Egg producer reaches 1.2 million chicks successfully hatched through in-ovo sexing technology, with 1.5 million expected by year-end as all three NestFresh brands commit to Humanely Hatched™

FULLERTON, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NestFresh, a leading humane egg producer in the U.S., today announced a major milestone in its Humanely Hatched™ program: 1.2 million chicks have now been successfully hatched using in-ovo sexing technology, helping spare 1.2 million male chicks from being euthanized after birth. The company expects that number to reach 1.5 million by the end of 2026.

The milestone marks a significant step forward in NestFresh's effort to bring in-ovo sexing to commercial scale in the U.S. egg industry. While more egg companies are beginning to announce commitments to in-ovo technology, NestFresh has been actively implementing the technology at scale since first bringing Humanely Hatched™ eggs to store shelves in 2025.

Now, the company is taking that commitment even further. New Barn Organics, NestFresh's brand focusing on regenerative organic agriculture, has officially transitioned to 100% Humanely Hatched™ sourcing, a major step for NestFresh's brand portfolio, with Country Hen committed to transition by 2027. New Barn Organics packaging will also begin carrying the Humanely Hatched™ label, giving consumers an easy way to identify eggs produced through the program. New Barn Organic's Humanely Hatched™ eggs will be rolling out on retail shelves through the end of the year

"Two years ago, in-ovo sexing was still something the industry was hesitant to talk about. We believed it could become a real, scalable solution, and we made the decision to invest in making it a reality," said Jasen Urena, Vice President of NestFresh. "Today, 1.2 million chicks later, we're proving that humane innovation isn't just possible at commercial scale, it's already making a measurable difference. And this is just the beginning. We are committed to rapidly expanding the program and sparing millions of male chicks in the years ahead."

In-ovo sexing technology identifies the sex of a developing chick before hatching, allowing eggs determined to be male to be diverted from the traditional hatching process and eliminating the need for their routine euthanizing after birth. NestFresh's Humanely Hatched™ program utilizes Cheggy technology, developed by Agri Advanced Technologies, a non-invasive in-ovo sexing system designed to support scalable commercial egg production. The program is verified under Certified Humane® standards through Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), reinforcing NestFresh's commitment to animal welfare alongside technological innovation.

NestFresh first introduced Humanely Hatched™ eggs to consumers in late 2024 as an early U.S. adopter of in-ovo sexing technology. Since then, the company has expanded the program across its portfolio and retail network, including Whole Foods Market, H-E-B, Food Lion, Albertsons, Harris Teeter and Publix.

The 1.2 million milestone comes as animal welfare organizations and consumers increasingly spotlight male chick culling in the egg industry, including the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). NestFresh eggs are listed on ASPCA ShopKind™, a consumer tool that helps shoppers seeking more humane groceries find the options closest to them. With Humanely Hatched™ eggs already available to consumers nationwide, NestFresh is positioning the program as a tangible solution shoppers can support through their everyday purchases.

"Finally, the culling of male chicks can become a thing of the past: in-ovo sexing technology is readily available, designed for large-scale commercial hatcheries, and has a very high accuracy rate," said Nancy Roulston, Senior Director of Corporate Policy & Animal Scientist for the ASPCA. "When an animal welfare problem is identified and a feasible solution is developed, consumers expect an industry to adopt it — and that is exactly what NestFresh has done. We applaud NestFresh for their leadership in helping to end male chick culling and verifying these practices with clear labelling, which allows consumers to support change for animals in the marketplace."

For more information about NestFresh and Humanely Hatched™, visit NestFresh.com.

ABOUT NESTFRESH
NestFresh is dedicated to producing the freshest, most humane, and sustainable eggs. Established in 1991, NestFresh was one of the first companies to offer cage-free eggs and has since grown to exclusively offer Free Range and Pasture Raised eggs. NestFresh eggs come from small family farms committed to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. All NestFresh farms are Certified Humane® by Humane Farm Animal Care, ensuring that hens are raised under the highest standards of care, allowing them to live natural lives and express their innate behaviors. NestFresh products, a variety of which are listed on ASPCA ShopKind™, are available nationwide at retailers including Whole Foods Market, H-E-B, Food Lion, Albertsons, Harris Teeter, and Publix, among others.

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SOURCE NestFresh