Hen Egg Optical Sexing Using Early Incubation Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sexing hen eggs before hatching are either destructive, lower hatching rates, or non-destructive methods are time-consuming and costly, and none can achieve precise sexing before the seventh day of incubation, failing to address animal welfare concerns.
Innovation Solution
A sexing apparatus and method using light irradiation, imaging, and machine learning to create a sexing model for early-stage incubation, allowing highly precise non-destructive sexing by inputting image data into a sexing model trained on hen egg images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-destructive spectrographic methods are used for sexing, then animal welfare is improved, but measurement precision is insufficient before the seventh day of incubation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic adjustment of light source wavelength and imaging magnification to adapt to different incubation stages. The system dynamically selects optimal imaging parameters based on the incubation period, enabling precise sexing at early stages while maintaining non-destructive measurement throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters including light wavelength (400-1500nm range), imaging magnification (0.5x-5x), and incubation time window to achieve both non-destructive measurement and high precision sexing at early incubation stages before day 7.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional non-destructive methods are used, then animal welfare is improved, but the time required for implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary imaging and analysis at early incubation stages (day 3-7), allowing sex determination to be completed before the embryo develops pain sensation. This preliminary action enables early sexing without requiring prolonged measurement time later in the incubation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic imaging at specific incubation intervals (day 3, 5, 7) with optimized light pulses and exposure times. This periodic approach enables efficient data collection at critical stages while minimizing total measurement time and avoiding continuous exposure that would extend processing duration.
3Measurement precision
If hole formation and allantoic fluid collection are used for sexing, then sexing can be performed before hatching, but hatching rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical destruction (hole formation and fluid collection) with optical imaging and spectrographic analysis. The system uses light interaction with eggshell and contents to obtain sex determination data without physical penetration, thereby maintaining egg integrity and ensuring normal hatching proceeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images and spectra) of the egg's internal structures and contents to analyze sex characteristics. By working with optical replicas rather than physical samples, the system avoids damaging the egg while still obtaining sufficient information for accurate sexing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables highly precise non-destructive sexing of hen eggs before the seventh day of incubation, improving animal welfare and reducing costs compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating each of hen eggs within a predetermined period of time from start of incubation with light having a wavelength in a range of 400 to 1500 nm... detecting reflected light of at least part of the multiple light pulses
Implementation Method 2
detecting the intensity of light transmitted through the hatching egg... measuring an amount of light having at least one predetermined wavelength corresponding to reflected light or transmitted light from the hen egg
Data Source
AI summary
A sexing apparatus 100 includes irradiation means for irradiating each of hen eggs within a predetermined period of time from start of incubation with light having a predetermined wavelength, imaging means for imaging each of the irradiated hen eggs, means for generating a sexing model using, as training data, a result of separately sexing the hen eggs and image data obtained by the imaging of the hen eggs, and means for sexing a new target hen egg by inputting an image data obtained for the target hen egg by the irradiation means and the imaging means into the sexing model.