A PETA investigator has raised the alarm over alleged animal abuse at a Butterball turkey factory, claiming to have witnessed shocking cruelty.

In a video released on Instagram, the investigator, who remains anonymous, describes his undercover experience at the facility. He claims to have seen workers sexually assaulting turkeys before slaughtering them.

The researcher describes incidents where workers allegedly held chained turkeys and inserted fingers into the birds’ cloacas, which he described as their “vaginas,” while the production line was shut down. Footage from the factory shows a worker roughly handling a turkey, while another worker appears to kick a bird and says, “I kicked the son of a bitch out.” In another shot, a worker is shown apparently sitting on a turkey.

While these new claims are disturbing, it is not the first time Butterball has faced such accusations. In 2017, PETA accused workers at a Butterball slaughterhouse in Ozark, Arkansas, of violently abusing turkeys, including kicking and throwing the birds. The organization also claimed that employees had stuck their fingers in female turkeys, echoing recent allegations.

The researcher hopes this new video will shed light on the harsh reality of factory farming and make people reconsider consuming turkey, especially with Thanksgiving approaching. “If even one person sees this video and stops eating birds, it will be worth it,” he said at the end of the video.

The researcher highlights these disturbing atrocities in the video, hoping to show consumers the harsh reality behind the products they buy. He emphasized that most people are unaware of the abuse that takes place before turkeys are packaged and sold. “These dark plants are kept away from the main roads and certainly not shown on TV,” he added. “I went to this Butterball House of Horrors to show people what the company will never show.”

Butterball is a well-known brand that produces turkey and other poultry products operated by Butterball LLC. The company produces food both domestically in the U.S. and internationally, focusing on turkey, cured meats, raw roasts and specialty products such as soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees.

Originally a joint venture between Smithfield Foods and Maxwell Farms Inc. (a subsidiary of Goldsboro Milling Co.), Seaboard Corporation purchased Smithfield’s share of Butterball in 2010. The company produces more than a billion pounds of turkey annually. Although the Butterball brand has been around since 1940, Butterball LLC was officially incorporated in 2006.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)’s ongoing efforts aim to raise awareness of animal cruelty in the food industry, hoping to inspire a shift toward more ethical practices. As more consumers become aware of the hidden reality behind factory farming, PETA hopes widespread outrage will spur change in the food industry.