Stop the Neglect and Abuse of Baby Chicks at Rural King

Each spring, Rural King stores across the United States stock live baby chicks to sell to the public. While this may seem like a charming farm tradition, what’s happening behind the scenes is anything but wholesome.

Eyewitness accounts and customer reports have revealed disturbing patterns of neglect at many Rural King locations. Baby chicks—only days old—are often kept in overcrowded, unsanitary bins without access to clean water, proper food, or adequate warmth. Many are seen suffering from injuries, illness, or severe stress. Some are even found dead or dying in store displays, left there for hours with no attention from staff.

These chicks are living beings—not products. Yet they are treated as disposable inventory, subject to inhumane conditions and sold to often unprepared buyers with little or no education about their care. This practice not only causes unnecessary suffering but also leads to high mortality rates, poor animal welfare outcomes, and a deeply unethical message about the value of life.

We call on Rural King Corporate Headquarters and CEO Alex Melvin to take immediate action to end the cruelty and implement the following reforms:
1. Suspend the sale of live chicks until minimum humane care standards are established and enforced.
2. Require trained animal care staff in every store where chicks are sold.
3. Implement daily health and welfare checks of all live animals.
4. Partner with animal welfare organizations to audit and advise on in-store practices.
5. Provide thorough educational materials for all chick buyers at the point of sale.

If these standards cannot be met, we urge Rural King to end the sale of live animals altogether.

This petition will be delivered to:
• Rural King Corporate Headquarters
• Alex Melvin, CEO of Rural King
• Local and state animal welfare authorities
• Animal advocacy groups and media outlets

Let’s stand up for these vulnerable animals who cannot speak for themselves. With your signature, we can demand better and push Rural King to take responsibility for the lives in their care.

Every chick matters. It’s time Rural King started acting like it.