In the layer hen industry, male chicks are routinely killed at one day old. This is because they cannot lay eggs, and are considered unsuitable for meat production, and therefore viewed as a byproduct of the industry. Male chicks are killed either by maceration (being shredded) or by gassing.

SPCA advocates for the egg industry to invest in the implementation of alternative strategies to reduce or eliminate the killing of male chicks as soon as possible.

SPCA supports the use of technologies that allow for identification of male chicks before hatching to minimise negative welfare impacts.