‘If you cannot feed them, do not own or produce chickens’, NSPCA confirms 4,000 chickens culled, investigation ongoing
DELMAS – Daybreak Foods has responded to growing concerns over a poultry feed crisis in Mpumalanga, following reports that a local farmer lost approximately 200,000 chickens due to an alleged failure to supply critical feed.
The company acknowledged the supply disruptions, citing operational challenges and financial difficulties exacerbated by the festive season.
“Despite these issues, we have maintained communication with our farmers and are working closely with them to mitigate the impact,” Daybreak Foods stated. “We value our relationships with our farmers and will continue to communicate transparently about the measures we’re implementing to address these challenges.”
Daybreak further confirmed that the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) supervised the culling of some birds due to strain but maintained that feed deliveries had continued, though not always in the required quantities or on schedule.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has since called for urgent intervention, warning that if immediate action is not taken, Mpumalanga could face severe food security risks, job losses, and economic instability in the agricultural sector.
“If immediate action isn’t taken, Mpumalanga could face severe food security risks, job losses, and economic instability in the agricultural sector. We urge the provincial government to engage with key industry stakeholders to prevent further disruptions that could cripple the poultry industry,” said DA spokesperson Tersia Marshall.
However, the NSPCA has taken a stronger stance on the matter, rejecting claims that the crisis was purely a supply chain issue.
Jacques Peacock, Manager of the Communications Unit of the NSPCA, responding to Highveld Chronicle, stated, “On a point of correction, it was not feed supply disruptions but wilful starvation on the part of the supplier, who was well aware that no feed had been delivered to the farm for three days. All farms are still currently under investigation.”
The SPCA verified the culling of over 4,000 chickens but said the full number of affected birds had not been disclosed.
“The NSPCA not only identified the birds but assisted with the culling of these chickens,” Peacock said. “Pressure had to be placed on Daybreak to send in additional staff to assist with the culling. Over 10 SPCA staff were on-site assisting. Due to the intervention of the NSPCA, feed was arranged by Daybreak Foods for this farm.”
Peacock further warned that those responsible for the suffering of the animals would be held accountable.
