Killing chicks has been banned in Germany for a good two years – but not abroad. The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry therefore appeals to consumers to exercise caution when purchasing Easter eggs.
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry appeals to consumers to look closely when buying Easter eggs. “This year again, eggs and egg products will be offered at Easter, the brothers of the laying hens were killed during their production,” said association president Friedrich-Otto Ripke to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”.
The import of eggs or egg products for which chicks have been killed is not yet prohibited. This also applies to pre-colored eggs, which are offered in many places at Easter.
Raising roosters is often not worth it
This practice has not been allowed in Germany for a good two years. Until then, around 40 million roosters were killed every year immediately after hatching because they were not worth raising. In supermarkets, eggs without killing chicks are labeled accordingly.
Ripke advised not to save at the wrong end. In surveys, consumers have always rejected the killing of chicks. Now it’s time to shop accordingly. “There is no longer any reason to buy culled eggs other than the potentially cheaper price.” German laying hen farmers and hatcheries have made great efforts to stop killing chicks, said Ripke.
Are other countries following the German model?
Eggs are now determined at an early stage in hatcheries; eggs with male animals are sorted out well before they hatch. Alternatively, the roosters are raised and later slaughtered. Ripke was optimistic that other EU countries could soon follow Germany’s example.