Male chick culling

Male chicks are considered a by-product in the laying hen sector. For that reason, millions of day-old male chicks are killed every year in hatcheries in the European Union by means of maceration or gasification. The problem was highlighted during a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in October 2022, with some Member States calling for a ban on these practices. The European Commission responded positively to the call and has committed to carry out an impact assessment with a view to making a legislative proposal.