An improvement to a functional module for the selective application of substances inside fertile eggs represents an inventive solution in the field of poultry fanning, in particular in the field of poultry breeding, and more specifically in the step of application of vaccines and/or nutrients into fertile eggs by injection, this improvement reducing the risk of violation of biological safety, and ensuring the integrity and survival of the embryo (Em), limiting intra-ovum nutritional supplementation to the amniotic fluid (Li) only, without contact of the needle (a13) with the embryo (Em), and to achieve this condition the module for the selective application of substances inside fertile eggs (Ov) has a structure composed of an injector selector submodule (m1), a selective operation actuation submodule (m2), a speed control submodule (m3) and a common perforator/needle return submodule (m4).

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.

An improvement to a needle for unnoculating nutrients into the inner environment of fertile eggs represents an inventive solution in the field of poultry farming, in particular in the sector of poultry breeding, specifically in the industry of equipment for the application of fluids into fertile eggs, in order to render nutrition feasible and effective in the pre-hatching stage of fertile eggs (Ov), being particularly useful for protecting the embryo, avoiding the direct intramuscular injection of nutrient into the embryo. An improved injection tool (4) has been designed for that purpose in the form of an injection needle with a rounded free end (42) and with a plurality of openings (43) next to same, through which the nutrient is injected, while the rounded free end (42) prevents piercing of the embryo (Em).

A pathogen reduction tool implementing a method of processing eggs at a poultry hatchery is provided. Such a method includes setting a production quantity of avian eggs in a setter incubator, the eggs being maintained in a plurality of egg flats. The avian eggs are removed from the setter incubator on a predetermined day of incubation, such predetermined day being during about day nine to day twelve of incubation. Subsequent to removal of the avian eggs from the setter incubator, the avian eggs are subjected to an egg detection system on the predetermined day to determine which of the avian eggs are viable and non-viable. The non-viable avian eggs are removed from the egg flats on the predetermined day. The viable avian eggs remaining in the egg flats post-inspection by the egg detection system are incubated through hatch.

An improved poultry production method comprising providing dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) to poultry eggs, chicks and birds, and devices for providing DHP to poultry production during laying, incubating, hatching, and growing.

An improved poultry production method comprising providing dry hydrogen peroxide (DHP) to poultry eggs, chicks and birds, and devices for providing DHP to poultry production during laying, incubating, hatching, and growing.

According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided for creating an opening in the calcified shell of an incubated bird egg containing an embryo, in the region of the blunt end of the incubated bird egg. Within the region of the blunt end there is an outer membrane and an inner membrane with an air cell located therebetween. The apparatus comprises a holder on which the incubated bird eggs are stored with their pointed ends facing downwards, wherein the embryo adjoins the inner membrane, a first detection device configured to detect the position and geometry of the air cell, and an opening device configured to create an opening in the calcified shell at the blunt end of the incubated bird egg above the taut inner membrane. Due to the open calcified shell, the sex of the embryo may be determined in a reliable way.

The present invention is directed to a method of treating poultry hatchlings in a hatchling tray. The method comprises of providing a soft gel form capable of being dispensed through a spray nozzle, providing a spray dispensing apparatus, the apparatus being capable of delivering a predetermined volume of the gel as a plurality of small beadlets through a plurality of nozzles, placing the hatchling tray containing the hatchlings beneath the nozzles of the dispensing apparatus, dispensing the predetermined volume of the soft gel containing the therapeutic agent as small beadlets into the hatchling tray and allowing the hatchlings to consume the beadlets. The present invention is also directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a therapeutic agent in a soft gel into a hatchling tray of poultry hatchlings.

A device for reorientation of eggs deposited in the hollow open cells of a tray. The device is intended to reorientate at least one egg from said tray along a substantially vertical axis. The device includes at least one reorientation element capable of moving between a low position and a high position with respect to the cell containing the egg to be reorientated. The reorientation element includes a lower seat on which the upright rods are fixed, the upper ends of said rods being able to spread out with respect to each other on contact with the egg to be re-orientated, the upright rods being intended to interpose themselves between the cell and the egg, in the high position, so as to damp and guide a movement of the egg under the effect of its weight to a substantially vertical position.

An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with a plurality of eggs carried by an egg carrier. An egg support assembly is positioned beneath the egg processing devices such that an egg carrier is capable of being moved between the egg processing devices and the egg support assembly. The egg support assembly includes a plurality of pedestals, with each pedestal having a plurality of discrete egg support members cooperating to form a seating arrangement portion for contacting and supporting an end of an egg in the egg carrier. An associated assembly and method are also provided.