Opting out of chick killing

In the past, male chicks were killed after hatching for the simple reason that hens lay eggs and cockerels do not. This practice changed with the entry into force of the German Law banning the killing of chicks in Germany. Applicable as of 1 January 2022, this Law states that hatched male chicks may no longer be killed. KAT has fully incorporated this ban into its guidelines. For consumers, this means that egg packs bearing the KAT logo will in future only contain eggs laid by hens from establishments where the male chicks, the "brothers" of the female chicks, have either been reared alongside the females or where the embryos were sexed prior to hatching.

Important: Although this Law only applies in Germany, the new KAT guidelines are also applicable to establishments that supply the KAT system from abroad.

  • Approved selection procedures

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    In order to sort out male chicks from the hatching eggs, in-ovo sex identification methods are used. In this way, it is possible to determine at an early stage before the chicks hatch whether a female or male chick will hatch from the egg, so that the male hatching eggs can be separated out before hatching. All selection procedures that are currently legally approved are also recognised for the KAT system.

    Further information on these legally approved selection procedures can be found on the websites of the technology provider:

  • Guaranteeing the avoidance of chick killing

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    KAT is currently working on the establishment of an assurance of origin system covering the individual stages, from the hatchery to rearing to the laying farm. This will ensure that, with effect from 1 January 2022, all chicks hatched in KAT-certified farms will comply with the ban on chick killing.

    The system operates on a batch basis. This means that each time a report is entered in the KAT database, a batch is generated in the system that uniquely identifies the establishment and flock. The batch reports are all linked, so that each life stage of the laying hen/cockerel is clearly traceable.

  • The traceability system in detail

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    Traceability throughout the entire life cycle

    Starting in the hatchery, every hatched bird must now be documented in the database for the KAT system. If the cockerels are not reared but sorted out before hatching using one of the legally approved selection procedures, the sexing method used must also be recorded in the database. The complete further life path of the hatched chicks – via the rearing farm to the laying henhouse (female birds) or slaughterhouse (male birds) – is subsequently documented.

    The database reports are regularly checked for completeness and plausibility by KAT auditors on site at the establishments. The aim is to ensure complete, quantity-based and transparent traceability across all stages and throughout the entire rearing/selection process, right up to the laying henhouse.

    Just as it has for laying farms, KAT has prepared guides stipulating minimum equirements for housing conditions for young hens as well as for their male counterparts, the cockerels. Compliance with these requirements is regularly monitored by independent accredited certification agencies.


Members & System Participants