Can this new technology finally end chick culling in egg industry?

Each year, the UK consumes 12billion eggs, resulting in the cull of 45illion male chicks in the process. 

According to a new poll by Dutch firm In Ovo, two-thirds of the British public now wants to see this ‘unacceptable’ practice stopped. New legislation should be introduced to prevent ongoing unnecessary deaths. 

In the production of eggs for human consumption, for every female chick born the equivalent number of males will be destroyed simply because they can’t lay eggs. The approach is notoriously brutal, and involves ‘grinding’, ‘shredding’, and ‘mincing’ the unwanted birds. 

In Ovo has now developed a new test which can determine the sex of an egg long before it begins to develop, allowing the unborn fetus to be used in other products, without causing any pain. Ella, as the machine behind the process is known, can successfully test 1,000 eggs per hour, and only adds 6p to the cost of a half-dozen box of eggs.

Once introduced to a facility, startup costs for the new equipment are mitigated as the improved efficiency means more profit per hen over a bird’s 400 egg lifespan. it is hoped that through this and other similar technologies, In Ovo can improve the lives of 5 billion animals by 2030. 

78% of Britons in a survey of 2,000 believe the machine should be standardised across the egg industry, with 65% describing the alternative culling approach as ‘unacceptable’ and 63% advocating new laws to stop the practice altogether. Almost 69% would prefer to eat ‘cruelty-free’ eggs, and more than 54% would be happy to pay and average of 80p more for  box of six eggs if this avoided killing male chicks. 44% would switch supermarkets to buy more ethical packs. 

‘UK supermarkets have been listening to customers for many years about the importance of ensuring that the food on our shelves has the highest possible welfare standards and is clearly labelled, and in many areas, we have made good progress,’ said Judith Batchelar, advisor to In Ovo, whose CV include stints at Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, and Safeway.

‘But the fact that chick culling is still happening in the UK is disappointing. The technology to end chick culling now exists, that means we can ensure the eggs we put in our basket can be cull free – with all the ethical and environmental benefits that brings,’ she continued.

More on food and the environment: 

https://environmentjournal.online/headlines/sustainable-supermarket-choices/

Image: In Ovo