American establishment Simmons Foods has halted poultry processing operations at its plant in Delaware County, Jay, Oklahoma.
The move comes in response to the inconsistent supply of hens to process and the subsequent underutilisation.
Around 200 people working at the plant have been relocated to the company's other sites.
Commenting on the closure, Simmons Foods employee Sarah Nunnally said: "I think the plant closing could have been pushed back until after the holidays."
Jay interim mayor Les Newkirk said: "We haven't really heard if the someone or another business will come in.
"Simmons is keeping everything hush-hush."
Besides Jay, Simmons Foods also has operations in the Arkansas cities of Decatur, Siloam Springs and Van Buren.
Simmons Foods processes and packages chicken. The company offers boneless skinless tenderloins, breaded tenderloins, chicken wings, and boneless skinless breasts in fully cooked, ready to cook, frozen or fresh, marinated, glazed, grill marked, breaded, and other types.
