A 2017 investigation by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) revealed that chickens at a Mary's factory farm were never allowed outdoors and were instead kept in extremely crowded, filthy sheds. Birds had pecked out eyes and other injuries, and there was evidence of 'debeaking' (a painful procedure where birds have the tips of their beaks burned off) despite advertisements saying Mary's did not engage in any such mutilations. Mary's advertising also claimed that chickens are killed using 'Controlled Atmosphere Stunning,' thought to be the most 'humane' way to slaughter birds, but investigators found evidence of chickens being sold to at least two slaughterhouses where apparently no controlled atmosphere stunning is used.

Serious labor and environmental concerns have been raised at the Pitman slaughterhouse in Sanger. A 66-year-old worker died at the slaughterhouse after drowning in a pit of chicken waste water, presumably after being incapacitated by the strong toxic fumes emanating from the waste. An investigation by the Fresno Bee found the company had higher than average injury rates and that at least four workers had died in the past eight years. Local residents have also had to deal with strong, foul odors due to large amounts of raw sewage from the slaughterhouse, including chicken feet, heads and feathers, going to the local water treatment plant. Repairs to upgrade the plant were funded by millions of taxpayer dollars.