the egg-producing hybrid. As a consequence, the males of egg-laying chickens are killed as soon as possible after hatching and sexing to reduce financial losses incurred by the breeder. Special techniques have been developed to accurately determine the sex of chicks at as young an age as possible. In November 2018, the "world's first industry-scale production no-kill eggs" were sold to the public in Berlin, Germany. Methods Several methods are used to cull chicks: Maceration (also called 'grinding', 'shredding' or 'mincing'); the chicks are placed into a large high-speed grinder. Asphyxiation (also called 'gassing' or 'controlled atmosphere killing'); carbon dioxide is used to induce unconsciousness and then death. Cervical dislocation; the neck is broken. Electrocution; an electric current is passed through the chick's body until it is dead. Suffocation; the chicks are placed in plastic bags. Permitted methods in the EU Authorised procedures for killing chicks have been harmonised within the European Union. The regulations initiated in 1976 evolved in 1993, the first directive to specifically take chicks into account. A new directive was adopted in 2009, enacted on 1 January 2013 (replacing the 1993 directive) and last updated on 14 December 2019: "Use of a mechanical apparatus causing rapid death" (essentially grinding) "Exposure to carbon dioxide" (essentially gassing) Recommended methods in the US The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) "Euthanasia" methods include: cervical dislocation, maceration, and asphyxiation by carbon dioxide. The 2005–2006 AMVA Executive Board proposed a policy change, recommended by the Animal Welfare Committee on the killing of unwanted chicks, poults, and pipped eggs. The policy states: 'Unwanted chicks, poults, and pipped eggs should be killed by an acceptable humane method, such as use of a commercially designed macerator that results in instantaneous death. Smothering unwanted chicks or poults in bags or containers is not acceptable. Pips, unwanted chicks, or poults should be killed prior to disposal. A pipped egg, or pip, is one where the chick or poult has not been successful in escaping the egg shell during the hatching process.' US producers announced in 2016 a goal of being able by 2020 to determine the sex of the developing chick long before hatching, so male eggs can be destroyed. However in January 2020 they stated that killing day-old male chicks remains unavoidable due to the lack of a viable alternative. Statistics Worldwide: approximately 7 billion male chicks are culled annually around the world (2015 Poultry Site