Hatchery Chick Culling and Alternatives

The commercial egg industry kills approximately 7 billion male chicks annually worldwide because they cannot lay eggs, a welfare problem increasingly being solved by in-ovo sexing technology.

Key Facts

Male chicks in the laying hen industry are killed at one day old
Maceration and gassing are the legally approved killing methods
In-ovo sexing technology can determine sex before hatching, eliminating live culling
Several countries including Germany, France, and Austria have banned day-old chick culling
In-ovo sexing adds cost but eliminates the welfare problem at source

Welfare Considerations

Day-old chick culling involves the killing of billions of conscious individuals annually by grinding (maceration) or CO2 exposure. While both are considered humane methods, the scale — 7 billion annually — makes this one of the most numerically significant welfare issues in animal agriculture. In-ovo sexing technology, which identifies male embryos before hatching, eliminates the need for live culling entirely. Widespread adoption is currently limited by cost and consumer willingness to pay the premium.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from brands that have committed to ending chick culling
Support in-ovo sexing adoption through consumer and retailer pressure
Advocate for mandatory bans on day-old chick culling in UK legislation
Reduce egg consumption to reduce demand from systems that kill male chicks
Engage with supermarkets on their chick culling policies and timelines