System and method for determining chick health and sex

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for quickly and automatically inspecting a newborn chick in order to determine the gender of the newborn chick and then sorting the newborn chicks by gender.SOLUTION: A first system for determining the relative health of a chick includes: a first moving platform to support a chick; a first image capture device; a first database having a library of digital images relating to healthy and unhealthy chicks; and a computer processor in communication with the image capture device and database. A second system for determining the gender of a chick includes: a second moving platform; a second image capture device; and stimulation means directed at the chick to cause the chick to open its wings. The second system also includes: a second database having wing patterns of male and female chicks of the breed of the chick on the second moving platform; and a second computer processor in communication with the second image capture device and the second database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] (Priority) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 254,737, filed November 13, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 349,981, filed June 14, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0002] The embodiments described herein are directed to systems and methods for detecting the relative health and sex of day-old chicks. For unhealthy chicks, once illness or injury is detected, they are removed from the flock. For sex determination, once detected, chicks are separated by sex.

[0003] There are essentially three types of poultry processed in modern mass production environments: broilers, breeders, and layers. Broilers are raised for human consumption and slaughtered at maturity. Breeders are raised to breed broilers or layers, and layers are raised to produce eggs for human and animal consumption. In either case, once the chicks hatch, they are quickly processed and moved to the next stage of their lives. Day-old chicks are vulnerable to disease and infection. Due to the crowded conditions in which chicks are hatched and housed, chicks that are born abnormally or ill are in a position to infect many other chicks around them. Therefore, it is very important to the health of the flock to remove chicks that have diseases or congenital abnormalities that could cause disease to other chicks. It is also humane to remove seriously ill or disabled chicks so that they can be humanely euthanized and disposed of before they cause further damage to themselves.

[0004] Day-old broiler chicks are quickly processed in the hatchery and transported quickly to a "grower" where they reside and grow to the desired weight for consumption.

[0005] There are two common ailments that afflict some chicks. The first is when the abdominal wall does not close after absorption of the yolk sac. In such cases, the chick hatches with an open abdominal cavity. This condition is generally fatal. If left undetected for a long period of time, the open wound will attract unwanted bacteria and infection to the area, ultimately resulting in the death of the chick.

[0006] The second defect is malformed or defective legs or feet or defective beaks or eyes. Chicks with malformed legs or feet cannot withstand the rigors of mass farming and cannot get adequate food and water in the "growers" and as a result will not develop in the same way as their healthy peers. They therefore need to be removed as quickly as possible.

[0007] Thus, there is a need to quickly and efficiently test day-old chicks to determine whether they are healthy enough to withstand the rigors of the poultry production environment, and to quickly and efficiently detect physical abnormalities in day-old chicks so that they can be separated from otherwise healthy flocks.

[0008] Early sexing of chicks is also important in poultry production to ensure that males and females are separated as early as possible to ensure efficient investment of adequate resources. Layer males are of no value and similarly only a limited number of breeder males are required. In the case of broilers, male broilers are undesirable. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), i.e. cost of feed per body weight, is the main factor that makes male broilers undesirable.

[0009] Determining the sex of day-old chicks has been common practice in the poultry industry since the early 1900s. Manual anal and feather sexing has been used in the industry for many years to separate male and female chicks. Both methods are detrimental to the chicks due to the handling of the chicks and are believed to increase the seven-day mortality rate of sexed chicks.

[0010] It is known that the sex of day-old chicks can be determined by their wing feathers. The pattern and length of the feathers at the wing angle differ between male and female day-old chicks. However, the current method of manually spreading chick wings increases the chance of illness and injury to the chicks. Also, manual methods are labor intensive and can cause repetitive injuries to workers over time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to rapidly and automatically screen day-old chicks to determine their sex and subsequently separate the chicks by sex. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The embodiments described herein include a system having an apparatus for placing chicks on a moving platform and an image capture device for capturing at least one electronic image of the chicks on the moving platform. The system further includes a database containing electronic images of healthy and unhealthy chicks within a range of chick breeds, and an image processor in communication with the image capture device and the database. When the captured chick image is sent to the image processor, it is compared to the database of chick images, and if the chick image deviates from the healthy chick images in the database or matches the unhealthy chick images or exhibits an abnormality, the chick is removed from the flock.

[0013] The placement device can be a conveyor. The captured image of the chick can be a frontal image. The captured image of the chick can be an image of the chick's torso. The captured image of the chick can be an image of the chick's legs, face and feet.

[0014] Embodiments described herein further include a method of determining health of day-old chicks, the method including the steps of placing chicks on a moving platform and capturing at least one electronic image of the chicks on the moving platform. The method also includes providing a database including electronic images of healthy chicks within a range of chick breeds, and providing an image processing device in communication with the image capture device and the database. The method further includes comparing the captured image to the electronic images in the database and determining whether the captured image deviates from the images in the database.

[0015] The embodiments described herein further include a system having a device for causing the chick to spread its wings and an image capture device for capturing at least one electronic image of the chick's wing when the chick's wings are spread. The system further includes a database containing electronic images of male and female wing patterns within a range of chick breeds, and an image processor in communication with the image capture device and the database. The captured chick wing image is sent to the image processor and compared to the database of chick wing patterns for that breed to determine the chick's gender.

[0016] The device for causing the chicks to spread their wings is preferably an inclined conveyor or a hinged platform. The image capture device can be a digital camera. The captured image of the chick can be a frontal image.

[0017] Embodiments herein also describe a method of determining the gender of a chick, the method including the steps of providing a moving platform to support the chick, introducing at least one stimulus to cause the chick to spread its wings, and capturing at least one image of the chick as the chick spreads its wings. The method further includes providing a database having a library of digital images, and providing a computer processor in communication with the image capture device and the database. After the chick spreads its wings, an image of the wings is taken. The image of the chick's wings is compared to the library of digital images to determine the chick's gender. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] Other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a first inclined conveyor of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic side view of a portion of the first embodiment of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an actuator of a first embodiment in both an extended and retracted position. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a second inclined conveyor of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the communication of various elements of the first embodiment; [Figure 8] 7 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of FIG 6. The embodiments described herein are not intended to be limiting. The embodiments are intended to include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as set forth herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The embodiments herein focus on systems and methods for determining the relative health and sex of chicks. A first embodiment 10, shown in FIG. 1, includes a first conveyor 12 along which chicks 14 move in a hatchery. It should be understood that the chicks 14 were previously separated by other conveyors and dividers and are now moving along the first conveyor 12 in a single file. The first conveyor 12 has a presence sensor 16 to sense the presence of chicks 14 on the first conveyor. One or more cameras 18 are positioned along the path of the first conveyor 12. The cameras 18 are preferably positioned at the end of the conveyor at the same height as the bodies of the chicks 14 so that they can focus on the abdomen, legs and feet of the chicks. Alternatively, the cameras 18 can be mounted above the first conveyor 12 so that they can focus on the chicks but do not interfere with the movement of the chicks along the first conveyor. The term conveyor is understood to mean any type of handling mechanism capable of transporting an object (in this case an animal) from a first location to a second location. The term conveyor includes, but is not limited to, conveyor belts, moving platforms, etc.

[0020] The cameras 18 are preferably video cameras capable of capturing live video footage of each chick 14 as it moves along the first conveyor 12. The cameras 18 are in communication with a master system controller 44 and a computer processor 32 (FIG. 7). The computer processor 32 contains a database of images of healthy and unhealthy chicks 14. The computer processor 32 is designed to receive and process the images from the cameras 18 and determine whether the chick images show signs of abnormality or irregularities that require further attention. This process is described in more detail below.

[0021] 2, an inclined conveyor 20 is disposed adjacent to and below the first conveyor 12. The first inclined conveyor 20 is oriented at an angle θ relative to the horizontal.

[0022] The first inclined conveyor 20 has a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. The inclined conveyor 20 has a frame 26 that supports the inclined conveyor (FIG. 4). The frame 26 of the inclined conveyor 20 is rotatably connected at the proximal end 22 to a fixed structure, such as the frame structure of the overall system. The frame 26 supports a pair of rails 28 that prevent the chicks from falling off the inclined conveyor 20.

[0023] The actuator 30, shown in Figures 3-5, is fixedly coupled to the frame 26 of the incline conveyor 20 and to a support structure, such as the frame structure of the overall system. The actuator 30 is positioned to support the incline conveyor 20 in a normally extended position. When actuated, the actuator 30 retracts to pivot the frame 26 of the incline conveyor 20 about its proximal end 22 and pivots the distal end 24 further downward to increase the angle θ. The actuator 30 is in communication with a computer processor 32 that remotely controls the actuator.

[0024] Returning to Figure 2, a third conveyor 34 is disposed below the inclined conveyor 20 and is positioned to receive chicks 14 from the inclined conveyor 20 when the inclined conveyor is in its extended position. A fourth conveyor 36 is disposed further below the inclined conveyor 20 and is oriented perpendicular to the inclined conveyor 20 when it is retracted. The fourth conveyor 36 receives chicks 14 from the inclined conveyor 20 when the inclined conveyor 20 is retracted by the actuator 30, as will be described in more detail below.

[0025] A second inclined conveyor 38, shown in Figures 2 and 6, is positioned immediately below the third conveyor 34 and receives the chicks 14 from the third conveyor 34. A second presence sensor 40 is positioned at the end of the third conveyor 34. The second presence sensor 40 senses the presence of chicks 14 along the path of the second inclined conveyor 38.

[0026] Cameras 18 are positioned at the end of the third conveyor 34 and at one or more points along the path of the second inclined conveyor 38 (Figure 6). The cameras 18 are positioned to focus on the wing patterns of the chicks 14 as they pass by.

[0027] A fan 42 is positioned along the path of the second inclined conveyor 38 (Figure 6). The fan 42 is positioned to direct air upwardly as the chicks 14 pass by. Operation of the fan is controlled by a master control system 44. The master control system is in communication with the computer processor 32 (Figure 7).

[0028] A vibration mechanism 46, shown in Figure 6, is secured to the second inclined conveyor 38. In use, the vibration mechanism 46 causes the second inclined conveyor 38 to vibrate. The vibration mechanism 46 is in communication with the master control system 44. A strobe light 47 is positioned above the path of the conveyor 38 towards the end of the conveyor 38. The strobe light 47 is also in communication with the master controller 44.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, a fifth conveyor 48 is disposed at the end of the second inclined conveyor 38. The fifth conveyor 48 receives those chicks 14 that descend from the second inclined conveyor 38. A sixth conveyor 50 is disposed immediately below and perpendicular to the second inclined conveyor 38. The sixth conveyor 50 receives those chicks 14 that are moved away from the second inclined conveyor 38 when the second inclined conveyor 38 is in its retracted position. This process is described in more detail below.

[0030] The computer processor 32 includes a database having a library of digital images of chick wing patterns of various chicken breeds stored therein. The computer processor 32 (FIG. 7) also communicates with the second presence sensor 40, the camera 18, and the actuator 30 (FIG. 6) via a master control system 44. The computer processor 32 further communicates with the master control system 44 which controls the speed of the conveyor and controls the overall operational functions. The master control system 44 electronically communicates with the camera 18, the fan 42, and the vibration mechanism 46 (FIG. 6) such that starting and stopping of each of the foregoing can be controlled by the master control system. A schematic representation of the communication between the aforementioned elements is shown in FIG. 7.

[0031] In use, after the chicks 14 hatch, they are first processed and eventually moved onto the first conveyor 12. It should be noted that there may be a series of other conveyors, dividers, etc. (not shown) that may be used to move the newly hatched chicks 14 onto the conveyor 12, although such equipment and detailed implementations are not described herein.

[0032] As the chicks 14 move along the first conveyor 12, a first presence sensor 16 detects the presence of the chicks moving along the first conveyor 12 (FIG. 2). The presence sensor 16 is in communication with a computer processor 32 which activates a camera 18 positioned at the end of and above the path of the first conveyor 12 and along the inclined conveyor 20 (FIG. 3). The camera 18 takes at least one image of the chick. Preferably, the camera 18 is capable of taking video images of the chick's abdomen, legs, facial features and feet.

[0033] The image or images are electronically communicated to a computer processor 32 (FIG. 7). The computer processor 32 processes the images and compares them to images in a database of healthy and unhealthy chicks of the same breed. In comparing the camera images to the digital image library, the computer processor 32 can detect anomalies or deviations in the resulting image from standard images in the database. If deviations are detected in the captured image, the computer processor 32 registers such deviations as anomalies or defects that require further attention.

[0034] The computer processor therefore communicates the result to the master control system 44, which actuates the actuator 30 (FIG. 4). This causes the proximal end 22 of the first inclined conveyor 20 to pivot and the distal end 24 to swing downward to increase the angle θ. At a certain angle θ, the chick 14 cannot remain on the first inclined conveyor and is dropped onto the fourth conveyor 36 (FIG. 2) for further manual inspection. If the chick is not healthy, it is separated from the rest of the healthy flock. If the chick is in fact healthy, it is returned to the flock for further processing.

[0035] Once the chick has been transferred to the fourth conveyor 36, the actuator 30 (FIG. 5) is reversed, causing the first inclined conveyor 20 to return to its extended position. This causes the distal end 24 of the first inclined conveyor 20 to swing upward as the proximal end 22 pivots about itself, decreasing the angle θ. When the actuator returns the first inclined conveyor 20 to its original position, it can accept another chick 14. In this manner, only healthy chicks are permitted to proceed to the third conveyor 34.

[0036] As healthy chicks advance onto the third conveyor 34, a second presence sensor 40 (FIG. 6) detects the presence of chicks on the third conveyor 34. The second presence sensor 40 communicates with the computer processor 32 and a master control system 44 (FIG. 7) to activate the camera 18, fan 42, strobe light 47 and vibrating mechanism 46 adjacent the second inclined conveyor 38.

[0037] At the end of its travel along the third conveyor 34, the chick moves onto the second inclined conveyor 38. At this point, the chick faces the second inclined conveyor 38, where the fan 42 creates an upward airflow from the chick's feet towards the chick's face and head. The surface of the second inclined conveyor 38 is also vibrating as a result of the operation of the vibration mechanism 46. The upward airflow and the vibrating surface causes the chick to feel as if it has lost its balance. To regain its balance, the chick lifts its wings and begins to flap. The camera 18 then captures an image of the open wing pattern. Flashing strobe lights 47 are also expected to have a similar stimulating effect on the chick.

[0038] The images are communicated to computer processor 32 (FIG. 7), which processes the images and compares them to images of male and female wing patterns in a database of chicks for that breed. By comparing the images, the computer can determine the sex of the chick. If computer processor 32 determines the chick is female, the chick is allowed to proceed to fifth conveyor 48 where the chick is crated and moved to a grow room. If the chick is determined to be male, computer processor 32 activates actuator 30, which retracts and pivots second inclined conveyor 38, swinging distal end 20 downward to increase angle θ. At a certain angle θ, chick 14 cannot remain on second inclined conveyor 38 and is dropped onto another conveyor 50 for further processing. Chicks are separated by sex and processed separately.

[0039] Once the male chick 14 has been transferred to another platform, the master control system 44 stops the actuator 30 (FIG. 6), which returns the second inclined conveyor 38 to its extended position. This causes the distal end 20 of the second inclined conveyor 38 to swing upward as the proximal end 18 pivots about itself, decreasing the angle θ. The actuator 30 returns the second inclined conveyor 38 to its original position so that it can accept another chick.

[0040] It is therefore apparent that the embodiments herein fully satisfy the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. It is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for determining the sex of chicks (14), comprising: a moving platform configured to freely support a chick thereon and configured to provide stimulation to the chick to spread its wings; an image capture device (18) positioned proximate to the mobile platform and configured to capture at least one image of the chick while the chick is supported on the mobile platform with its wings free to move; a computer processor (32) having access to a database of digital images of wing patterns of male and female chicks of a particular breed, said computer processor configured to communicate with said image capture device, whereby said image capture device captures at least one image of said chick, transmits said image to said computer processor, and processes and compares said image to said database in order to determine the sex of said chick; A system including:

2. The system described in claim 1, wherein the image capture device captures predetermined features of the chick, the predetermined features including wings of the chick.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the database of digital images is limited to digital images of the chick breed.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a vibration mechanism (46), a light (47), or a fan (42) for providing the stimulus.

5. The system described in claim 1, further comprising a sorting area, wherein when the computer processor (32) determines that the deviation level of the chicks (14) exceeds a predetermined range, the sorting device (20, 38) moves the chicks (14) having deviations exceeding the predetermined range to the sorting area.

6. The system described in claim 5, wherein the sorting area is another moving platform.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capture device (18) is a camera.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a master control system (44) in communication with the image capture device (18), the moving platform (12), the computer processor (32) and the tilting moving platform.

9. The system described in claim 1, wherein the moving platform is a downwardly tilting moving platform oriented at a downward angle (θ) relative to the horizontal, the downwardly tilting moving platform causing the chick to raise its wings in response to the chick being on the downwardly tilting moving platform.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the downward angle (θ) is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the horizontal line.

11. The system described in claim 1, wherein the moving platform is an inclined conveyor, the inclined conveyor configured to cause the chick to spread its wings in response to the chick being on the inclined conveyor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capture device (18) is further configured to capture at least one image of the chick while its wings are free to move.

13. A method for determining the sex of chicks (14), comprising the steps of: moving a chick of a particular breed onto a moving platform, said moving platform being configured to freely support said chick and to allow said chick to spread its wings; capturing at least one image of the chick with an image capture device (18) positioned proximate to the mobile platform while the chick is supported on the mobile platform and its wings are free to move; transmitting at least one captured image of the chick to a computer processor (32), where the image is processed and compared to a database of digital images of male and female wing patterns to determine the sex of the chick; The method includes:

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the mobile platform is oriented at a downward angle (θ) with respect to the horizontal, the mobile platform causing the chick to spread its wings in response to the chick being on the downwardly inclined mobile platform, the downward angle (θ) being greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the moving platform is an inclined conveyor, the inclined conveyor configured to cause the chick to spread its wings in response to being on the inclined conveyor.

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