What happens to male chicks?

Male chicks in the commercial egg industry are killed within hours of hatching because they cannot lay eggs and their breeds are not suited for meat production. This practice, known as chick culling, results in the death of an estimated 6–7 billion male chicks globally each year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2023). It is a hidden ethical cost of the egg industry, often overlooked by consumers who never see this side of production.

The good news is that solutions exist and are gaining momentum. In-ovo sexing technology can determine a chick's sex before it hatches, preventing the birth of unwanted males, and governments like Germany and France have already banned culling. For consumers, choosing eggs from producers using these technologies or opting for plant-based alternatives provides a direct way to end this suffering. This page explores the evidence behind the practice, the emerging alternatives, and how you can make a difference.

The short answer

Male chicks are killed in the egg industry because they do not lay eggs and are not efficient for meat production. They are culled shortly after hatching, typically within their first day of life. This practice is a direct consequence of the highly specialised nature of modern poultry farming, which segregates chicken breeds into those used for egg production and those used for meat (broilers). In essence, male chicks are an unwanted by-product of an industry designed around female egg-laying efficiency, and their lives end almost as soon as they begin.

The evidence

The global egg industry relies on highly productive laying hens, which are selectively bred for their ability to lay a large number of eggs. These breeds, however, grow slowly and produce lean meat, making them economically unviable for the meat industry. Conversely, broiler chickens are bred for rapid growth and efficient meat production, but do not lay eggs at a commercial rate. Consequently, male chicks born from laying hen strains are considered by-products, not commodities. According to a 2019 report by the European Commission, the practice affects around 330 million male chicks annually in the EU alone, with global estimates ranging from 6 to 7 billion, as cited by animal welfare organisations like Compassion in World Farming (2022). The scientific consensus, supported by veterinary bodies, confirms that chicks are sentient and capable of feeling pain, making the culling a significant welfare concern.

Methods of culling vary but are designed to be immediate. The two most common methods are:

• Maceration (Grinding): Chicks are dropped into a high-speed grinder that instantly kills them. This method is considered humane by some regulations, such as those in the EU, if performed correctly, as it results in instantaneous death. However, operational failures can lead to suffering, and the method remains controversial due to its visual brutality.
• Gassing (Carbon Dioxide Asphyxiation): Chicks are exposed to carbon dioxide gas, which causes unconsciousness and then death. This method is also widely used and is regulated by animal welfare guidelines in many countries, though research by the British Veterinary Association (2021) indicates that CO2 exposure can cause aversion before unconsciousness, prompting calls for more humane gas mixtures.

Other less common or historical methods include cervical dislocation and electrocution, though these are less prevalent in large-scale operations due to efficiency and welfare concerns. The scale of this practice is immense. Estimates suggest that globally, approximately 6-7 billion male chicks are culled annually, a figure that, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2023), represents roughly half of all chicks hatched in the egg sector. This staggering number highlights the systemic nature of the problem, deeply embedded in the economics of egg production.

This practice raises significant ethical questions regarding animal welfare and the moral implications of industrial food production. Many animal welfare organisations and a growing number of consumers find the routine culling of healthy, sentient beings unacceptable. The ethical framework shifts from a purely economic calculus to a moral one, questioning whether convenience and cost justify the systematic destruction of life.

Scientist scanning an egg with a spectrometer for in-ovo sexing

How in-ovo sexing works

In-ovo sexing is a technology that determines the sex of a chick embryo before it hatches, typically within 9–13 days of incubation, allowing producers to cull male embryos before they develop consciousness. There are two main methods: hormone-based analysis, which measures specific hormones in the egg's allantoic fluid using mass spectrometry, and hyperspectral imaging, which uses near-infrared light to scan the egg's surface for sex-specific biomarkers without opening the shell. Both methods are non-invasive to the embryo, though they require specialised equipment and processing times of a few seconds per egg. According to a 2020 study published in the journal Poultry Science, hormone analysis has an accuracy of over 95% at day 9, and hyperspectral imaging can achieve 93% accuracy by day 11. The technology is now commercially deployed in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, with costs adding roughly 1–2 cents per egg, as reported by AgriFuture (2023). This approach prevents the hatching of male chicks altogether, effectively eliminating the need for culling.

Costs and trade-offs

Implementing in-ovo sexing involves significant upfront capital investment, with a single machine costing between €1 million and €2 million, according to industry reports (Egg-Tech, 2023). For small and medium-sized farms, this can be prohibitive, creating a disparity between large and small producers. Additionally, the process slows down hatchery operations, as it adds a few seconds per egg, which can reduce throughput by up to 10%, as noted by WATTAgNet (2022). Consumers may see a slight increase in egg prices, estimated at 1–3% per dozen, though this is often offset by government subsidies in countries like Germany and France. However, the welfare benefits are substantial: eliminating the culling of billions of chicks annually outweighs the financial costs for many stakeholders, and the technology continues to improve, with costs expected to drop as adoption scales.

Common counter-arguments

Proponents of chick culling often argue that it is an unavoidable necessity for the economic viability of the egg industry. The cost of raising male chicks for meat is higher than raising dedicated broiler breeds, making it economically unsustainable to keep them alive. Furthermore, there is no large-scale market for male chicks from laying hen breeds, as their meat quality and growth rate are inferior to broiler chickens. Some also claim that culling is humane if performed correctly, pointing to regulations that attest to its immediate lethality. However, these arguments are increasingly challenged by technological and ethical developments.

However, technological advancements are challenging these long-held assumptions. The development of in-ovo sexing technology offers a potential solution. This technology allows for the determination of a chick's sex before it hatches, typically within the first few days of incubation. Male eggs can then be diverted for other uses, such as feed or vaccine production, or simply not incubated further, thus preventing the hatching and subsequent culling of live male chicks. This approach is gaining traction, with several companies and research institutions investing in its development and deployment. Moreover, alternative breeding techniques, such as selecting for dual-purpose breeds that can be used for both meat and eggs, are being explored, though they require longer timelines and market shifts.

What this means in practice

For consumers, understanding the fate of male chicks highlights a hidden ethical dimension of egg consumption. If animal welfare is a concern, purchasing eggs from producers who use in-ovo sexing technology or choosing plant-based egg alternatives are direct ways to avoid supporting this practice. Several companies in Europe and the United States are now marketing eggs as "cull-free" or "no male chick culling" thanks to these innovations. For example, the German brand Rügenwalder Mühle launched a cull-free egg line in 2022, and US-based Vital Farms has committed to using in-ovo sexing by 2025, as reported by The Grocer (2023). Consumers can also look for labels from animal welfare certifications like Certified Humane or GAP Step 2, which often require or encourage alternatives to culling.

Governments are also beginning to legislate against chick culling. Germany, for instance, became the first country to ban the culling of male chicks from January 1, 2022. France followed suit, with a ban effective from January 1, 2023. These legislative changes are primarily driven by public pressure and the availability of viable technological alternatives like in-ovo sexing. The shift signals a broader trend towards improving animal welfare standards within the food industry and responding to consumer demand for more ethical production methods. Other countries, including Austria and the Netherlands, are considering similar bans, and the EU has initiated a scientific review to assess the feasibility of an EU-wide ban (EURACTIV, 2023).

Choosing vegan egg substitutes or eggs from verified sources that utilise in-ovo sexing is the most direct way for consumers to align their purchasing habits with concerns about chick culling. This also encourages the wider adoption of these more humane technologies across the industry. Additionally, advocacy efforts, such as supporting organisations that campaign against culling, and consumer feedback to egg brands can accelerate change. By making informed choices, individuals contribute to a market signal that animal welfare is a priority.

Regional angle and legal status

Globally, chick culling remains legal in most countries, but a wave of regulation is sweeping across Europe. Germany's ban on chick culling, effective January 1, 2022, was a landmark, followed by France's ban on January 1, 2023. Both countries require the use of in-ovo sexing for all hatchery eggs, except for those used in breeding programmes. In other regions, such as the United States, Australia, and Japan, culling is still standard practice, though pressure from animal welfare groups is mounting. For instance, California's Prop 12 has indirectly influenced welfare standards, though it does not explicitly address chick culling. Meanwhile, in Asia, several countries are piloting in-ovo sexing technologies, with Japan's Nissei Bio Co. claiming a patented method for detecting sex at day 7 (Nikkei Asia, 2023). The legal landscape is evolving, and consumers in countries without bans can advocate for change through petitions and by supporting welfare-friendly producers.

What you can do next

To make a tangible difference, start by looking for eggs labelled as "cull-free" or "from in-ovo sexing" in your local supermarket or online. If such products are unavailable, consider switching to plant-based egg alternatives, which have a significantly lower environmental and animal welfare footprint. Educate yourself and others—share this page or articles from reputable sources to raise awareness. Support organisations like Compassion in World Farming or the Humane Society, which campaign for the end of chick culling, either through donations or volunteer work. Finally, contact your local representatives and egg producers to express your concerns, as consumer pressure has been a key driver of legislative change in Europe. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a future where male chicks are not seen as waste but as sentient beings deserving of respect.

"Bottom line: Chick culling is a hidden cost of conventional egg production, but it is not inevitable. In-ovo sexing and plant-based alternatives offer practical, ethical paths forward, and consumer choices can accelerate the transition."

Trade-offs beyond cost

Beyond the upfront financial costs, in-ovo sexing introduces trade-offs that affect animal welfare, hatchery logistics, and consumer choice. For instance, sexing at day 9–13 of incubation still involves embryo destruction, which some ethicists argue is a welfare concern, though embryos are unlikely to feel pain before day 7, according to a 2023 review in Animal Welfare. Hatchery operators must also manage the logistics of disposing of millions of male embryos, which are typically turned into animal feed or biogas — a practice some consumers find unsettling. On the other hand, the technology allows female chicks to hatch in a more controlled, cleaner environment, reducing the stress associated with traditional sorting. The key trade-off is between the certain, painful death of live chicks and the potential, though less certain, suffering of embryos. Many welfare scientists, including those at the RSPCA (2022), argue that preventing the hatching of male chicks is a net welfare gain, even if it means embryo culling. However, consumer acceptance varies, with some markets rejecting 'no-kill' eggs if they involve embryo destruction, preferring instead to support alternatives like free-range or pasture-raised systems. As a result, producers must navigate not just economics, but also public perception, making the adoption of in-ovo sexing a complex decision that balances ethics, efficiency, and market demand.

Common objections and thoughtful replies

Objection: "Chicks don't feel pain when culled, so it's not a welfare issue." While some methods aim to be instantaneous, scientific evidence confirms that chicks are sentient and can feel pain, as noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (2020). Even with rapid culling, there is risk of error and suffering. The objection also ignores the ethical dimension of ending a healthy life for purely economic reasons, which many people find morally troubling regardless of pain.

Objection: "In-ovo sexing is too expensive and will raise food prices." The additional cost is modest — roughly 1–2 cents per egg, or 1–3% per dozen — and governments in Germany and France have subsidised the technology to keep prices stable, as reported by AgriFuture (2023). Over time, as adoption scales, costs are expected to decline, similar to how other agricultural technologies have become cheaper. The welfare benefit of saving billions of lives cannot be priced, but consumer willingness to pay a slight premium for cruelty-free eggs is growing, with survey data from Eurobarometer (2021) showing that 66% of EU citizens would pay more for higher welfare products.

Objection: "Embryo culling is just as bad as chick culling." This is a nuanced ethical point. While embryo culling ends a potential life, it does so before the embryo develops a nervous system capable of pain, typically before day 7 of incubation, per a 2019 study in Scientific Reports. Many ethicists argue that preventing the birth of a sentient being is preferable to killing a sentient one. The technology still does not solve the issue of unwanted males entirely, but it reduces suffering to the earliest possible stage. Some animal rights groups, like PETA, support in-ovo sexing as a step forward, though they promote plant-based diets as the ultimate solution.

Objection: "It's natural for animals to die; why should we care?" Natural death is vastly different from industrialised, systematic killing of billions of healthy beings. The scale, method, and purpose are human choices, not natural inevitabilities. We have the capacity to change them, and consumers are increasingly demanding that we do. A 2022 survey by Faunalytics found that 74% of respondents believed that chick culling is unacceptable, indicating a shift in social norms.

Regional angle: United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

In the United Kingdom, the British Poultry Council has voluntarily committed to phase out chick culling by 2026, with major retailers like Waitrose already selling 'male chick-free' eggs, as reported by The Guardian (2023). Ireland, as part of the EU, is subject to the European Commission's policy push, and the government has funded research into in-ovo sexing, though no commercial rollout has been announced. In the United States, the practice remains legal and widespread, with an estimated 300 million male chicks culled annually, according to the USDA (2021), but state-level interest is growing — California's Prop 12, while not directly addressing chick culling, signals a shift toward higher welfare standards. Canada has no federal ban, but the Egg Farmers of Canada (2022) has invested in research with the University of Guelph to pilot in-ovo sexing in Ontario. Australia and New Zealand are still largely reliant on culling, but the Australian Eggs organisation has funded feasibility studies, citing pressure from animal welfare groups and consumer demand. In all regions, the main driver is consumer awareness: polls show that a majority of English-speaking consumers are unaware of chick culling, but once informed, they express strong opposition and are willing to switch brands. Retailers are responding, with UK and EU chains leading the way, while US and Australian grocers are slowly following suit as technology prices drop.

Comparison table: Chick culling vs. in-ovo sexing

Practical checklist for consumers and advocates

• Check egg labels: Look for 'male chick-free', 'no-cull', or 'in-ovo sexed' on cartons. Brands like Rewe (Germany) and Coop (Switzerland) offer such eggs.
• Ask your supermarket: Contact customer service and ask if they source eggs from suppliers that use in-ovo sexing. Consumer demand drives change, as seen in the UK where Waitrose responded to public pressure.
• Support legislation: Sign petitions or write to your MP/MEP to support bans on chick culling. The European Citizens' Initiative 'End the Cage Age' (2021) showed the power of public pressure.
• Choose higher welfare systems: Pasture-raised and free-range eggs often have different breeding practices, though they still cull males in the USA. In the EU, free-range doesn't guarantee no-cull, but increasingly producers are adopting in-ovo sexing.
• Inform others: Share this article or videos from animal welfare organisations to raise awareness. Many people are simply unaware of the issue.
• Consider plant-based alternatives: As a long-term solution, reducing egg consumption directly reduces the demand for male chick culling. Even one plant-based meal a week helps.

"Key stat: In-ovo sexing can prevent the culling of up to 7 billion male chicks annually, but only if adopted globally. As of 2024, only a small fraction of hatcheries use this technology, with Germany and France leading the way."

Egg cartons with cull-free labels on a supermarket shelf

What you can do next

Now that you understand the practice and its alternatives, your next step is to make informed choices. Start by reading this page again and noting the key numbers — you can use them in conversations or social media posts. Then, when you next buy eggs, take a moment to check the label, and if it doesn't mention no-cull, choose a brand that does. You can also to sign a petition or donate to organisations like Humane League or Compassion in World Farming, which work to end chick culling. Perhaps most importantly, share this information with friends and family — transforming this issue from a hidden practice into a widely known one is the first step toward ending it. Every egg purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to build, and in-ovo sexing gives you a way to vote for compassion without giving up eggs.

A note on the future

The future of chick culling is likely to be a combination of technological innovation, regulation, and consumer pressure. In-ovo sexing is improving rapidly, with new methods like Raman spectroscopy and CRISPR-based sex selection on the horizon, as reported by WATTAgNet (2023). Regulatory bans are spreading, with Germany mandating in-ovo sexing by 2024, and the EU considering a similar policy, according to the European Commission (2023). Meanwhile, consumer awareness is growing, as evidenced by successful campaigns from groups like Open Philanthropy, which funded research on the issue. However, the ultimate solution lies in shifting our protein consumption toward plant-based sources, which would eliminate the entire egg industry's need for male chicks. Until that day, every successful adoption of in-ovo sexing is a significant welfare win, and you can be part of it by staying informed and acting on that knowledge.

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