What Happens to Male Chicks in Egg Farming?

The egg industry is a massive global enterprise that provides billions of eggs to consumers worldwide. Behind this operation lies a little-discussed reality: the fate of male chicks in egg production. Since males cannot lay eggs and aren’t typically raised for meat in the layer chicken industry, their existence presents an economic challenge for hatcheries. This article explores the standard practices, ethical considerations, and emerging alternatives regarding male chicks in the egg industry, providing a comprehensive understanding of this controversial aspect of modern food production.

Egg production begins with hatcheries that incubate fertilized eggs to produce laying hens. When these eggs hatch, approximately half the chicks are female (pullets) and half are male (cockerels). The females are raised to become egg-laying hens, while the males present a dilemma for the industry. Males of egg-laying breeds grow too slowly and don’t develop enough breast meat to be economically viable for meat production compared to breeds specifically developed for that purpose.