HILMAR, Calif. -- A farmer said "that's how you dispose of chickens" in response Tuesday to allegations animal cruelty was conducted at his Central Valley egg farm.

Ernie Gemperle, the patriarch of his family egg business in Hilmar, is upset after a video was released by the animal rights group Mercy for Life showing, among other things, gassing of chickens and a worker kicking a bird with his shoe.

"I believe our chickens are treated very well," Gemperle said. "I'm in the business for 57 years, we have improved conditions for birds every year."

The Chicago-based group conducted a two-month undercover investigation earlier this year at multiple Merced County egg farms.

Gemperle said his farm is being singled out, and that gassing is the most humane way to dispose of sick birds.

"That's not animal cruelty," Gemperle said. "That's something you have to do when you dispose of chickens."

Mercy for Animals said in the investigation they had an investigator pose as a Gemperle employee. But the group hasn't provided proof that show their video was actually taken at Gemperle's farm.

Gemperle said his hens lay 1.5 million eggs a day and his farm is one of California's largest egg producers.

Gemperle and other egg producers are meeting to arrange a tour of egg farms, he said.

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