The invention relates to a connected hatchery (1) comprising a plurality of devices (22, 23, 24, 25, 3, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 5, 62, 63, 64) for handling, processing or vaccinating eggs or chicks distributed along a production line, each of the devices being an automated device fitted with a programmable logic controller (231, 431, 451, 641) capable of producing at least one data stream (F23a, F23b, F23c, F23d, F43a, F43b, F43c, F43d, F43e, F43f, F45a, F45b, F45c, F45d, F45e, F64a, F64b, F64c, F64d) relating to the performance or operations of the said automated device, characterized in that it comprises a data centralizing and processing unit (7) arranged to collect the data streams produced by the programmable logic controllers of said automated devices in order to determine at least one performance indicator (I1, I2, I3) of the production line from one or more of said collected data streams and in order to transmit said performance indicator over a telecommunications network to a remote terminal.

Module for operational control of the guided advance/withdrawal device of the needle added to the smart substance injection device on board equipment for inoculating substances inside a fertile egg and smart method for injection inside a fertile egg, wherein the inoculation of substances inside a fertile egg, be this into the embryo, in the case of vaccines, and even into the amniotic fluid, in the case of a nutrient or nutritional vaccine complex, allows the injection needle (11) to be brought close at a controlled speed.

A method for producing poultry at a hatchery includes incubating a batch of eggs in incubating trays in an incubating device during a first incubating period of between about 7 to about 11 days, and then, for each egg of the batch of eggs, determining of gender of the chick embryo, in particular after determination if the egg contains a well-developed or more specifically a living embryo, and based on the gender of a chick embryo, dividing the batch of eggs into at least a male batch portion and a female batch portion.

A method for producing poultry at a hatchery includes incubating a batch of eggs in incubating trays in an incubating device during a first incubating period of between about 7 to about 11 days, and then, for each egg of the batch of eggs, determining of gender of the chick embryo, in particular after determination if the egg contains a well-developed or more specifically a living embryo, and based on the gender of a chick embryo, dividing the batch of eggs into at least a male batch portion and a female batch portion.

An egg grasp device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a plurality of elongated members extending from the body. The elongated members are interlaced to form a sheath capable of retaining an egg. The sheath has a distal end and a proximal end at which the elongated members are operably engaged with the body. The elongated members cooperate to define an opening at the distal end through which an egg is received when the elongated members engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the sheath. 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, egg holding unit and methods are for non-invasively determining the fertility of an avian egg. The system includes an egg holding unit; at least one transmitter, operative for transmitting electromagnetic waves towards the at least one egg; and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal, including at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves after passing through the at least one egg placed within the egg holding unit. A processor is adapted to analyze the received signal according to a predetermined fertility determination procedure. A communication interface provides a fertility indication with respect to each one of the at least one egg. The communication interface may be coupled to a display device adapted to show fertilization data using a GUI, to one or more end users.

A system, egg holding unit and methods are for non-invasively determining the fertility of an avian egg. The system includes an egg holding unit; at least one transmitter, operative for transmitting electromagnetic waves towards the at least one egg; and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal, including at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves after passing through the at least one egg placed within the egg holding unit. A processor is adapted to analyze the received signal according to a predetermined fertility determination procedure. A communication interface provides a fertility indication with respect to each one of the at least one egg. The communication interface may be coupled to a display device adapted to show fertilization data using a GUI, to one or more end users.

Module for operational control of the guided advance/withdrawal device of the needle added to the smart substance injection device on board equipment for inoculating substances inside a fertile egg and smart method for injection inside a fertile egg, wherein the inoculation of substances inside a fertile egg, be this into the embryo, in the case of vaccines, and even into the amniotic fluid, in the case of a nutrient or nutritional vaccine complex, allows the injection needle (11) to be brought close at a controlled speed.

An egg flat identification system for identifying an egg flat among a collection of egg flats is provided. Such a system includes a first measurement device configured to determine a first measurement of a plurality of eggs carried by an egg flat. A processor is in communication with the first measurement device. The processor is configured to receive the first measurements from the first measurement device. A second measurement device is configured to determine a second measurement of the eggs in the collection of egg flats. The second measurement device is in communication with the processor such that the processor is capable of receiving the second measurements. The processor compares the second measurements with the first measurements so as to identify a respective egg flat among the collection of egg flats.