Technology that can identify the sex of chicks before they hatch is set to launch late this year.
It would reduce costs and eliminate the animal welfare issue of killing newborn males.
Canadian Egg Technologies is working with the Egg Farmers of Ontario marketing board and the Egg Farmers of Canada national supply management agency to bring technology from Denmark’s Sanova Technology Group to Canada.
MatrixSpec Solutions of Quebec is also involved.
The group’s platform uses hyperspectral imaging, via MatrixSpec’s MSE3000 scanner, to gender-type the eggs as early as the fourth day of incubation, according to a June 17 news release. It said this is earlier than other, similar technologies.
Hatcheries will benefit by freeing up space to incubate only female-producing eggs.
