Livestock

Egg Production Welfare in 2025: Market Shifts and Remaining Challenges

The UK egg market has shifted substantially toward free-range production in response to consumer demand. However, beak trimming, male chick culling and end-of-lay welfare remain significant issues.

Key Facts

Over 55% of UK eggs are now free-range — up from under 20% in 2005
Male chicks are culled at hatch in all commercial laying hen systems — approximately 30 million per year in the UK
In-ovo sexing technology can identify and terminate male embryos before hatching, avoiding chick culling
Beak trimming remains near-universal — the ban promised by 2011 has not been implemented
End-of-lay hens are typically transported long distances to specialist processing plants

Welfare Considerations

Male chick culling — the maceration or gassing of day-old chicks because they cannot lay eggs — is the largest-scale welfare issue specific to egg production. In-ovo sexing technology, already commercially available in Germany and France, provides a welfare-superior alternative. Beak trimming causes pain that welfare legislation has failed to address through promised bans. Consumer support for in-ovo sexing and beak-trimming-free eggs can drive market-led change.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from producers committing to in-ovo sexing where available
Support Compassion in World Farming male chick culling campaign
Buy free-range or organic eggs as the welfare-superior standard option
Advocate for a legislated timetable for in-ovo sexing adoption by all UK producers
Engage with supermarkets on their male chick culling reduction commitments