to take care of the school teachers for molesting. Peloise and Baker need to pass some laws to stop this kind of behavior.

      Reply#57 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:55 PM EST

      Who is Baker?

        #57.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:52 PM EST
        Reply
        titasDeleted

        @STexas: what you are saying/complaining about "Big Business-Brother-Ag-Gov..." is, are, actually the result of capitalism, not socialism. The extremes of each are identical. "...the more things apparently change, the more they essentially remain the same."

        • 2 votes
        Reply#59 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:06 PM EST

        It was better when people had chickens in their yard and traded for the neighbors' bread etc

        • 5 votes
        Reply#60 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:19 PM EST

        This is plain cruel and he should go to jail for a year mandatory!!! With a big fine.

        He should have sold the chickens instead of dropping them off to fend for themselves which in turn cause some of them to die and many starving. What an ass!!!

        There are times when PETA should get involved and this is one of them.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#62 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:34 PM EST

        PETA: The cure that is worse than the disease.

        • 1 vote
        #62.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:53 PM EST
        Reply

        PS...the only thing this company is sorry for is sorry they got caught. They could give a rat's butt whether those chickens died. They are in no way sorry for that or they never would allowed that to happen.

        I hope every time they see a chicken or eat have chicken for dinner, they think, know and remember what they did that it makes THEM JERKS sick!!!

        • 4 votes
        Reply#63 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:38 PM EST

        Agreed!

        • 2 votes
        #63.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:54 PM EST
        Reply

        It's really crazy to think about the fact that I can eat at KFC and never in my mind one time visually see a chicken dying!

          Reply#64 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:55 PM EST

          Has anybody noticed the striking similarity between factory farms and concentration camps? It's too bad we cannot have Nurenber trials for the perpetrators of animal cruelty. Better yet, show what these animals endure in the sheet metal buildings, blinded by ammonia from their urine. There is so much that is so wrong with factory farms and raising animals for food. And most factory farms and slaugherhouses are protected by razor wire and security guards - so no body can "bear witness."

          • 1 vote
          Reply#65 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:59 PM EST

          Why all the bs about the poor chickens. Should any animals or humans or any damn thing be subject to cruelty. What a screwed up world with a bunch of screwed up people, with internet so they can sit around and make a bunch of screwed up comments.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#66 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:03 PM EST

          Including yourself heartless Mary????

          • 1 vote
          #66.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:15 PM EST

          Mary have a clue and watch FOOD, INC. the movie and maybe you will grow a brain and see that it isn't us who are screwed up - it would appear that you are!

          • 1 vote
          #66.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:06 PM EST
          Reply

          Depraved and cruel- Mr Cheung deserves the exact same horror that he gave those poor, unfortunate chickens. Absolutely sickening that anyone would purposely be so cruel.

            Reply#67 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:14 PM EST

            It doesn't matter what kind of animal they are. They did not deserve to be made to suffer like that. Animals meant for pets or food should not be treated as if they can be so easily forgotten. No, they do not have the same rights as humans, but at least have some basic compassion and caring for something that is alive and can easily suffer.

            These peoples only regrets are that they got caught.

            • 2 votes
            Reply#68 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:16 PM EST
            Comment author avatarMarji Beachvia Facebook

            Animal Place and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary were the only two organizations granted custody of the hens.

            We saved 4,461 hens, 4,100 of which we brought back to Animal Place. We currently have more than 3,500 hens at both of our Vacaville and Grass Valley sanctuaries. We are in need of emergency volunteers and donations, animalplace.org.

            Animal Place is proud to have coordinated the largest farm animal rescue in California history, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped, but special appreciation goes to Harvest Home in Stockton, CA

            • 2 votes
            Reply#69 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:19 PM EST

            That's wonderful! Can we contribute somewhere online? I'm really glad to hear that. Thanks.

            • 1 vote
            #69.1 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:17 AM EST
            Reply
            erralrandDeleted

            s-tx-ass--- m-i-hope he's buried in grants tomb--ido hate you--ram the jet up your --- you ain't no bro of mine --these are low life M.F's ,that need to step in front of a speeding train. just like a-and l , that sounds like anal to me . these are ,and i use the word litely - people -that, need to be tar and feathered . and that is not meant to be a pun. i think i'll go and puke after reading about dead dogs and now chickens . humans should to be used for food like the donner party. and you stinken repubs want to cover this earth with sobs like this. god i hate people. dogs and chickens are fun people are a------'s they kill you over a book-- they rob you and kill you for crack , they steal for greed , the lie to feel bigger about themselves, they cut the line because they are more greedy,-- god i hate people.

              Reply#71 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:20 PM EST

              david the realist:

              (humans should to be used for food like the donner party)? (god i hate people) Do the world a favor and stop being one.....(People) Or at the very least inquire about getting some SERIOUS Psychiatric help.

              (humans should to be used for food) Ok........EAT ME!!!!!!!!!! Wack job........

                #71.1 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:03 PM EST
                Reply

                thank god for MARJI i feel better, and you did better than we thought .--god bless you and your organization .to heck with the rest .

                • 2 votes
                Reply#72 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:29 PM EST

                Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Please read post # 62.1 Don't be such a douchebag. Please use common sense.

                  Reply#73 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:30 PM EST

                  I hope they do prosecute to the fullest. The company used the chickens for their purposes for years, made profits off of them, then abandoned them so callously? That's not right.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#74 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:40 PM EST

                  2,000 surviving companions? that is hilarious..The bleeding hearts should be MANDATED to provide that service!!

                    Reply#75 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:42 PM EST

                    So, 2,000 surviving chickens are going to be companions? that is hilarious! The bleeding hearts should be MANDATED to provide their services! lol

                      Reply#76 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:51 PM EST

                      It wasn't funny the first time you posted it. You changed a couple of words, I see. But......still not funny.

                      • 2 votes
                      #76.1 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:47 AM EST
                      Reply

                      I hope those responsible pay dearly.

                        Reply#77 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:56 PM EST

                        I can't believe the evilness, maybe people should pull their heads out of their butts and watch Food, Inc or Earthling and then they might have a hint of how evil raising commercially farmed meat is. I am pretty sure you wouldn't touch another chicken breast or steak that is factory farmed (PERIOD)! By not watching either movie you are being a willing ignorant scumbag. Strong words - you should hear what I have to say about this guy!

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#78 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:01 PM EST

                        "Oh, oops, our transfer plans fell through and we didn't bother having enough food and feeding them and you caught us." They only regret getting caught. I'm glad that at least some of the hens survived.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#79 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:26 PM EST

                        Torturing animals is a shameful thing. We may eat meat but there is no reason to brutalize an animal during it's life. I always feel shame when I hear of such awful treatment of living things. Those who mock the suffering or find it beneath you to care, shame on you.

                        • 4 votes
                        Reply#80 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:43 PM EST

                        The company spokesperson said " The chickens were abandoned by accident?" This isn't like misslaying the keys to the company pickup.

                        Look on the bright side, it isn't a bird flu outbreak, which is what came to mind when I first saw the headline.

                          Reply#81 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:33 PM EST
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