I grew up in Booneville, AR in the 70’s. We had a small chicken coup in the backyard and sold them to Tyson for a few extra bucks.
I hated it since my dad made me work it!
I still remember when quite a few people raised small flocks for the Chicken industry, some as small as 50 chickens.
Then the Chicken men decided to update and many growers could not afford the new houses even though the chicken men’s bank would bankroll it.
When it was paid off, the chicken men would demand updated equipment causing the grower to have to go to the chicken men’s bank and get new loans for the improvements.
Growers never got out of debt to the chicken men.