The video, taken with hidden-camera video allegedly, shows abuse at a Delaware poultry farm.
The MFA website claims that over the course of 42 days, more than 52,000 birds died at this one farm from sickness or injuries.
The MFA is well-known for its undercover investigations into farm animals and it promotes a vegan and vegetarian lifestyle.
‘Crippled’
The video, according to MFA’s website, shows “thousands of baby birds bred to grow so fast they became crippled under their own weight” and “workers carelessly kicking, clubbing, and throwing chickens”.
It also depicts “thousands of severely sick and injured animals left to suffer without proper veterinary care or access to food and water”, the MFA claims.
In a video response, Tyson Farms vice president of animal well-being programs and technology Dr. Christine Daugherty sought to reassure people that Tyson had strict procedures in place.
She said: “Animal well-being is a top priority for us. We will not tolerate animal abuse and take claims like this very seriously.
‘Policies in place’
“We have policies in place to help protect our animals. This includes the Tyson Farm Check program. This program involves third party auditors who go on the farm to check for things such as animal access to food and water, our human animal interaction, and worker training.”
Daugherty was employed in this new role in 2014 to oversee the Farm Check programme, be responsible for the company’s animal treatment policy and monitor animal welfare.
In an official statement, Tyson Foods said it had offered to meet with Mercy for Animals to discuss its concerns, but the group had declined and chose to hold news conferences instead.
“Our farmers work hard to raise healthy birds,” it added. “However, sometimes chickens – just like people – get sick. At the time this video was shot this past spring, this farm had birds that were sick with a respiratory illness. As a result, what was shown in the video is not typical for this or any other farm. It was also not a food safety issue.”
Tyson Foods is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, as well as prepared foods such as appetizers and snacks.
In 2014, fiscal sales for the group hit $37.6 billion.