How the Genus Focus Became a Key Driver in Ending Chick Culling in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has taken a big step in animal welfare by deciding to end the controversial practice of chick culling by 2026. In February, The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature announced its roadmap to end chick culling for table eggs. With globally rising consumer demand for ethically-produced eggs and the availability of innovative technologies, the Netherlands is transforming its layer sector at the perfect time. At the forefront of this transformation is Orbem’s cutting-edge in-ovo sexing solution, which provides a viable and scalable alternative to the traditional methods that result in the culling of millions of male chicks annually.

Recognizing recent trends and the opportunity presented by technological innovation, the Dutch government and industry stakeholders have been actively seeking alternatives to eliminate chick culling while maintaining economic viability for poultry farmers. The roadmap they developed in tight collaboration reflects a strong commitment across government bodies, industry stakeholders, and animal welfare organizations to enhance ethical, sustainable practices within the Dutch poultry sector and increase profitability.

Orbem developed an innovative, contactless solution to analyze eggs comprehensively and at an early stage, post-fertilization. Our in-ovo sexing technology, fully automated by Vencomatic Group, eliminates the need to cull male chicks and presents hatcheries with a more economic and sustainable alternative. Leveraging advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Artificial Intelligence to analyze eggs quickly and accurately, our technology identifies male embryos before pain perception develops. The non-invasive nature of the method ensures high accuracy while maintaining optimal hatching conditions for all breeds and egg colors. The Genus Focus for in-ovo sexing has already been installed in two of the three commercial layer hatcheries in the Netherlands since last year: Pluriton and TerHeerdt/Verbeek. In addition to exports to Germany, these Dutch hatcheries can now also cater to inland demand that is sure to grow over the following months.

Hans Groot Koerkamp, Managing Director at Pluriton, commented:

“As Pluriton, we are very pleased and proud of the fact that we, as market parties: COBK (Central Organisation of Hatching Eggs and Chicks), Anevei (General Dutch Association of Egg Traders), LTO/NOP (agricultural and horticultural organization / Dutch Organisation of Poultry Farmers), NVP (Dutch Poultry Farmers’ Union), LVVN (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature) and Animal Protection, have made a market agreement on no longer killing day-old male chicks for table eggs for the Dutch and German market. With its innovative MRI-based sex determination technique, the Genus Focus, Pluriton can already provide an excellent solution for the supply of OKT (‘Ohne Küken Töten’ = no male chicks culled) laying chicks and 17-week-old pullets. With the purchase of OKT table eggs, the retailer and consumer can show that the Dutch poultry sector does not need legislation to meet market requirements.”

In a similar vein, the teams at TerHeerdt and Verbeek remarked:

“As a sector, we are once again demonstrating our innovation and our commitment to addressing societal demands. This development marks the end of culling male chicks in the egg-laying poultry industry.”

The adoption of Orbem and Vencomatic Group’s in-ovo sexing technology marked a significant milestone for the Dutch poultry industry. By integrating this technology into hatchery operations, the Netherlands can:

• Comply with animal welfare regulations: The decision to end chick culling for table eggs aligns with the country’s commitment to ethical farming practices.
• Reduce economic losses: Avoiding the costs associated with culling allows hatcheries to operate more efficiently.
• Improve sustainability: Preventing the incubation of male chicks reduces resource consumption, including feed, water, and energy.
• Enhance consumer trust: Ethical egg production practices build consumer confidence and demand for Dutch eggs in both domestic and international markets.

The Netherlands’ decision to eliminate chick culling sets a precedent for other countries looking to improve their animal welfare standards alongside profitability and sustainability in the poultry sector. Having adopted the Genus Focus for in-ovo sexing, the Dutch poultry industry is leading by example, proving that innovation and ethics can go hand-in-hand. As more countries recognize the benefits of this approach, Orbem’s technology is poised to become a global standard, driving positive change across the entire poultry industry.

By embracing innovation, the Netherlands is protecting animal welfare and reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable and ethical agriculture. The collaboration between technology pioneers like Orbem and the poultry sector demonstrates that humane solutions are not only possible, but economically viable, paving the way for a more responsible future in egg production.