Poultry hatcheries process billions of eggs annually, with welfare implications at hatching and particularly for the culling of male chicks in laying hen production.
Male chick culling kills approximately 40 million male chicks annually in UK alone. While chick sentience at hatching is debated, in-ovo sexing eliminates this welfare concern entirely. Hatchery conditions in the first hours of life affect long-term broiler and laying hen welfare.