Egg Producer Kipster Uses In Ovo Sexing Technology to End Industry Practice of Male Chick Culling at Hatch
Media assets found here(the farm) and here(in ovo).
A bittersweet moment for a forward-thinking egg farmer who strives to raise male chickens. Kipster is among the first brands using in-ovo sexing technology to prioritize a more humane, sustainable food system.
Kipster introduces in-ovo sexing to reduce chick culling in U.S.
North Manchester, Indiana, June 18, 2025 – Kipster, a global leader in animal welfare and sustainable egg farming, announces the use of in-ovo sexing technology. This serves as an alternative to culling male chicks at hatch.The company is second in the U.S. to use this cutting-edge approach. It allows for the sex determination of chick embryos in hatching eggs during incubation. The eggs with males are immediately removed once identified. This prevents the hatching and culling of the day-old male chicks, as is common in the U.S. egg industry.
350 million male chicks killed yearly in the U.S. egg industry
The U.S. egg industry kills over 350 million male chicks each year after they hatch because they are deemed useless. They do not lay eggs and are not bred to put on as much weight as fast as broiler chickens. Opposed to the common practice of decades ago, when people consumed the by-product of egg farms as food — the male chickens. Nowadays, people eat predominantly meat chickens from the broiler industry.
Kipster aims to raise roosters instead of killing them
Kipster’s goal is to give roosters a place in the food system. In doing so, the company makes use of all animals born into its poultry farms. Kipster is the very first commercial egg producer in the U.S. to not cull its male chicks when its U.S. farm opened in 2022. This approach is similar to Kipster’s practices in Europe. However, the company had to resort to doing so for the first time in 2024. This was due to a lack of suitable infrastructure and a retail market for males from breeds commonly used for egg production.
Temporary switch to in-ovo sexing technology due to lack of infrastructure
“We’re disappointed that we haven’t yet succeeded in raising male chicks in the U.S.,” said Ruud Zanders, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Kipster. “We see this as a shortcoming on our part—a failure to fully live up to our own vision. But allowing chicks to hatch only to be immediately gassed or macerated is standard industry practice in the U.S. That is simply not an option for us. That’s why we’re turning to in-ovo sexing as a temporary alternative.”
Upcoming Kipster flocks will be free of chick culling
This choice allows Kipster to stay true to its values around animal welfare and waste reduction. At the same time, the company continues to work toward a more structural solution. Male embryos that are not identified by the in-ovo technology — about 0.5%, or roughly 150–200 chicks — will not be culled. They are planned to be raised at a farm. This means that the upcoming Kipster flock will be free of chick culling.
Respeggt technology allows DNA-based embryo sexing
The Respeggt in-ovo sexing technology is used for the Kipster-hatching eggs at a Hendrix ISA hatchery. It is the first technology in the U.S. that uses DNA analysis to identify the sex of the embryos. It can be applied to both white and brown layer hen breeds.
Expanding transparent and welfare-driven egg production in the U.S.
Originally launching in the Netherlands in 2017, Kipster started egg production in the U.S. with its partner, MPS Egg Farms, in December 2022. Its eggs are available at Kroger and its many other site banners in 28 states. The first eggs produced by in-ovo sexed hens will be coming to the market in early 2026. It will take at least a year before all Kipster eggs will be free of male chick culling. Raising male chicks or applying in-ovo sexing is only one ethical practice at Kipster. These are part of a wider, continuous effort. The goal is to improve the living conditions and welfare of the laying hens and roosters.
Join the conversation about animal welfare and food systems
The company invites stakeholders and the public to engage in discussions about this significant change. Input and ideas are welcome. Please email us at egg@kipster.farm to help prompt more solutions to further Kipster’s ethical and environmental standards.
The ASPCA® on ending chick culling
“We applaud Kipster for being one of the first companies to adopt in-ovo sexing technology in the United States. This aligns with their commitment to end male chick culling. Now, consumers can know that the animals in Kipster’s supply chain are raised with higher welfare standards. They will also be hatched more humanely. We hope many other egg companies that are still practicing male chick culling follow suit. This would help make meaningful change for baby chicks.”
—Nancy Roulston, Senior Director of Corporate Policy and Animal Science
Mercy For Animals: “This is the next step”
”Mercy For Animals commends Kipster’s leadership on adopting in-ovo sexing in the United States. Consumers are horrified to learn that male chicks in the egg industry are routinely killed, often ground up alive, shortly after hatching. They’re deemed useless by the industry. Kipster’s latest commitment to in-ovo sexing demonstrates its dedication to transparency. It also reflects a continuous effort to improve animal welfare.”
—Leah Garcés, CEO and president
Humane World for Animals
“We are encouraged when producers, like Kipster, take innovative approaches towards improving animal welfare. By embracing technology to determine the sex of chicks before they hatch, egg producers can avoid the current practice of killing day-old male chicks. This, in turn, reduces animal suffering.”
—Karla Dumas, Vice President, Farm Animal Protection
Innovate Animal Ag, a Poultry Industry Think Tank
The introduction of in-ovo sexing technology will allow specialty egg producers to create a new value-added category of more ethical eggs. This category will be massively successful in the market. Cost-effective technological solutions to major challenges like chick culling are critical to modernizing the U.S. egg supply chain. They are also essential to restoring consumer trust in animal agriculture. We applaud Kipster for continuing to demonstrate their leadership in the egg industry. They are one of the first producers to use this technology in the U.S.”
—Robert Yaman, CEO
The Humane League urges industry-wide adoption
“Each year, at just one day old, billions of male chicks are killed without a second thought. They are deemed a “by-product” by the egg industry. Years ago, The Humane League was instrumental in encouraging United Egg Producers to ban this practice that had become the standard in all commercial egg production. With alternative methods available, we’re eager to see male chick culling come to an end once and for all. We encourage all egg producers to adopt in-ovo sexing technologies like Kipster has to put a stop to this practice.”
—Giovana Vieira, Senior Animal Welfare Scientist
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About Kipster
With the first farm open in October 2017 in the Netherlands, Kipster is a pioneer in sustainable and transparent farming. The company has consistently challenged conventional agriculture practices. It aims for a food system that respects farm animal welfare and minimizes environmental impact. In the U.S. the Kipster farm in North Manchester, Indiana produces the nation’s first certified climate-neutral eggs. They also recieved Compassion in World Farming’s Good Egg Award in 2024. The eggs are currently available in 12-count egg cartons at Kroger and its other banners in 28 states. Including; Kroger, Ralphs, Kings Soopers, QFC, Fred Meyer, City Market, Fry’s, Smiths, Mariano’s, Pick ‘n Save and Metro Markets and Smiths. For more information on Kipster, please visit https://www.kipster.farm.
Kipster Media Relations Contacts
Sandra Vijn
sandra@kipster.farm
215-704-9451
