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Every year, billions of male chicks are culled in egg production—yet growing technologies like “in‑ovo sexing” are changing the game. The UK Animal Welfare Committee recently recommended a ban on chick culling—and in‑ovo sexing is emerging as a humane, viable solution. In this article, we explain what it is, how it works, and what it could mean for UK producers.
A non-invasive method to determine chick sex while still in the egg, using biomarkers or AI-imaging
Technologies include biomarker analysis (e.g., Seleggt) and AI-imaging systems from companies like Orbem. Many EU farms already use this tech—UK adoption is growing.
Higher per‑egg cost now (~$3.80 vs $0.95), but ethical marketing premium + lower male chick disposal costs provide a clear ROI.


