Italy has taken a significant step toward improving animal welfare in the poultry sector by publishing a decree that sets clear guidelines for adapting hatcheries to in ovo sexing technology. The regulation aims to eliminate a long-standing industry practice: the systematic culling of male chicks at birth.
The prohibition is scheduled to come into force by the end of 2026, marking a major shift in how poultry production addresses ethics, sustainability, and efficiency. Once implemented, millions of animals will no longer be classified as non-productive waste, introducing animal welfare considerations at a much earlier stage of the food supply chain.
How in ovo sexing will transform hatcheries
In ovo sexing allows hatcheries to determine the sex of a chick before advanced embryonic development, preventing the hatching of male chicks that are unsuitable for egg production. Under the Italian decree, hatcheries must perform sex identification before the 14th day of incubation.
To comply, operators will need to invest in:
- Specialized in ovo sexing equipment
- Workforce training
- Adjustments to incubation and production workflows
Although current technologies offer very high accuracy, the regulation also includes operational controls to minimize errors and ensure consistent application across hatcheries.
Transparency, labeling, and consumer trust
The decree permits producers to voluntarily label egg packaging to indicate that male chicks were not sacrificed during production. Digital traceability tools and consumer awareness campaigns are also encouraged to improve transparency.
This shift reflects changing consumer expectations, where ethical and environmental production practices increasingly influence purchasing decisions. For producers, animal welfare is becoming not just a responsibility, but a competitive differentiator.
Part of a broader European movement
Italy joins several European countries that have already moved to prohibit the killing of male chicks, even in the absence of a unified EU-wide regulation. This proactive approach adds pressure for broader European harmonization, helping prevent market imbalances between countries with different welfare standards.
The Italian decree may serve as a benchmark for future regional and continental regulations, reinforcing animal protection as a core component of Europe’s environmental and agricultural agenda.
Environmental, ethical, and production benefits
Ending the culling of male chicks significantly reduces ethical concerns linked to intensive poultry farming. From an environmental standpoint, early sexing optimizes resource use by lowering unnecessary energy consumption, water usage, and transport linked to discarded chicks.
In the long term, the initiative supports more sustainable and responsible poultry production models, demonstrating how regulation, technology, and consumer awareness can collectively reshape the industry.
At Eggora, developments like these highlight how innovation and ethical practices are increasingly shaping the future of global poultry farming.