Ban Hatch & Dispatch – Frequently Asked Questions

Q – What is male chick culling? 

A – Male chick culling refers to the egg industry’s practice of killing male chicks – often the day they are born. Although some chicks are killed with the gruesome practice of maceration, this is more common overseas. Most male chicks are killed by gassing in the UK. 

Q – Why does the egg industry kill male chicks? 

As male chicks cannot lay eggs, they aren’t commercially valuable to the egg industry. Rather than spend money on raising the chicks, the industry kills them at first opportunity. 

Q – Will banning male chick culling make eggs significantly more expensive? 

A – It is estimated that implementing sexing technology will make each egg on average 1p more expensive – however, 77% of the UK public would be willing to pay an extra penny i.e. an extra 6p for a box of six eggs, with 60% willing to pay an extra 25p for the same. 

Q – Have other countries banned this practice? 

A – Yes, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, have already implemented a ban, and Norway and Italy are in the process of phasing it out. 

Q – What is Day Zero Technology vs In-Egg Sexing? 

A – Day Zero technology would allow genetic manipulation of chickens to prevent them from producing male eggs. In-Egg Sexing works around the 9-10 day mark of an egg’s development to determine whether it will develop into a male or female chick. 

Q – Why doesn’t the egg industry already do this? 

A – Although the technology already exists, the egg industry is delaying its adoption in the UK. It argues that Day Zero technology is the only way of solving the issue – despite this not being commercially available yet. The industry argues that the current technology is too expensive and would force them to raise prices too much – despite already being used across Europe. 

Q – How many chicks would this technology help? 

A – Around 45 million male chicks are killed in the UK every year. In egg sexing technology has a 98% success rate. Using it would prevent the vast majority of these chicks from being born only to be killed within hours.   

Q- What has the Government said already about this? 

A – The Government included ending male chick culling in its Animal Welfare Strategy in December 2025, the first time the issue has been included in an official Government strategy. 

Q – Do any MPs support ending male chick culling? 

A – Yes, over 100 MPs have taken action to support an end to the practice. 

Q – How can I get involved? 

A – You can sign our petition here. You can also write to your MP with our easy tool. 

Q – Is there any popular support for ending male chick culling? 

A – Around 40,000 people have already signed our petition. Our research shows that most Britons support introducing in egg sexing technology, even if it raises prices a little. 

Q – Have any notable people supported the campaign? 

A – Yes, the campaign has support from a number of well-known people from across the food, entertainment and healthcare industries. You can read more about them all here.