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Sparboe Farms Accused of Animal Cruelty

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Nov 20, 2011 at 6:46 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2011 at 4:38 PM MDT

Sparboe Farms, which produces over 300 million eggs a year, is under fire for questionable conditions and treatment of their chickens, and now McDonalds and Target have cut all business ties with them. A video that was recorded by the animal rights activist group Mercy for Animals shows many cases of animal cruelty at five facilities in Iowa, Minnesota, and Colorado.

The video shows a worker swinging a bird around by its feet, hens being packed into small cages, and workers cutting off the tips of chicks' beaks.

Both McDonalds and Target ended their business relationship with Sparboe shortly after the video surfaced, and immediately had Sparboe products taken off their shelves.

Beth Sparboe Schnell, owner and president of Sparboe Farms, released a letter and video response to the situation saying, "Acts depicted in the footage are totally unacceptable and completely at odds with our values as egg farmers. In fact, they are in direct violation of our animal care code of conduct, which all of our employees read, sign, and follow each day."

Sparboe also says a few employees have been terminated or have been placed on leave since the video was released.

Watch the full video from Mercy for Animals here.
Watch and read Sparboe Farms' Response here.

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Anonymous said on Monday, Nov 21 at 9:17 AM

Well, I hope they don't raise prices now. I would rather them abuse all the animals if it will save me money.

Fred said on Monday, Nov 21 at 4:34 PM

Nah, they will sell them other places, like city mark-up.

Jeff said on Monday, Nov 21 at 8:42 PM

Sparboe is a very upstanding company. I hate the animal rights people for the half truths and outright lies. I want my salmanella free eggs back or I am going to advise all my friends to stop buying groceries from Target.

... said on Tuesday, Nov 22 at 11:15 AM

Abuse of animals is sick...i'd rather pay more if the animal were treated right..maybe someday you will be tortured and someone will say the same thing about u!

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