What is Male Chick Culling?

In the UK egg industry, male chicks are routinely killed shortly after birth—around 45 million every year. This happens simply because they can’t lay eggs and are seen as surplus to requirements. Most are killed on their first day of life using methods such as gas or maceration (a euphemism for live shredding). Understandably, many people find this both cruel and outdated—especially when there are effective alternatives already in use elsewhere in the world.

Is This Legal in the UK?

Yes. UK law still permits the culling of day-old male chicks. The Welfare at Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 allows:

• Maceration
• Gas (e.g., argon)
• Cervical dislocation (only if no other method is available)

The law does specify that the process should be “as rapid as possible,” but it does not ban maceration, despite growing public discomfort with the practice [2].

Other Countries Are Leading the Way

Several European countries have already banned the routine culling of male chicks. These include:

• France
• Germany
• Austria

Other countries, like Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, are actively phasing it out [3].

France passed a national ban in 2022, making the use of in-ovo sexing (a technology that identifies the sex of a chick before it hatches) mandatory in hatcheries. Some exceptions remain for research and animal feed, but the message is clear: routine killing for industry convenience is no longer acceptable [4].

What is In-Ovo Sexing?

In-ovo sexing is a technology that identifies the sex of a chick inside the egg, allowing male eggs to be removed before they develop into live chicks. This means they are never born simply to die.

Companies like Respeggt and Kipster are now using this tech in countries with bans, and even in the U.S., producers are starting to adopt it [5].

This technology has now reached over 98% accuracy, making it a viable and humane alternative to chick culling [6].

The UK’s Own Animal Welfare Committee Supports a Ban

In 2023, the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC)—an official government advisory body—recommended that:

“The Government should make the routine culling of newly hatched chicks… illegal as soon as reliable, accurate methods for sexing eggs prior to hatch are available.” [1]

That condition has now been met.

Political and Public Momentum

In 2024, the Vegetarian Society launched the ‘Ban Hatch & Dispatch’ campaign to push for a UK ban. The response has been strong:

• Over 30 MPs, Peers, and organisations have signed an open letter calling for change [7]
• MPs have raised the issue in Parliament
• Minister for Food Security, Daniel Zeichner, publicly welcomed industry moves toward in-ovo technology

And the public agrees. A recent poll showed 76% of UK residents would be willing to pay just 1p more per egg to support farms that don’t cull male chicks [8].

What Needs to Happen Now

The UK has long been seen as a leader in animal welfare. But unless we act soon, we risk falling behind.

Yes, change will come with costs—but those can be fairly shared across the supply chain. And with public support already in place, this is the right time for progress.

How You Can Help

1. Sign the petition: hatchanddispatch.vegsoc.org
2. Write to your MP: Ask them to support a ban and raise the issue in Parliament.
3. Share the message: Post on social media, start a conversation, or link to this page to raise awareness.

Let’s make male chick culling a thing of the past in the UK.

References

1. Animal Welfare Committee, Opinion on chick culling alternatives (2023):
   Link to PDF
2. The Welfare at Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015, Schedule 2, Section 44:
   legislation.gov.uk
3. Our World In Data: Banning of chick culling by country
   Link
4. France ban announcement, Connexion France (2022):
   Link
5. Kipster announcement on Respeggt technology:
   Link
6. Research on in-ovo sexing reliability:
   ResearchGate
7. The Grocer: MPs call for Government action on chick culling (2024):
   Link
8. South West Farmer: Public support for end to culling
   Link

ENDS