A Tennessee poultry farmer has filed a lawsuit seeking over $2 million in damages, claiming substandard construction work by an Arkansas-based contractor has left his operation idle for eight months.
Hunter Crowson, who raises broilers for Tyson Foods under contract at Crowson Coop Farms, is suing Reliable Poultry, the contractor Tyson reportedly required growers to use for constructing new chicken houses. According to the lawsuit filed in county court, Crowson alleges the company used unlicensed labor and failed to meet multiple safety inspection standards.
Crowson, a former Tyson employee, said his farm suffered persistent electrical issues and later discovered that the barns never received a final electrical inspection. The complaint includes multiple failed inspections by state officials and the fire marshal, the latest occurring on April 15.
He also claims that a construction crew walked off the job after he questioned the legal work status of some laborers. The 25-page legal filing seeks compensation for construction expenses, lost income, and other business-related damages.
“This isn’t just about my farm,” said Crowson in a public statement. “It’s about the growing pressure and risk that independent producers face when locked into contracts with big corporations.”
The lawsuit could raise broader questions about contractor mandates, oversight, and grower autonomy within vertically integrated poultry systems.
