Researchers Develop Gene-Edited Hens to Help Stop Slaughter of Billions of Male Chicks

Israeli researchers have reportedly developed gene-edited hens that can lay eggs that only female chicks hatch from. This is to stop the slaughter of billions of male chicks.

Source: Animals Australia/YouTube

Billions of male chickens are culled each year because they don’t lay eggs and are, therefore, no use for the egg industry in which they were born.

According to the researchers, the female chicks and the eggs they law will have no trace of original generic alteration. Compassion in World Farming has backed the research.

This could have a huge impact on welfare in the poultry industry, and while it is a step toward better, it’s not the best we can do.

Scientists have gene-edited DNA into hens that can stop them from developing any male embryos in eggs that they lay. The DNA is activated when the eggs are exposed to blue light for several hours, BBC reported. Female chicks are not affected by blue light and can develop normally.

BBC reported that the researchers have not published their work because they are planning to license the technology through their company, Huminn Poultry. Because of this, scientists independent of the research group have not been able to assess or validate the claims.

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.

Related Content:

• Italy to Ban Culling of Male Chicks by 2026
• Germany Officially Bans Baby Chick Culling In New Animal Welfare Law
• Petition: Ban the Culling of Male Chicks
• France and Germany Team Up to End Male Chick Culling
• Over 700 Vultures Die in Sanctuary After Avian Flu Outbreak

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!