Daybreak Pushes 89,000 Birds into Uncertain Future Despite NSPCA Concerns

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has raised serious alarm over Daybreak Farms’ (In Business Rescue) plan to place 44,500 day-old breeder birds this week and a further 44,500 day-old breeder birds later in the month, despite being in business rescue and failing to address fundamental concerns about animal welfare.

Daybreak, which has a history of serious animal welfare violations and court rulings against it, is pressing forward with placements as though these were foregone conclusions. The NSPCA has not provided consent for these placements. As recorded in correspondence to Daybreak, we have repeatedly requested documentary proof of funding and contingency planning, which has not been forthcoming.

The NSPCA, together with local SPCAs, has been conducting continuous inspections at Daybreak facilities to monitor the welfare of animals. These inspections have consistently uncovered ongoing issues that demonstrate the company’s inability to meet even basic welfare obligations.

Recent inspections underscore why this matters:

• On 8 August 2025, NSPCA Inspectors uncovered over 400 mortalities in a single week at Daybreak’s Dieputten site, with the company’s Acting Head of Agriculture, veterinarian Dr Chrissie Makwiti citing alleged ‘secondary infections.’
• On 11 August 2025, Daybreak’s Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) informed the NSPCA of a plan to place 39,000 chicks. In reality, an additional 5,317 birds were placed without disclosure. When challenged, Daybreak’s explanation was that the NSPCA should’ve known about these additional birds, which were described as ‘free of charge.’
• On 1 September 2025, another inspection confirmed 787 bird deaths in a single week, on just on one site, due to water shortages. Despite repeated warnings, Daybreak continues to leave compromised animals to linger in suffering. When pressed, Daybreak’s veterinarian queried the NSPCA’s definition of a ‘compromised animal.’

This pattern is not new. Earlier this year, the High Court found against Daybreak, confirming that Daybreak’s prior defences of funding assurances and vague undertakings were neither feasible nor legitimate.

Daybreak claims it can sustain feed supplies for the next six months, but has failed to say what happens after that. Without documents and substantiation, such assurances cannot be accepted, and our concerns remain that any placement under these conditions is unsustainable.

“Without the financial confirmation, placing these 89,000 additional birds under these conditions is reckless, irresponsible, and may result in further suffering,” says Senior Inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, Manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit. “The NSPCA cannot provide the consent sought in the absence of transparency. Should Daybreak proceed, it does so at its own risk, and those responsible may be held accountable.”

We have placed on record that any placement leading to animal neglect or abuse would be in contravention of the Court Order. Should this occur, the NSPCA will be compelled to initiate further legal proceedings without delay.