Parents have objected to the book's "graphic and gory descriptions" of animals being bred, born, and dying, as well as to its including such "shocking content" as an unmarried couple co-inhabiting. Another complainant maintained that Peck was "trying to depict Shaker life but... really showing a perverted lifestyle as their norm." Others have protested that "A Day No Pigs Would Die" "'appeals to the erotic and at times prurient mentality'", and features "'scenes of brutality'". The book has also been targeted because it uses "objectionable" language, such as the words "damn" and "bitch".