A raid on a Canberra battery hen farm by animal activists overnight has been labelled ‘‘one of the worst examples of industrial sabotage in Australia’’ by an industry body, which has claimed the attack puts the lives of the facility’s 30,000 hens at risk.

Activists forced entry into the Parkwood Egg Farm, owned by Pace Farm Pty Ltd, in Macgregor between 11pm and 6am this morning,and allegedly slashed conveyor belts and destroyed grading and packaging equipment.

Still from YouTube video.

The facility is the only battery hen farm in the ACT, and currently holds about 30,000 chickens, with a total capacity for well over 100,000.

Office equipment was also allegedly damaged, forklifts were wrecked, and production at the battery egg farm has been forced to a standstill.