Mass Chicken Deaths at Daybreak Farms Spark SPCA Legal Action and National Outrage

Over a million birds dead. A farming giant under fire. And a nation forced to confront the dark side of its food system.

More than a million chickens have died under horrific conditions at Daybreak Farms, one of South Africa’s major poultry producers and now the country’s top animal welfare organisation is demanding accountability.

The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has laid criminal charges against Daybreak’s board of directors, accusing the company of gross negligence, systemic mismanagement, and criminal cruelty after a series of investigations exposed what the NSPCA described as a “grave moral and legal failure.”

“This Was Not an Accident. It Was a Catastrophe.”

Jacques Peacock, spokesperson for the NSPCA, confirmed that more than one million birds died due to what he called prolonged neglect by Daybreak Farms. The deaths weren’t caused by a freak incident or act of nature, but by failures that, according to the NSPCA, could have been prevented.

Following disturbing reports from whistleblowers, the organisation launched on-site inspections which revealed widespread suffering: chickens with gaping wounds, birds cannibalising each other, and many too weak to move—left to die slowly and painfully.

“These failures were not only inhumane,” said Peacock, “they were criminal in nature.”

Court Orders, Corporate Collapse

The High Court in Johannesburg agreed, confirming an interim order on 23 May that compelled Daybreak Farms to:

• Stop inhumane culling practices

• Cease all chick placements until proper care can be assured

• Provide immediate access to all facilities

• Deliver a resolution plan to the NSPCA

• Cover the NSPCA’s legal costs

Despite this legal intervention, the scale of the disaster left many reeling.

Senior inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, who leads the NSPCA’s farm animal protection unit, described the emotional toll:

“To witness the suffering of one animal is hard enough. But multiply that by over a million, and what you have is not just a disaster—it’s a national disgrace.”

Condemnation Across the Agricultural Sector

The backlash has extended well beyond the animal welfare sector. Francois Rossouw, CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative, condemned the case as a shocking betrayal of trust.

“Over a million birds left to suffer is not only a moral outrage but a glaring indictment of corporate failure,” he said. “This isn’t just about animals—it’s about ethics in food production.”

Rossouw said the scandal undermines the hard work of thousands of farmers who do follow humane practices, and warned that Daybreak’s conduct risks staining the entire agricultural industry.

A Reckoning for South Africa’s Poultry Industry

Daybreak Farms, which plays a significant role in South Africa’s poultry supply chain, is now under intense scrutiny not only from the NSPCA and the public, but also from fellow producers and retailers. There are growing calls for audits, supply chain reviews, and greater transparency in food production.

Animal rights groups are urging the government to revise regulations around industrial farming, warning that this is not an isolated incident but a systemic issue plaguing factory farms where profit often trumps animal welfare.

Public Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Demands for Accountability

Social media erupted in outrage following the NSPCA’s revelations. One user posted on X:

“Imagine a million animals crying out in pain, and nobody listening. We are complicit if we don’t demand change.”

Another wrote:

“Daybreak Farms should never be allowed to operate again. Full stop.”

A petition demanding the suspension of Daybreak’s operating license is already circulating online, gathering thousands of signatures in just days.

The NSPCA has committed to working closely with the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority to pursue justice, while monitoring the implementation of the court’s order.

For Daybreak Farms, the reputational damage is severe. For the country, this case may serve as a wake-up call about the true cost of cheap meat—and the urgent need for reform in the farming sector.

As Appalsamy poignantly put it:

“The law compels us to value every animal. But our food system? It still has a long way to go.”