Abstract: A method and a device for treating poultry eggs with an electron beam bundle to sterilize the calcareous shell are disclosed. The method includes moving at least one egg through the beam path of an electron beam source; irradiating the eggs, whereby the calcareous shell is irradiated with a varying dose; and either carrying out an irradiation encompassing all regions of the calcareous shell of the egg by employing the electron beam bundle, whereby an element is inserted into the path of the electron beam bundle; carrying out an irradiation of a rolling/rolled egg by employing the electron beam source in the path of the electron beam bundle; or carrying out an irradiation of the held eggs by employing the electron beam source in the electron beam bundle path at a zero degree position of one side in a device arranged upstream of a turning device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining the cooked state of eggs. These are characterised in particular in that the cooked state of the egg can be monitored and/or the cooking process can be ended when a desired cooked state has been reached. To this end, an egg is positioned in a vessel, the temperature is increased, and at least one light source is positioned on or in the direct vicinity of the egg. The transmission of light through the egg is determined and a transmission of at least 96% of the maximum transmission degree of a raw egg is achieved for a runny yolk, of at least 94% is achieved for a soft yolk, of at least 90% is achieved for a medium soft yolk, and at least 85% is achieved for a hard yolk.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining the cooked state of eggs. These are characterised in particular in that the cooked state of the egg can be monitored and/or the cooking process can be ended when a desired cooked state has been reached. To this end, an egg is positioned in a vessel, the temperature is increased, and at least one light source is positioned on or in the direct vicinity of the egg. The transmission of light through the egg is determined and a transmission of at least 96% of the maximum transmission degree of a raw egg is achieved for a runny yolk, of at least 94% is achieved for a soft yolk, of at least 90% is achieved for a medium soft yolk, and at least 85% is achieved for a hard yolk.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided for creating an opening in the calcified shell of an incubated bird egg containing an embryo, in the region of the blunt end of the incubated bird egg. Within the region of the blunt end there is an outer membrane and an inner membrane with an air cell located therebetween. The apparatus comprises a holder on which the incubated bird eggs are stored with their pointed ends facing downwards, wherein the embryo adjoins the inner membrane, a first detection device configured to detect the position and geometry of the air cell, and an opening device configured to create an opening in the calcified shell at the blunt end of the incubated bird egg above the taut inner membrane. Due to the open calcified shell, the sex of the embryo may be determined in a reliable way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating poultry eggs with an electron beam bundle to sterilize the calcareous shell, with the following steps: moving at least one egg through the beam path of an electron beam source, irradiating the eggs, whereby the calcareous shell is irradiated with a varying dose, characterized by the following steps: carrying out an irradiation encompassing all regions of the calcareous shell of the egg by means of the electron beam bundle, whereby an element is inserted into the path of the electron beam bundle to distribute the irradiation over all regions of the calcareous shell, whereby owing to the dose being set within a predefined target dose range, the calcareous shell is comprehensively irradiated, or carrying out an irradiation of a rolling/rolled egg by means of the electron beam source in the path of the electron beam bundle, or carrying out an irradiation of the held eggs by means of the electron beam source in the path of the electron beam bundle at

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided for creating an opening in the calcified shell of an incubated bird egg containing an embryo, in the region of the blunt end of the incubated bird egg. Within the region of the blunt end there is an outer membrane and an inner membrane with an air cell located therebetween. The apparatus comprises a holder on which the incubated bird eggs are stored with their pointed ends facing downwards, wherein the embryo adjoins the inner membrane, a first detection device configured to detect the position and geometry of the air cell, and an opening device configured to create an opening in the calcified shell at the blunt end of the incubated bird egg above the taut inner membrane. Due to the open calcified shell, the sex of the embryo may be determined in a reliable way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for locking at least one body part of a living bird in position for recording characteristic vibrational spectra, wherein the apparatus comprises a relief mask for inserting the body part to be locked in position, at least one movable supporting arm provided for locking the body part in position, and a sensor access with a light channel for directing the stimulation light irradiated by a light source onto the locked body part and for collecting the light back-scattered by the locked body part. The present invention further relates to devices and methods for determining the sex of living birds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection/infestation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection/infestation.