What are the humane ways of dispatching unwanted chicks in hatcheries?
A 27. Unwanted male chicks are often surplus to requirements in hatcheries and must be dealt with humanely by methods in accordance with Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (1995) as amended. Legal methods permitted include mechanical destruction (providing that the apparatus causes instantaneous death), exposure to specific gas mixtures as detailed in WASK (1995) or neck dislocation. Instantaneous mechanical destruction can present a humane option if the apparatus has mechanically operated killing blades or projections with the capacity to kill all chicks immediately. Gas killing can also be a humane option if prescribed concentrations of gas are used and best practice is followed. Though permitted by law, neck dislocation is not recommended by the HSA for the routine despatch of unwanted chicks as it does not consistently cause immediate insensibility to pain. The HSA has produced a booklet, ‘Code of Practice for the Disposal of Chicks in Hatcheries’ which can be or
