Method and device for detecting chick embryo incubation activity based on respiratory rate

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting chick embryo hatching activity based on respiratory rate. The method comprises the following steps: placing a hatching egg to be detected which is hatched to the seventh day in a closed hatching microenvironment; from the seventh day, respiratory rate detection is conducted once every preset duration; calculating the respiratory rate in the detection time window; and judging the chick embryo activity according to the respiration rate. According to the method, live embryo eggs and dead embryo eggs can be accurately distinguished, the recognition rate reaches 100%, early warning and whole-process monitoring of the dead embryo eggs can be achieved, and a reliable technical means is provided for fine management of a hatchery and hatching egg screening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of poultry incubation process monitoring and hatching egg quality testing technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for detecting chicken embryo incubation activity based on respiratory rate. Background Technology

[0002] In the poultry egg industry, the detection of infertile eggs and dead embryos has remained largely unresolved. The fertilization rate of typical hatching eggs is between 86% and 95%, but even among fertilized eggs, the normal hatching rate is generally below 90%. This means that a large number of infertile eggs are wasted in incubators each year, while excess infertile and dead embryos result in additional resource consumption. Therefore, timely identification and removal of infertile and dead embryos during the poultry egg incubation process is of significant importance and economic value.

[0003] Currently, non-destructive testing methods for infertile and dead embryo eggs mainly include hyperspectral imaging, optical detection, thermal imaging, and machine vision. Zhu Zhihui et al. used spectral technology to detect infertile eggs before incubation, establishing a qualitative detection model for pre-incubation eggs, achieving a 91.67% accuracy rate in detecting fertilized eggs. Islam et al. used visible transmission spectroscopy to detect 4-day-old eggs, comparing the results of different classification algorithms, achieving an accuracy rate of 96%. Zhang et al. used hyperspectral technology to identify fertilized eggs, achieving an 81% accuracy rate for weak embryos and a 97% accuracy rate for live embryos at 3 days old; at 4 days old, the accuracy rate for weak embryos was 92%, and the accuracy rate for live embryos was 100%. Hashemzadeh et al. used LEDs to illuminate the eggs from above and captured images. After processing the images, they combined them with relevant algorithms and neural networks to distinguish between fertilized and infertile eggs. This method achieved accuracy rates of 47.13%, 81.41%, and 93.08% for eggs incubated for days 1-3, respectively. Zhang Wei et al. combined machine vision with tapping vibration technology to identify fertilized duck eggs. They used two different artificial neural networks to predict infertile eggs and compared the results. The results showed that the stability and accuracy of the artificial neural network were better than those of the BP neural network. The accuracy rate achieved by the information fusion technology was 98%, while the accuracy rates of vibration signals and visual images were 88% and 92%, respectively.

[0004] In summary, spectral detection methods are costly and computationally intensive; factors such as eggshell thickness and yolk color affect the recognition accuracy of machine vision and photoelectric detection methods.

[0005] To address the above issues, this method utilizes the differences in respiration between infertile eggs, dead embryos, and normal live embryos for differentiation, avoiding interference from parameters such as egg weight, shape, and shell thickness. This effectively and promptly distinguishes between fertilized and infertile eggs in the early stages of incubation, and between live and dead embryos in the later stages. Existing technology proposes a method for identifying unfertilized eggs based on carbon dioxide release. By measuring the cumulative difference in CO2 concentration over one hour after 72 hours of incubation, it distinguishes between fertilized and unfertilized eggs. While this method can achieve early identification, it still has the following limitations: it only detects at a single time point (72 hours), failing to reflect the dynamic changes in embryonic development; the detection result is a static cumulative amount, unable to reflect the real-time metabolic activity of the embryo; and it cannot effectively identify and provide early warning for dead embryos in the later stages of incubation (after day 7).

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method and device that can continuously, non-destructively, and dynamically monitor the hatching activity of chicken embryos and accurately identify dead embryos throughout the entire incubation cycle. A search revealed that no methods for identifying dead embryos using differences in egg respiration rates have been found in China. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a method and apparatus for judging the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on continuous detection of respiration rate. By continuously monitoring the changes in the respiration rate of chicken embryos during incubation, dynamic assessment of embryonic activity and early and accurate identification of dead embryos can be achieved.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0009] A method for detecting chicken embryo hatchability based on respiration rate includes:

[0010] The eggs to be tested, which have been incubated for 7 days, are placed in a closed incubation microenvironment.

[0011] Starting from day 7, respiratory rate will be measured at preset intervals.

[0012] Calculate the respiratory rate within the detection time window;

[0013] The activity of the chicken embryo is determined based on the respiratory rate.

[0014] Optionally, the temperature in the sealed incubation microenvironment is 37.5-38.0℃ and the relative humidity is 60-70%.

[0015] Optionally, the preset duration is 24-72 hours.

[0016] Optionally, performing a respiratory rate test includes:

[0017] Record the CO2 concentration C0 at the start time t0 of the detection, and continuously monitor based on the preset detection time window Δt, recording the CO2 concentration C1 at the end time t1.

[0018] Optionally, the respiratory rate is:

[0019] R = (C1 - C0) / Δt;

[0020] Where R is the respiratory rate, C1 is the CO2 concentration at the end of the detection t1, C0 is the CO2 concentration at the start of the detection t0, and Δt is the preset detection time window.

[0021] Optionally, determining chicken embryo activity based on the respiratory rate includes:

[0022] If the respiration rate continues to increase significantly during the incubation process and meets the preset respiration rate threshold for live embryos, it is determined to be a live embryo; if the respiration rate is always lower than the respiration rate threshold for live embryos and there is no continuous upward trend, it is determined to be a dead embryo or an abnormally active egg.

[0023] A device for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiration rate, comprising:

[0024] A sealed enclosure is used to provide a closed incubation microenvironment;

[0025] The sealed chamber is equipped with an egg tray for holding hatching eggs; a carbon dioxide sensor is installed on the sealed chamber for real-time monitoring of the CO2 concentration inside the chamber.

[0026] The temperature and humidity control unit, including heating elements, a cooler, and an atomizer, is used to maintain a suitable and stable incubation microenvironment within the sealed chamber.

[0027] The data processing unit, including a microcontroller and a display screen, is used to collect sensor data, calculate respiratory rate, and output detection results.

[0028] Optionally, the sealed enclosure is also equipped with a fan to ensure uniform gas distribution within the cavity.

[0029] Optionally, the device further includes a removable baffle for dividing the sealed chamber into an upper detection space and a lower humidification space.

[0030] Optionally, the data processing unit pre-stores respiratory rate threshold models for live and dead embryos and can automatically determine the activity status of chicken embryos based on the real-time calculated respiratory rate.

[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0032] Continuous dynamic monitoring: It enables full-process activity monitoring from the 7th day of incubation to before hatching, breaking through the limitations of single-point detection.

[0033] High parameter sensitivity: Respiratory rate (ppm / min) is a more sensitive physiological activity indicator than CO2 accumulation (ppm), and can reflect the embryonic metabolic status earlier and more accurately.

[0034] High recognition accuracy: There is a significant difference in respiration rate between live and dead embryos, and experiments show that the recognition rate can reach 100%.

[0035] Early warning system: Dead embryos can be removed in time before they decompose or affect adjacent live embryos, thus improving the overall hatching rate.

[0036] The method is non-destructive and convenient: it does not cause any damage to the hatching eggs and embryos, is simple to operate, and is easy to integrate into automated incubation production lines. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiratory rate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the incubation detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a comparison of the respiratory rate changes of live and dead embryos during incubation days 7-21, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The components include: 1. Display screen; 2. Microcontroller; 3. Relay; 4. Circuit board; 5. Sealed enclosure; 6. Sensor communication circuit; 7. Carbon dioxide sensor; 8. Cooler; 9. Heating element; 10. Bracket; 11. Egg tray; 12. Removable baffle; 13. Atomizer; 14. Fan; 15. Vent; and 16. DuPont wire. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this embodiment proposes a method for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiration rate, including:

[0045] Step 1. Pre-set a closed incubation microenvironment;

[0046] Step 2. Place the eggs to be tested, which have been incubated for 7 days, in a sealed incubation microenvironment; maintain the temperature at 37.5-38.0℃ and the relative humidity at 60-70%;

[0047] Step 3. Starting from day 7, respiratory rate will be measured at preset intervals; the preset intervals are 24-72 hours.

[0048] Step 4. Calculate the respiratory rate within the detection time window;

[0049] Step 5. Determine the activity of the chicken embryo based on the respiratory rate.

[0050] Furthermore, performing a respiratory rate test includes:

[0051] Record the CO2 concentration C0 at the start time t0 of the detection, and continuously monitor based on the preset detection time window Δt, recording the CO2 concentration C1 at the end time t1.

[0052] Furthermore, in step 3, the detection time interval is preferably 48 hours, and the detection time window Δt is 5 minutes.

[0053] Furthermore, the respiratory rate is:

[0054] R = (C1 - C0) / Δt;

[0055] Where R is the respiratory rate, C1 is the CO2 concentration at the end of the detection t1, C0 is the CO2 concentration at the start of the detection t0, and Δt is the preset detection time window.

[0056] Furthermore, determining chicken embryo activity based on respiratory rate includes:

[0057] If the respiration rate continues to increase significantly during the incubation process and meets the preset respiration rate threshold for live embryos, it is determined to be a live embryo; if the respiration rate is always lower than the respiration rate threshold for live embryos and there is no continuous upward trend, it is determined to be a dead embryo or an abnormally active egg.

[0058] Specifically, the detection method in this embodiment is as follows:

[0059] 1. Preparation: Take out the hatching eggs that have been incubated in the incubator for 7 days, number them, place them on the egg tray of the detection device, and close the box door to seal it.

[0060] 2. Environmental stability: Start the device and set the temperature and humidity to 37.8℃ and 65%RH, and wait for the data to stabilize (about 2 minutes).

[0061] 3. Continuous testing: Starting from day 7, repeat the following procedure every 48 hours:

[0062] a. Record the CO2 concentration C0 at the current time t0.

[0063] b. Continuously monitor for 5 minutes (Δt=15 min) and record the concentration of C1 at time t1.

[0064] c. Calculate the respiratory rate for this test: R = (C1 - C0) / 5 (ppm / min).

[0065] 4. Activity determination (e.g.) Figure 3 (as shown)

[0066] Live eggs: The respiration rate increases significantly with the age of incubation, with typical values ​​ranging from about 36 ppm / min on day 7 to 833 ppm / min on day 21.

[0067] Dead embryos: The respiration rate remains at an extremely low level (<30 ppm / min) and increases irregularly, with a typical range of 6-26 ppm / min and small fluctuations.

[0068] The system compares the respiratory rate calculated for each test with a preset activity threshold model and automatically outputs the judgment result of "live embryo", "dead embryo" or "abnormal activity".

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment also proposes a device for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiration rate, comprising:

[0070] The sealed enclosure 5 is used to provide a sealed incubation microenvironment;

[0071] The sealed chamber 5 is equipped with an egg tray 11 for placing hatching eggs; a carbon dioxide sensor 7 is installed on the sealed chamber for real-time monitoring of the CO2 concentration inside the chamber.

[0072] The temperature and humidity control unit, including heating element 9, cooler 8 and atomizer 13, is used to maintain a suitable and stable incubation microenvironment in the sealed chamber.

[0073] The data processing unit, including a microcontroller 2 and a display screen 1, is used to collect sensor data, calculate respiratory rate, and output detection results.

[0074] Furthermore, a fan 14 is also provided inside the sealed chamber 5 to ensure uniform gas distribution within the chamber.

[0075] Furthermore, the device also includes a removable baffle 12 for dividing the sealed chamber into an upper detection space and a lower humidification space.

[0076] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide sensor 7 adopts a high-precision NDIR carbon dioxide sensor (such as MH-Z19B) to collect CO2 concentration data in the cavity in real time and transmit it to the microcontroller 2 through the sensor communication circuit 6.

[0077] Furthermore, the data processing unit has a pre-stored respiratory rate threshold model for live and dead embryos, and can automatically determine the activity status of the chicken embryo based on the real-time calculated respiratory rate.

[0078] The model for the change in respiration rate of live embryos is as follows: during the 7th to 21st day of incubation, the respiration rate continuously increases from about 36 ppm / min to about 833 ppm / min.

[0079] The model for the respiration rate change of dead embryos is as follows: the respiration rate is below 30 ppm / min throughout the detection period and there is no continuous upward trend.

[0080] Specifically, this device mainly consists of the following parts:

[0081] Circuit board 4: This is an interface board that provides interfaces for various devices.

[0082] Box 5: Forms a sealed testing space, with an egg tray 11 inside to hold hatching eggs.

[0083] Support 10: Fixes the egg tray 11 in the middle of the box body 5.

[0084] DuPont wire 16: Connects various electronic components.

[0085] Environmental control unit: Includes heating element 9, cooler 8, and atomizer 13, controlled by microcontroller 2 through 4 relays 3. The mist enters the upper chamber through the vent 15, thereby changing the humidity. Stabilize the temperature and humidity inside the chamber at 37.8±0.2℃ and 65±5%RH.

[0086] Gas monitoring unit: A high-precision NDIR carbon dioxide sensor 7 (such as MH-Z19B) is used to collect CO2 concentration data in the cavity in real time and transmit it to the microcontroller 2 through the sensor communication circuit 6.

[0087] Airflow equalization unit: Built-in fan 14 to ensure uniform distribution of temperature, humidity and gas concentration inside the cavity.

[0088] Data processing and display unit: The microcontroller 2 processes the collected CO2 concentration data, calculates the respiration rate, and calls the pre-stored judgment model to perform activity analysis. The results are output through the display screen 1.

[0089] Experimental data and results:

[0090] Respiratory rate data for the same batch of hatching eggs (n=60, including 30 live embryos and 30 dead embryos) were continuously monitored from day 7 to day 21. The data are shown in Table 1 below (unit: ppm / min).

[0091] Table 1 Respiratory Rate Data

[0092]

[0093] The results showed that the respiration rates of live and dead embryos differed by orders of magnitude throughout the monitoring period, and their trends were completely different. The judgment model built based on this difference achieved 100% accuracy in this experiment.

[0094] This embodiment utilizes an incubation detection device to continuously monitor the carbon dioxide concentration within a sealed chamber at fixed time intervals during the 7th to 21st day of chicken embryo incubation. The respiration rate is calculated by determining the change in CO2 concentration per unit time. Based on the significant difference in respiration rates between live and dead embryos, an activity assessment model is established, enabling continuous, non-destructive, and dynamic evaluation of chicken embryo incubation activity. This embodiment can accurately distinguish between live and dead embryos with a 100% recognition rate, and can provide early warning and full-process monitoring of dead embryos, offering a reliable technical means for refined management of hatcheries and selection of hatching eggs.

[0095] This embodiment upgrades static CO2 concentration detection to dynamic respiration rate monitoring and expands single-point judgment to continuous evaluation, significantly improving the accuracy and timeliness of hatching activity detection of hatching eggs, and has important industrial application value.

[0096] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiration rate, characterized in that, include: The eggs to be tested, which have been incubated for 7 days, are placed in a closed incubation microenvironment. Starting from day 7, respiratory rate will be measured at preset intervals. Calculate the respiratory rate within the detection time window; Chicken embryo activity was determined based on the respiratory rate.

2. The method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiratory rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature in the sealed incubation microenvironment is 37.5-38.0℃ and the relative humidity is 60-70%.

3. The method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiratory rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset duration is 24-72 hours.

4. The method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiration rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Performing a respiratory rate test includes: Record the CO2 concentration C0 at the start time t0 of the detection, and continuously monitor based on the preset detection time window Δt, recording the CO2 concentration C1 at the end time t1.

5. The method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiratory rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The respiratory rate is: R = (C1 - C0) / Δt; Where R is the respiratory rate, C1 is the CO2 concentration at the end of the detection t1, C0 is the CO2 concentration at the start of the detection t0, and Δt is the preset detection time window.

6. The method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiratory rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining chicken embryo activity based on the respiratory rate includes: If the respiration rate continues to increase significantly during the incubation process and meets the preset respiration rate threshold for live embryos, it is determined to be a live embryo; if the respiration rate is always lower than the respiration rate threshold for live embryos and there is no continuous upward trend, it is determined to be a dead embryo or an abnormally active egg.

7. A device for detecting the hatching activity of chicken embryos based on respiration rate, characterized in that, For implementing the method for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiration rate as described in any one of claims 1-6, the apparatus comprises: A sealed enclosure is used to provide a closed incubation microenvironment; The sealed chamber is equipped with an egg tray for holding hatching eggs; a carbon dioxide sensor is installed on the sealed chamber for real-time monitoring of the CO2 concentration inside the chamber. The temperature and humidity control unit, including heating elements, a cooler, and an atomizer, is used to maintain a suitable and stable incubation microenvironment within the sealed chamber. The data processing unit, including a microcontroller and a display screen, is used to collect sensor data, calculate respiratory rate, and output detection results.

8. The device for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiration rate according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sealed enclosure is also equipped with a fan to ensure uniform gas distribution within the cavity.

9. The device for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiration rate according to claim 7, characterized in that, The device also includes a removable baffle for dividing the sealed chamber into an upper detection space and a lower humidification space.

10. The apparatus for detecting chicken embryo hatching activity based on respiration rate according to claim 7, characterized in that, The data processing unit has a pre-stored respiratory rate threshold model for live and dead embryos, and can automatically determine the activity status of chicken embryos based on the real-time calculated respiratory rate.

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