An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with an avian egg. A sanitization system is in fluid communication with the egg processing devices. The sanitization system is configured to deliver sanitizing fluid to the egg processing devices for sanitization thereof after interaction with an egg. The sanitization system has a valve-less manifold assembly. An associated method is also provided.

An egg transfer system is provided. Such an egg transfer system includes a controller configured to receive a classification signal indicative of an egg classification status for each of a plurality of eggs carried by a flat. A transfer head assembly is in communication with the controller and is configured to remove a plurality of eggs from the flat. The eggs are grouped into at least a first and second subset based on the egg classification status. The controller is configured to direct the transfer head assembly to selectively release the first and second subsets separately based on the respective egg classification status of the eggs. An associated method is also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a system configured to inject objects, such as eggs, with a fluid, wherein said objects each comprise at least two object parts, such as embryo tissue, embryotic or allantoic fluid and an air pocket, of which at least one object part is to be injected, by advancing injection needles to a determined depth, which depth is expected to correspond with the at least one object part to be injected, into the objects and injecting fluid into the objects at the determined injection depth. The system a sensor to monitor pressure or flow of the fluid during injecting, and to generate a monitoring signal, the control being configured to detect an operational state of the needles and/or the fluid, indicating proper operation or defect in the system, such as a blocked fluid line and/or needle, based on the monitoring signal representing the monitored pressure or flow.

Spore forming bacteria and Lactic Acid Bacteria for application in poultry hatcher cabinets to alter the bacterial bloom towards a more beneficial microbiota, positively affecting performance parameters such as mortality, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio throughout production.

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.

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.

The present disclosure concerns a system (100) for determining a gender of a fertile egg. The system utilizes measured data (20) indicative of radiation responses of an egg to illumination with at least two wavelengths. The radiation responses include transmissions of the illumination through at least a portion of the egg and/or reflections of the illumination from the egg. The system (100) is configured and operable to process the received measured data (20), to determine the variation over time of a relation between the intensities of the radiation responses at the at least two wavelengths, and to generate gender data based thereon.

The present invention relates to a method for promoting production of female embryos in fertilized eggs, comprising steps of: incubating said eggs; generating at least one type of energy with a predetermined energy profile; and simultaneously generating a pre-determined profile of a non-energy parameter by means of an energy generation device, applying both energy profile and the non-energy parameter to the eggs; and, collecting the eggs; wherein said method is non-toxic to the embryos, the application of both the energy profile and the non-energy parameter increases the fraction of females in the hatched chicks.

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.

The present invention relates to a method for producing poultry, in particular chicken, the method comprising; a) incubating a batch of eggs in an incubating device during a first incubating period of between about 7 to about 11 days, and then, b) maintaining an egg in a predetermined sampling position during a settling time for allowing allantoic fluid to surface, c) determining a location of entry based on one or more egg parameters.