New Emerging Tech to End Male Chick Culling

The egg industry grinds billions of male chicks every year because they don’t lay eggs. But recent technological advancements could change this dark reality. Imagine a world where male chicks are no longer born just to be culled within hours. This is becoming a reality, thanks to in-ovo sexing technology. Around 10 to 20 percent of Europe’s hen flock now comes from cull-free hatcheries, which have already saved tens of millions of male chicks from being born just to be killed.

In-ovo sexing technology identifies a chick’s sex while still in the egg. The chick is spared the pain of being culled by destroying the male chick embryo before it hatches. However, there is still debate about when chicks can feel pain during incubation. A recent German study suggests that pain perception might only be possible after day 12 of the incubation period, but future research could change this understanding.

While many European countries are moving to ban male chick culling, the United States lags. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research offers up to $6 million in prizes to in-ovo sexing researchers and startups to advance the technology. Respeggt, a company that offers cull-free eggs in Europe, hopes to expand into the US and help pioneer a new higher-welfare egg category.

Although the technology shows promise, it must meet specific criteria for widespread adoption. These criteria include high-volume processing, effectiveness for white and brown eggs, 98% or higher accuracy, low cost, early identification in the incubation period, and high hatchability rates. As technology advances, the perfect solution will likely be found.

It’s time for everyone to come together and demand an end to the brutal culling of billions of male chicks. Luckily, many countries are banning the culling of male chicks. Italy recently announced a ban on culling male chicks by 2026. Germany has officially also banned culling through new animal welfare laws.

Sign this petition to demand an end to culling chicks.

Not Your Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content:

• France and Germany Team Up to End Male Chick Culling
• Italy to Ban Culling of Male Chicks by 2026
• Petition: Ban the Culling of Male Chicks
• Researchers Develop Gene-Edited Hens to Help Stop Slaughter of Billions of Male Chicks
• Germany Officially Bans Baby Chick Culling In New Animal Welfare Law

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