Written by Kathy Wheatley on
 December 20, 2024

New Technology Revolutionizes US Egg Industry By Halting Male Chick Culling

In a groundbreaking shift within the poultry sector, a technological solution has made a significant stride towards ethical farming practices by sparing millions of male chicks annually. The U.S. egg industry, historically known for culling around 350 million male chicks each year because they cannot lay eggs, is now embracing a novel approach that could potentially end this practice.

This technology, therefore, allows for the identification and utilization of male chick embryos for alternative purposes, significantly reducing the annual cull, The Associated Press reported.

Historically, the industry has viewed male chicks as economically unviable because they do not lay eggs. As a result, these chicks have routinely been culled shortly after hatching, a practice that has sparked ethical debates and concerns over animal welfare for decades.

After more than a decade of research, German-based Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT) developed this solution. The new technology, named Cheggy, provides a non-invasive way to determine the sex of chicken embryos within the eggs before they hatch.

Moreover, Cheggy, capable of processing up to 25,000 eggs per hour, has already been implemented in Iowa, at the nation's largest chick hatchery. The hatchery manages about 387,000 eggs daily, serving as a significant test ground for this innovation.

New Method Detects Chick Gender Using Advanced Imaging

The technology uses high-intensity light and sensitive cameras to analyze feather shading within the egg, which differs between males and females. Specifically, white feathers indicate a male, while darker feathers suggest a female. This crucial distinction, therefore, allows hatcheries to separate the eggs based on the predicted gender of the chick inside.

Moreover, this procedure does not require piercing the eggshell, thus preserving the integrity of the egg during the process. It is important to note that, at present, this technology applies only to brown eggs. This limitation exists because male and female chicks in white eggs do not show a noticeable difference in feather color during the embryo stage.

Furthermore, brown shell eggs, which are prevalent in Europe and preferred by U.S. consumers of cage-free, free-range, and organic eggs, are the primary focus of this technology. In addition, an identical system has also been installed in Texas, reflecting the growing adoption of this humane method across key locations in the U.S.

Market Introduction and Consumer Impact of Cheggy

NestFresh Eggs will supply eggs from hens screened through this system, with products expected to hit store shelves by mid-July. The company has planned extensive marketing campaigns to highlight the humane aspects of their eggs, potentially appealing to ethically conscious consumers.

Jasen Urena, executive vice president of NestFresh Eggs, expressed his optimism about the technology's impact on animal welfare: "It's a huge jump in animal welfare," he stated.

On the scientific and ethical front, the sentiments echo positivity and cautious optimism. Jörg Hurlin, managing director at Agri Advanced Technologies, remarked, "We now have ethically produced eggs we can feel good about," underscoring the shift towards more responsible production practices.

Broadening Perspectives on Animal Welfare

Animal welfare groups have received the technology with cautious optimism. Walter Sanchez-Suarez, an animal behavior and welfare scientist at Mercy for Animals, acknowledged the advancement the technology represents but advised viewing it as a starting point to address broader issues within the industry.

"Mercy for Animals thinks this is an important step, but poultry producers shouldn't stop there and should try to see all the additional problems that are associated with this type of practice in egg production," Sanchez-Suarez said.

Suzanne Millman, a professor at Iowa State University, weighed in on the culling process being stopped by this technology: "Does the animal suffer? No, because it's instantaneous death. But it's not pretty because it's a series of rotating blades," she explained, highlighting the grim reality that has been the status quo until now.

As this innovative technology spreads and evolves, it could set a new standard for how the poultry industry reconciles productivity with animal welfare. Reducing the culling of millions of chicks not only alleviates significant ethical concerns but may also enhance consumer trust and support for the industry as a whole.

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About Kathy Wheatley

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