Culled for chickens means selectively removing birds from a flock, often due to poor health, low productivity, or to control disease spread.
The term “culled” in chicken farming refers to the process of removing and typically killing birds from a flock. While often sanitized in agricultural language, culling represents a brutal reality in poultry production where chickens are systematically eliminated for economic, health, or population control reasons.
Why Chickens Get Culled: The Main Reasons
1. Economic Factors
Feed represents the largest expense in chicken farming. Any bird that costs more to maintain than its potential profit gets culled. This includes:
- Male chicks in egg-laying operations (they can’t lay eggs)
- Older hens with declining egg production
- Slow-growing meat birds
2. Health Issues
Sick or injured chickens are routinely culled to prevent disease spread. Common health-related culling reasons include:
- Broken bones (common in egg-laying hens due to calcium depletion)
- Inability to walk or move normally
- Contagious diseases
3. Population Control
During crises like the 2020 pandemic or current avian flu outbreaks, mass culling occurs when processing capacity can’t handle flock numbers. Over 57 million chickens were culled in 2022 alone due to avian flu.
Common Culling Methods
| Method | Used For | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Maceration (grinding) | Day-old male chicks | Industry standard but controversial |
| Ventilation shutdown | Mass depopulation | Used during disease outbreaks |
| Cervical dislocation | Individual birds | Manual neck breaking |
| Electrocution | Various ages | Used in slaughterhouses too |
| Carbon dioxide | Various ages | Alternative to maceration |
The Emotional Toll of Culling
As discussed in our article about bonding with chickens, these animals can form strong connections with humans. Many backyard farmers struggle with culling decisions, especially when dealing with:
- Rooster aggression issues (too many males in a flock)
- Favorite chickens that stop producing
- Chicks you’ve raised from birth
One farmer shared: “I tried giving the younger rooster away but was told he would be butchered. I’m having a hard time with this decision.” This emotional conflict is common among small-scale chicken keepers.
Alternatives to Killing
While commercial operations have little flexibility, backyard farmers have more options:
1. Rehoming
You can specify that the chicken should be kept as a pet, though as noted in our introducing chickens guide, transitions require care.
2. Separation
Maintaining separate areas for problem birds may work temporarily.
3. Natural Population Control
Allowing hens to brood fewer eggs reduces future culling needs.
The Future of Culling
New technologies may reduce some culling practices. In-ovo sex determination could eliminate male chick culling in egg production. Some countries like Germany have banned chick maceration entirely.
For small flock owners, the decision ultimately comes down to balancing practical flock management with personal ethics. As one farmer put it: “It was a great life, and just one bad day.” This perspective helps some cope with the difficult but sometimes necessary practice of culling chickens.