An incubation tray is disclosed, including an enclosure with a plurality of egg placements for carrying eggs for incubation within an egg incubator. The incubation tray includes a tester unit including plurality of inspection modules in the enclosure associated with the plurality of egg placements. The inspection modules, each includes radiation emitter(s) and sensor(s), and are configured and operable for respectively inspecting the plurality of eggs located in the egg placements, by irradiating the eggs with radiation from a lateral side of the eggs and measuring a radiation response coming in response to the irradiation from a lateral side of the eggs, giving rise to measured data indicative of conditions of the eggs. The measured data may be processed to determine dynamic and static parameters of the radiation response from which a physiological development stage, and growth of the embryos within the eggs can be estimated.

An incubation tray is disclosed, including an enclosure with a plurality of egg placements for carrying eggs for incubation within an egg incubator. The incubation tray includes a tester unit including plurality of inspection modules in the enclosure associated with the plurality of egg placements. The inspection modules, each includes radiation emitter(s) and sensor(s), and are configured and operable for respectively inspecting the plurality of eggs located in the egg placements, by irradiating the eggs with radiation from a lateral side of the eggs and measuring a radiation response coming in response to the irradiation from a lateral side of the eggs, giving rise to measured data indicative of conditions of the eggs. The measured data may be processed to determine dynamic and static parameters of the radiation response from which a physiological development stage, and growth of the embryos within the eggs can be estimated.

The present invention relates to a method for spectroscopical in-ovo gender determination of fertilized and incubated bird eggs comprising the steps of:

a. providing a number of passages in an egg shell of an egg for allowing entrance into an interior of the egg and/or exit from the interior of the egg of electromagnetic waves suitable for spectroscopy,
b. introducing electromagnetic waves into the interior of the egg
c. detecting electromagnetic waves exiting the egg;
d. analysing, by spectroscopy, of the exiting electromagnetic waves at at least one passage of the number of passages; and e. determining the gender of a chicken embryo.

The present invention relates to a method for spectroscopical in-ovo gender determination of fertilized and incubated bird eggs comprising the steps of:

a. providing a number of passages in an egg shell of an egg for allowing entrance into an interior of the egg and/or exit from the interior of the egg of electromagnetic waves suitable for spectroscopy,
b. introducing electromagnetic waves into the interior of the egg
c. detecting electromagnetic waves exiting the egg;
d. analysing, by spectroscopy, of the exiting electromagnetic waves at at least one passage of the number of passages; and e. determining the gender of a chicken embryo.

An egg transfer module is provided. Such a device includes an egg securing device configured to grasp an egg. A free-moving ejector is associated with the egg securing device and configured to freely move in relation thereto. An abutment is provided in spaced relationship to the egg securing device. The free-moving ejector is configured to interact with the abutment to cause movement of the free-moving ejector with respect to the egg securing device, thereby displacing the egg from the egg securing device. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

An egg transfer module is provided. Such a device includes an egg securing device configured to grasp an egg. A free-moving ejector is associated with the egg securing device and configured to freely move in relation thereto. An abutment is provided in spaced relationship to the egg securing device. The free-moving ejector is configured to interact with the abutment to cause movement of the free-moving ejector with respect to the egg securing device, thereby displacing the egg from the egg securing device. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are