The mass slaughter of male chicks will be banned in Germany from the beginning of next year, the Bundestag announced on Thursday.

The federal government passed legislation prohibiting the traditional chick farming method — a practice that critics have long criticized as unethical.

Chicken farms around the world traditionally slaughter male chicks by the millions shortly after hatching because they cannot lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production, meaning that raising them would not be economically viable.
The mass slaughter of male chicks will be banned in Germany from the beginning of next year, the Bundestag announced on Thursday.

The federal government passed legislation prohibiting the traditional chick farming method — a practice that critics have long criticized as unethical.

Chicken farms around the world traditionally slaughter male chicks by the millions shortly after hatching because they cannot lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production, meaning that raising them would not be economically viable.