(HENADZI PECHAN/Shutterstock.com)

60k Chickens Killed In Face Of COVID-19 — Farmer “Disgusted” By Cash Loss

A US egg producer has opted to kill over 60,000 chickens in the face of COVID-19, leaving one farmer “disgusted” — by the hit to his finances.

A contract farmer for Daybreak Foods, Kerry Mergen says the brand euthanized a total of 61,000 animals who were reportedly taken away to be made into dog food.

The move was made in the face of dropping demand, a shift that has been credited in large part to the closure of schools, restaurants and caterers, all of which usually purchase a significant number of eggs.

Over 180,000 people have died as a result of COVID-19 (Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.com)

“Our Paycheck Euthanized”

Mergen described the process and his feelings around it to StarTribune.

“They come in with carts, put them all in carts, wheel them up to the end, put a hose in that cart and gas them, then dump them over the edge into a conveyor and convey them up into semis and the semis haul them out,” he said.

“I was in there for quite a while and the longer I was there the more disgusted and disappointed I was knowing that I’m not going to see anything put back in my checkbook again, so after a while I just simply left.”

His wife, Batb, shared similar commentary with newser.

“When they euthanized the birds, that was our paycheck euthanized,” she said.

Some commenters shared concern for the 61,000 dead animals (Fotokon/Shutterstock.com)

“Mass Killing” In The Face Of COVID-19

While the pair emphasized their concern for their personal finances, some commenters had the animals’ lives in mind.

“This is why we don’t support eggs and dairy, people,” wrote one Reddit user.

“These sentient beings were murdered because they are no longer economically viable. This is the real death squad.”

A newser commenter shared a similar sentiment.

“While I appreciate these business owners are now in desperate straights,” she wrote.

“I didn’t hear a word of sadness for the mass killing of all these animals.”

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