Non-Invasive Method for Identifying Gender and Fertility of Eggs Before Hatching
Innovative Products and Technologies
Technology Offer
Non-Invasive Method for Identifying Gender and Fertility of Eggs Before Hatching
- Yissum - Research Development Company of the Hebrew University
- From Israel
- Responsive
- Innovative Products and Technologies
Summary of the technology
Israel Rozenboim (HUJI) & Eyal Ben Dror (TAU) - Non-Invasive Fertility & Gender Detection in Eggs (TTM:2198) - 8 Billion male chicks are culled annually, as such there is a need for an accurate gender sexting technology for day 11 after laying, as per EU Regulations. A non-invasive fertility & gender sexting detection technology is not yet available on the market. The researchers, use hyperspectral analysis of avian eggs can detect fertility and gender. Hyperspectral imaging using specific wavelengths allows for identifying key biological markers inside the embryo. The imaging process takes seconds and can be incorporated into a conveyor belt system. Machine Learning algorithms constantly improve the results. Current results in brown eggs, are able to detect fertility at day zero after laying with 90-95% accuracy and gender at day 10, 11, 12 after laying with 80%, 85%, 100% accuracy, respectively.
Patent Position: https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/079-446-629-846-242
Yissum Online: http://www.yissum.co.il/technologies/project/2198
Project ID : 8-2009-2198
Details of the Technology Offer
Detects the fertility levels in newly-laid eggs and the gender of the embryo
Background
- The ability to determine the fertility level of a chicken egg and its gender significantly reduces costs of egg production.
- Currently, we are unable to determine the fertility of newly laid eggs – the 10%-40 % of eggs that are infertile are hatched for 10 days until identified by candling – using space and energy, costly manpower.
- No current method exists to determine gender during hatching; it is only possible in 12-day old chicks – nearly half of all chicks hatched for the layer industry hatch as males and need to be culled, creating ethical issues.
- Our technology enables fertility determination of a freshly-laid egg (day zero) with 85% accuracy; determination of fertility on days 1 and 2 with 90% accuracy
Our Innovation
Hyperspectral analysis of optical spectrum of avian egg for non-invasive determination of egg fertility and gender.
Key Features
- Spectra include a wider range of wavelengths making this method significantly more sensitive
- Enables both detection of fertility earlier than day 2 and detection of the gender of the chick within the egg
Development Milestones
Seeking funds for large-scale trials for several thousand different kinds of eggs
The Opportunity
- Can be used for layers, broilers, and turkey eggs
- Can be used for non-invasive gender determination of hatched birds such as parrots