Abstract: A system and method for automatically delivering a substance to an animal or fish including a positioning system that positions each animal singularly and a sensor that detects the location of a predetermined targeted area on the animal. The system further includes a delivery device for delivering a substance to the targeted area. The position of the delivery device may be adjustable. The delivery device is in communication with the sensor. The delivery device adjusts its position in response to the data received from the sensor and delivers a substance to the targeted area.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically delivering a substance to an animal or fish including a positioning system that positions each animal singularly and a sensor that detects the location of a predetermined targeted area on the animal. The system further includes a delivery device for delivering a substance to the targeted area. The position of the delivery device may be adjustable. The delivery device is in communication with the sensor. The delivery device adjusts its position in response to the data received from the sensor and delivers a substance to the targeted area.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically delivering a substance to an animal including a positioning system that positions each animal singularly, a sensor that detects the location of a predetermined targeted area on the animal and an image processor. The system further includes a delivery device having a plurality of delivery outlets for delivering a substance to the targeted area. The sensor, image processor and delivery device are in communication with a computer processor. The sensor activates the image processor which takes at least one image of the animal positioned singularly. The image is communicated to the computer processor and analyzed. The computer processor activates the delivery outlet proximate the predetermined target area on the animal which delivers an effective dosage of substance to the predetermined targeted area.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for disrupting the outer membrane of an oocyst in solution and delivering the solution to an animal. The system includes a vessel containing unbroken oocysts in solution, an oocyst processing chamber, and a delivery outlet. The unbroken oocysts are moved from the vessel through the processing chamber and a portion of the oocyst membranes are disrupted releasing sporocysts, the resulting solution is moved from the processing chamber into the delivery outlet where the solution is delivered to an animal. Methods of vaccination, including vaccination against an Eimeria infection, are also provided.

Abstract: A first system for determining the relative health of a chick having 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, stimuli 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.

Abstract: A first system for determining the relative health of a chick having 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 in eludes a second moving platform, a second image capture device, stimuli 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.

Abstract: An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a processing head and processing devices associated therewith. Each processing device has an end configured to interact with an avian egg. Each processing device is capable of being selectively held in a non-contact or contact position with respect to an avian egg during a processing sequence such that a first subset of the processing devices is in the non-contact position while simultaneously having a second subset of the processing devices in the contact position. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically delivering a substance to an animal or fish including a positioning system that positions each animal singularly and a sensor that detects the location of a predetermined targeted area on the animal. The system further includes a delivery device for delivering a substance to the targeted area. The position of the delivery device may be adjustable. The delivery device is in communication with the sensor. The delivery device adjusts its position in response to the data received from the sensor and delivers a substance to the targeted area.

Abstract: A first system for determining the relative health of a chick having 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, stimuli 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.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically delivering a substance to an animal including a positioning system that positions each animal singularly, a sensor that detects the location of a predetermined targeted area on the animal and an image processor. The system further includes a delivery device having a plurality of delivery outlets for delivering a substance to the targeted area. The sensor, image processor and delivery device are in communication with a computer processor. The sensor activates the image processor which takes at least one image of the animal positioned singularly. The image is communicated to the computer processor and analyzed. The computer processor activates the delivery outlet proximate the predetermined target area on the animal which delivers an effective dosage of substance to the predetermined targeted area.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is processed using transmission spectroscopy analysis to determine whether the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a processing head and processing devices associated therewith. Each processing device has an end configured to interact with an avian egg. Each processing device is capable of being selectively held in a non-contact or contact position with respect to an avian egg during a processing sequence such that a first subset of the processing devices is in the non-contact position while simultaneously having a second subset of the processing devices in the contact position. An associated method is also provided.