A device for detecting a presence or concentration of an analyte on an egg shell or in an egg, the device comprising an emitter, wherein the emitter is configured to emit light into the egg, a detector, wherein the detector is configured to receive light emitted from an indicator molecule within the egg, a controller configured to analyze a change in a detectable quality of the indicator molecule based on the presence or concentration of the analyte.

The invention relates to a stable disinfectant composition and the use of said composition for spraying hatching eggs prior to in ovo vaccination, for disinfecting vaccination equipment including vaccination needles, and for flushing vaccination equipment post vaccination cycles.

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.

A method and a system are provided for collecting volatile organic compounds and applying THz based detection of a signature of the collected compounds to determine egg properties. Egg properties include gender and/or fertility.

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.

There is provided herein a system and a method for promoting production of female embryos in eggs. The method comprises the steps of: incubating a plurality of fertilized eggs to promote hatching of the fertilized eggs; and transmitting a soundwave having a frequency ranging from 100 Hz to 1200 Hz to the fertilized eggs, thereby promoting production of female embryos in the fertilized eggs.

An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a processing head and processing devices associated therewith. Each processing device has an end configured to interact with an avian egg. Each processing device is capable of being selectively held in a non-contact or contact position with respect to an avian egg during a processing sequence such that a first subset of the processing devices is in the non-contact position while simultaneously having a second subset of the processing devices in the contact position. An associated method is also provided.

An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a frame and a lift assembly operably engaged with the frame. The lift assembly has a pulley system. An egg processing head is operably engaged with the pulley system. A plurality of egg processing devices is operably engaged with the egg processing head. The pulley system is configured to move the egg processing head such that the egg processing devices are capable of interacting with eggs provided proximate thereto. An associated method is also provided.

Methods for enhancing embryonic and post-hatch growth and performance of poultry by administration of a probiotic composition, such as a composition containing a mixture of one or more bacterial cultures, to the surface of the shells of fertilized eggs prior to setting. Optionally, the method further includes administration of the same probiotic composition at the same concentration to chicks hatched from the eggs that had received the topical in ovo administration to the shell. The probiotic composition is administered to the chicks orally, such as in feed.

Methods of utilizing light during incubation of avian eggs to influence characteristics of avian pre- and post-hatch. Specific amounts of energy are provided to incubated eggs through a light source, having particular wavelengths, to accelerate embryo development and promote myogenesis post hatch. Green, red, or blue wavelengths of light, or combinations thereof, are provided to eggs in a temperature controlled incubator to increase myoblast and satellite cell production in avian eggs. The light can be administered to avian eggs in a manner that entrains an embryo's circadian rhythm in the egg.