HICKMAN’S
THE WORST COMPANY IN ARIZONA
From dead hens and a toxic stench to prison labor and corporate bullying: this is the true story behind the Hickman’s “family farm.”
MEET HICKMAN’S “HIGHEST QUALITY” EGGS
Investigators have visited a Hickman’s facility and documented what the company hides from the public:
Decomposing hens left in cages with the living
Birds missing feathers, with open sores, barely able to breathe
“Cage-free” areas packed so tightly birds couldn’t move
Thick ammonia air and screams that echoed for miles
Billy Hickman claims “hen welfare is a top priority.” But the footage tells the truth. Watch the video here.
Ignoring Extreme Animal Cruelty
For decades, Hickman’s has powered its egg empire on exploited and underpaid prison labor.
Thousands of incarcerated workers since launching the program
Dangerous work at base hourly wages as low as $4.25
Forced to operate heavy machinery and work in ammonia-filled barns
At least 250 serious injuries were reported between 2018–2022
One worker lost his leg. Another lost part of her finger. The company’s response? CFO Jim Manos suggested explicitly that when workers are injured, they likely have themselves to blame.
Here’s the exposé from Cosmopolitan about this scandal.
Exploiting Prisoners
When Hickman’s opened their Tonopah facility, it brought more than eggs. It brought:
Over 1,000 pounds of ammonia pollution released per day
Flies, feathers, and a stench described as “decaying flesh”
Plummeting property values
Lawsuits against residents who dared to speak out
Drones flown over people's homes to silence critics
This is what happens when Hickman’s moves into town. Here’s Hickman’s neighbors detailing the nightmare in their own words.
Poisoning the Desert, Suing Their Neighbors
How does Hickman's conduct its business? Read the news.
