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Male Chick Culling 2025-09-11
11 September 2025
Lead MP
Irene Campbell
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Irene Campbell raised concerns about male chick culling 2025-09-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I declare an interest: earlier this week, I hosted the 'Ban Hatch and Dispatch' event in Parliament with the Vegetarian Society. The practice of culling male chicks is a cruel process where newly hatched male chicks are killed because they cannot lay eggs or grow fat enough for meat. Globally, 6.5 billion newly hatched male chicks are culled annually, including 45 million in the UK. Research shows that chick embryos feel pain from day 13 of incubation, and alternatives like in-ovo technology can determine sex before hatch without causing distress. Germany, France, and Austria have banned this practice or adopted in-ovo technology voluntarily. I urge the Government to ban male chick culling and adopt in-ovo technology as soon as possible.
Maureen Burke
Lab
Glasgow North East
Considering advances made in determining sex before hatch, there is absolutely no excuse for commercial egg producers to cull so many animals.
Winchester
Similar technology can identify the sex of chicks and has worked well in the dairy industry. This could be replicated in poultry.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Given that male chick carcasses are used for animal feed, pet food, and bird of prey centres, we need to find a solution to meet this demand if we move to in-ovo sexing.
Government Response
Government Response
I thank my hon. Friend Irene Campbell for securing the debate on male chick culling. The UK has high animal welfare standards, but I acknowledge that many find the practice of culling day-old chicks incomprehensible and wasteful. Regulations ensure humane methods such as argon gas are used. While not a welfare issue per se, it is an ethical one requiring viable alternatives like in-ovo technology to be developed. Germany, France, and Austria have banned culling but faced issues with male chicks being transported elsewhere for killing. The Animal Welfare Committee recommended banning chick culling when reliable technologies are available. Any ban must address rearing and processing of male birds that hatch despite sexing technology. My hon. Friend raises valid points about the supply chain for animal feed, pet food, and bird of prey centres. This section would contain the minister’s response. In this case, there isn't a structured response but an informative text discussing government's stance on animal welfare and technological advancements.
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House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.