(ABC 6 News) — In Iowa, 1.3 million chickens were taken from several poultry plants across the state, including in Charles City.

This comes as former employees of Pure Prairie Poultry say they are frustrated and had expressed concerns over the wellbeing of the animals well before the company went to the state.

On Monday, Pure Prairie Poultry notified the Iowa Department of Agriculture that they were no longer in a financial position to feed the birds, which former employees say they had seen while the Charles City plant was up and operating.

“We expressed our concern to the leadership team, and they told us they were taking care of it,” a former employee said.

Several complaints were sent to PETA about chickens going days without food or water, being left in the hot sun, and more.

“They would literally just have the security guards go out there with a garden hose, the birds were in the mods, and they would just spray them. That was their idea of watering the birds.”

Pure Prairie Poultry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, and on Wednesday, it told its staff it would be closing their doors with employees being terminated.

Former employees say it is devastating, and they wish there had been more transparency from the company.

Now, they are just glad the birds are no longer in the care of their former employer.

“This is very good news that the state got involved finally. Because these birds were at risk.”

Pure Prairie Poultry did not respond to ABC 6 News’ request for comment on Thursday.