Poultry Maven Frank Perdue Dies

Built Backyard Egg Business Into Major Food Co.

(AP)  Under Jim Perdue's leadership, the company has been establishing full service health care centers in its plants.

Perdue began facing pickets at his public appearances from animal rights activists after his appointment in January 1991 to the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland system.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed farmers raising chickens for Perdue kept them in cramped cages and their beaks had to be clipped to prevent them from pecking each other to death.

The company insisted its chickens roamed freely in well-ventilated coops and said their beaks were trimmed because chickens naturally go after each other.

Associates said Perdue never spent much time worrying about his critics, but he was never comfortable with his fame.

For years, he refused to advertise in the Baltimore and Washington areas to lower his profile at home.

Perdue served on the board of directors of the National Broiler Council in Washington and Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., in Georgetown, Del. — both trade organizations for the poultry industry.

His involvement in local civic activities was highlighted by his endowment of Salisbury State University to establish the Perdue School of Business.

Perdue, is survived by his third wife, Mitzi Ayala Perdue; four children, Sandra Spedden of Cambridge, Md., Anne Oliviero of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Beverly Nida of Midlothian, Va., and Jim Perdue of Salisbury, Md.; two stepchildren Jose Ayala and Carlos Ayala; and 12 grandchildren.