Delmas

Delmas Chicken Farm

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Delmas

Delmas is a small farming town in Mpumalanga, South Africa, recognized for its significant chicken production alongside maize, potatoes, and wheat[1][3][5]. The region is home to over forty poultry farms, with major operations like Daybreak Foods overseeing integrated production and slaughtering about 250,000 birds daily at local abattoirs[2]. Most commercial poultry farms in Delmas are strategically located within a 50 km radius of the abattoirs and 100 km of the feed mills, optimizing operations for efficiency and profitability[2].

Daybreak Foods, one of the leading companies in Delmas, employs around 3,400 people and operates a continuous production cycle where chickens are typically slaughtered at 33 days old to meet South African market preferences for smaller, medium-sized birds[2]. The business emphasizes the importance of uninterrupted feeding and growth to maximize profit and meet consumer expectations, which differ from other international markets[2].

However, serious challenges have recently emerged in Delmas’s poultry industry. In 2025, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) reported severe cases of animal suffering at Daybreak Foods facilities, where thousands of chickens died due to starvation and resorted to cannibalism. Investigations suggested that the crisis stemmed from significant financial instability, which left the company unable to secure sufficient feed. Slaughter restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities led to overcrowded houses, birds stuck at sub-market weights, and ongoing neglect[4][6].

These incidents highlight vulnerabilities in the local poultry farming sector and have prompted urgent interventions by animal welfare organizations, bringing attention to the need for improved oversight and financial management in large-scale chicken farming operations around Delmas[4][6].

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