The German government has adopted legislation that bans the culling of day-old layer males, starting from 2022. The new regulations have been under discussion for quite some years now, driven by public concerns surrounding welfare. With the first viable methods of in ovo sex determination being commercialised, the government has now taken the next step. As a consequence every egg sold in Germany will come from layers that either have no hatched brothers or the males will be raised for meat. With in ovo sex determination still in its early days, raising roosters is seen as a serious option in organic production and beyond. Costs and efficiency are an issue, as layer males have a high FCR and low meat potential but raising the birds with a purpose does resonate well with consumers.