New technology to identify gender of chickens before they hatch

Egg farmers will soon be able to access technology that can identify the gender of chickens before they hatch.

Specialised Breeders Australia (SBA) is set to introduce “in-ovo sexing” technology for the first time into the Australian egg industry.

The company is the largest supplier of day-old chicks and point-of-lay pullets to commercial egg farms.

Egg Farmers of Australia (EFA) CEO Melinda Hashimoto said the move was an important advancement for commercial egg production.

“This advancement represents an important step forward in animal welfare by enabling the identification of the sex of a chick in the early incubation stage, therefore reducing the need for the culling of day-old male chicks,” Mrs Hashimoto said.

“It also reflects our industry’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and response to evolving community expectations.”

Mrs Hashimoto said in-ovo sexing would play an important role in supporting a sustainable and responsible egg supply chain.

“EFA will continue to work with industry partners, governments and stakeholders to ensure that new technologies are implemented in a practical science-based manner that supports both animal welfare and the long-term viability of egg farming in Australia.”

Australian egg farmers produce 18.8 million eggs a day from a national flock of 24 million hens.