An investigation by the organization Mercy For Animals (MFA) documented the slaughter of approximately 35,000 chicks in a single day at a large hatchery in the Southern Region of Brazil. The company responsible was not named. The animals were killed in machines with high-speed rotating blades, being ground alive.
In the egg industry, male chicks are discarded less than 24 hours after birth, as they do not lay eggs and do not have adequate genetic characteristics for meat production. The investigation showed that, in addition to males, females that presented anomalies, deformities, bleeding, or premature birth were also eliminated in this manner.
The practice is common in the industry around the world, not being exclusive to Brazil. According to Luiza Schneider, Vice President of Investigations at MFA, the goal of the investigation was not to investigate a specific complaint, but rather to document this reality that permeates practically the entire industry, for the sake of investing in animal welfare.
