Hatchery Practices and Day-Old Chick Welfare

The welfare of chicks in commercial hatcheries is often overlooked. From hatching conditions to transport as day-olds, these first hours and days of life matter profoundly for lifetime welfare.

Key Facts

Over 7 billion day-old broiler chicks are placed in commercial farms in the EU annually
Male chicks in laying hen hatcheries are killed at one day old — approximately 7 billion globally per year
Infrared beak trimming at hatchery is standard in many laying hen production systems
Chicks may be without food or water for up to 72 hours between hatch and farm placement
In-ovo sexing technology could eliminate the killing of male chicks in the laying hen industry

Welfare Considerations

The first day of life is a period of vulnerability and potential suffering. Chicks hatching in commercial hatcheries face dehydration if not placed promptly, the stress of sorting and handling machinery, and in many systems beak trimming. Male layer chicks — identical to females at hatch — are macerated or gassed in vast numbers, raising serious ethical questions even where the method is regulated to minimise suffering. In-ovo sexing, which identifies male eggs before hatching, offers an opportunity to eliminate this practice.

What You Can Do

Support in-ovo sexing technology development and adoption by purchasing from producers who use it
Advocate for mandatory adoption of in-ovo sexing in laying hen hatcheries
Choose eggs from producers committed to no-kill hatchery practices
Donate to organisations researching hatchery welfare improvements
Engage with food companies about their commitment to eliminating male chick culling