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Buffalo City Today
By the People, for the People
Pure Prairie Poultry convicted after 2 million chickens abandoned, starved
The company was found guilty of 30 counts of animal mistreatment after going bankrupt and leaving chickens without food.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc. was convicted of 30 counts of animal mistreatment after the company filed for bankruptcy and abandoned roughly 2 million chickens in farms across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, leading to widespread starvation. The court ruled the company must pay $13,575 in fines, though it may be difficult as Pure Prairie Poultry has already gone bankrupt.
Why it matters
This case highlights the devastating impact of corporate bankruptcy and abandonment on farm animals, raising questions about the need for stronger regulations and oversight to protect livestock from neglect and mistreatment, even when a company goes under.
The details
According to the criminal complaint, in October 2022 a farmer in Mondovi, Wisconsin entered into an agreement with Pure Prairie Poultry to raise 24,000 chickens. However, when it came time for Pure Prairie to pick up the chickens in September 2024, the company failed to do so. The farmer ran out of feed for the chickens on September 28, and despite daily pleas to Pure Prairie, the company told the farmer to "turn the lights off in the barn so the hungry chickens would be less active." Hundreds of chickens died of starvation before the farmer was able to give away the remaining birds by October 16. In total, the chickens went 19 days without food, with between 24 and 50 dying each day.
- In October 2022, the farmer in Mondovi entered into an agreement with Pure Prairie Poultry.
- On September 17, 2024, Pure Prairie was supposed to pick up the 24,000 chickens but did not show up.
- On September 28, 2024, the farmer ran out of feed for the chickens.
- From September 28 to October 7, 2024, the farmer contacted Pure Prairie daily to get more feed but was told to "turn the lights off".
- By October 16, 2024, the farmer had given away the remaining chickens, but not before hundreds had died of starvation.
The players
Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc.
A poultry company that filed for bankruptcy and abandoned roughly 2 million chickens in farms across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, leading to widespread starvation.
Mondovi Farmer
A farmer in Mondovi, Wisconsin who entered into an agreement with Pure Prairie Poultry to raise 24,000 chickens, but was left without feed when the company failed to pick them up.
What’s next
The court has ordered Pure Prairie Poultry to pay $13,575 in fines, though it may be difficult to collect given the company's bankruptcy.
The takeaway
This case highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations and oversight to protect farm animals from corporate neglect, even when a company goes bankrupt. It underscores the devastating impact that such abandonment can have on livestock and the importance of holding companies accountable for the welfare of the animals in their care.
