The Ugly Truth Behind Rural King’s “ Chick Day’s.”
Written by: Erica McKinleyEach spring, Rural King stores across the country roll out bins of chirping baby chicks, luring in customers with the irresistible sight of fluffy yellow and black fuzzballs under heat lamps. To the average shopper, it feels like a wholesome country tradition. But behind the cuteness lies a disturbing reality that most people never see—one that involves widespread neglect, suffering, and systemic disregard for animal welfare.
I’ve personally visited several Rural King locations during “chick days,” and what I witnessed was heartbreaking: chicks crammed into overcrowded troughs, some lying lifeless in the corners, others barely able to stand. Dirty waterers, empty feeders, and unsanitary bedding were the norm—not the exception. And I’m not alone. Across social media and animal welfare forums, dozens of customers have reported the same problems: sick, injured, or dead chicks left unattended, inadequate care, and store staff poorly trained in even basic poultry handling.
Let’s be clear—these chicks are just days old, and they require heat, clean water, proper nutrition, and low-stress environments to survive. In the wild or on responsible farms, mother hens provide warmth and protection. In contrast, chicks at Rural King are treated like disposable inventory. They’re shipped in bulk, packed into loud, high-traffic store displays, and expected to survive under fluorescent lights with minimal care. For a business that markets itself as being friendly to farmers and families, this kind of treatment is unacceptable.
Many of these chicks die in the store before they’re ever sold. And for those that do make it out, it’s often into the hands of customers who bought them on impulse without any idea how to raise poultry. I’ve even seen families let their children pick out chicks “just for fun,” not realizing that raising birds is a commitment that lasts years, not weeks. Sadly, this lack of education and support just adds to the cycle of suffering.
This isn’t a one-time fluke—it’s a pattern. And it’s not just Rural King. Big-box retailers have turned live animal sales into a seasonal gimmick with shockingly little accountability. But Rural King’s reputation as a “hometown” farm store makes it especially disappointing to see animals treated this way.
If Rural King truly cares about rural values and responsible agriculture, they must do better. That means hiring trained staff, improving living conditions for chicks, and educating customers before a sale is ever made. Or better yet, stop selling live animals altogether and partner with local breeders who can ensure humane, informed placement of their birds.
As consumers, we have a voice. If you shop at Rural King, speak up. Leave reviews. Ask tough questions. And if you see animals suffering, document it and report it. These chicks deserve better than to be treated like cheap seasonal décor.
Let’s hold Rural King accountable—and push for a kinder, more responsible approach to animal sales.
Please sign my petition for R.K to stop selling live chicks
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/demand-humane-treatment-for-chicks-sold-at-rural
My local news station Article
ONLY ON 7: Concerns over Animal Welfare at Local Farm Supply …
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