Red Lea Chickens Pty Ltd

Red Lea Chickens Pty Ltd was a vertically integrated chicken growing and slaughter company based in Blacktown, NSW, founded in 1957 by John Velcich.

The company operated a slaughterhouse on Flushcombe Road, Blacktown with a capacity of approximately 500,000 birds per week, along with 38 retail stores across NSW, approximately 30 contract broiler growers, and breeder farms at Cooranbong, Mandalong, Menangle, Tamworth and Wellington.

In 2015 the business was sold to the Asif family for approximately $30 million, and in 2016 ownership transferred to PT Royal Industries Indonesia. The company entered voluntary administration in March 2018 and was unable to trade out of administration.

All operations ceased, the Blacktown slaughterhouse closed, and contract growers were left collectively owed an estimated $4–6 million. A Deed of Company Arrangement agreed in July 2018 returned approximately 12–15 cents in the dollar to creditors. All associated legal entities have since been cancelled.