Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for non-destructively identifying a characteristic of a Gallus Gallus domesticus embryo in ovo, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of material associated with an egg comprising the embryo, and (b) measuring a score value for the presence of, and concentration of at least a first biomarker in the sample indicative of the characteristic of the embryo, and (c) applying a threshold to the score value and concentration obtained in (b) to identify the characteristic for the embryo associated with the presence and concentration of the biomarker, wherein an at least first biomarker comprises an amino compound having a molecular weight in the range of from 140 to 190 g/mole, wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) correlating each relevant biomarker signal with a reference biomarker by matching the spectrum of each correlating signal with the expected spectrum of the correlating reference biomarker using a similarity measure, to define at least one positively cor

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a characteristic of one or more eggs in an automated manner, comprising the steps of: a. extracting a sample from one or more eggs in an automated manner; i. holding and transferring the sample through one or more instruments to a unit for holding one or more samples; ii. ejecting an aliquot from the sample by applying sound or light energy to at least an amount of the sample; iii. entraining the ejected aliquot in a gas or liquid stream; and iv. transporting the ejected aliquot to a mass spectrometer using the gas or liquid stream; and b. analyzing the sample or an aliquot thereof in an automated manner in a mass spectrometer for the absence or presence and the amount of one or more molecules, to determine one or more characteristics of the egg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for non-destructively identifying a characteristic of a Gallus Gallus domesticus embryo in ovo, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of material associated with an egg comprising the embryo, and (b) measuring a score value for the presence of, and concentration of at least a first biomarker in the sample indicative of the characteristic of the embryo, and (c) applying a threshold to the score value and concentration obtained in (b) to identify the characteristic for the embryo associated with the presence and concentration of the biomarker, wherein an at least first biomarker comprises an amino compound having a molecular weight in the range of from 140 to 190 g/mole, wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) correlating each relevant biomarker signal with a reference biomarker by matching the spectrum of each correlating signal with the expected spectrum of the correlating reference biomarker using a similarity measure, to define at least one positively correl

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automated system for sampling an egg that includes an egg manipulator to hold and orient one or more eggs in a defined position; an opener for opening the outer shell of the egg; an extractor for removing a sample from the allantois of the egg, and which preferably includes a system to apply increased gas pressure to the extractor up to the moment of contact with the egg; a system to clean the opener or extractor before or after removing a sample from the egg; and a sealing unit for closing the opening of the egg with a sealer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated egg analyzing and determining system, comprising: a conveyor system configured to transport one or more eggs to a sampling system; a sampling system configured to extract a sample from one or more eggs; a sample transfer system configured to receive the sample for transfer to an assaying system; and an assaying system configured to receive the sample from the sample transfer system and to determine one or more characteristics of one or more eggs or the sample or an aliquot of a sample thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-controlled system for non-invasively identifying the location of the air cell of an egg and determining a preferred extraction point relative to the position of the air cell of the egg, the system comprising: a. an egg manipulator to hold and orient one or more eggs in a defined position; b. a candling unit comprising one or more light sources and one or more detectors; c. a system which is configured to run an algorithm for determining the location of the air cell of the egg and the preferred extraction point; and d. a system for positioning the egg relative to an extractor or an egg opener or vice versa from their initial position to the preferred extraction point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hatcher basket for holding newly hatched birds in an incubator. The basket has: —a pair of side walls on horizontally opposite sides having a plurality of horizontally-extending openings through them; —a horizontally-extending trough which is attached to the exterior of each side wall and which can contain feed for the newly hatched birds; —the bottom of each opening in each side wall being located at the same distance above the bottom of the side wall; —the top of each trough being located at this same distance above the bottom of its side wall; and —the size of each opening being significantly larger than the head of the newly hatched birds but significantly smaller than the thorax of the newly hatched birds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for growing a feed organism from a composition comprising solid homogenized eggs, comprising collecting eggs that have been exposed to an incubation process; homogenizing the eggs; and subjecting the homogenized eggs to a denaturation process to obtain the solid homogenized eggs; and feeding the solid homogenized eggs to the feed organism. The present invention relates furthermore to the composition, and to its uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the non-destructive determination of gender, developmental stage and/or viability of an avian embryo in an egg, comprising (a) detecting at least a first developmental marker compound selected from sugars and/or amino acids, precursors and metabolites thereof in an egg at a time period of from the beginning of the incubation of the egg until the hatching; (b) measuring the amount of the at least first detected developmental marker compound, and (c) comparing the amount to a base line established for male and female, developmental stage of the embryo, and/or alive and deceased or non-developed embryo, to determine whether the embryo is viable, male and/or female, and/or the developmental stage of the embryo.

Abstract: Method for providing a bird, reptile or mammal, for its consumption, with a source of water that does not dry out under prolonged heating conditions by providing an exogenous deep eutectic solvent of water and two or more primary metabolites. In particular, a method for strengthening newly hatched birds during their incubation by providing the birds, for their consumption during their incubation, with the exogenous deep eutectic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hatcher basket for holding newly hatched birds in an incubator. The basket has: - a pair of side walls on horizontally opposite sides having a plurality of horizontally-extending openings through them; - a horizontally-extending trough which is attached to the exterior of each side wall and which can contain feed for the newly hatched birds; - the bottom of each opening in each side wall being located at the same distance above the bottom of the side wall; - the top of each trough being located at this same distance above the bottom of its side wall; and - the size of each opening being significantly larger than the head of the newly hatched birds but significantly smaller than the thorax of the newly hatched birds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for non-destructively identifying a characteristic of a Gallus Gallus domesticus embryo in ovo, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of material associated with an egg comprising the embryo, and (b) measuring a score value for the presence of, and concentration of at least a first biomarker in the sample indicative of the characteristic of the embryo, and (c) applying a threshold to the score value and concentration obtained in (b) to identify the characteristic for the embryo associated with the presence and concentration of the biomarker, wherein an at least first biomarker comprises an amino compound having a molecular weight in the range of from 140 to 190 g/mole, wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) correlating each relevant biomarker signal with a reference biomarker by matching the spectrum of each correlating signal with the expected spectrum of the correlating reference biomarker using a similarity measure, to define at least one positively correl

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing food and water for consumption and digestion by: newly hatched birds or newly hatched reptiles undergoing incubation; and/or baby birds and baby reptiles being transported after incubation. The birds or reptiles are fed edible insects and/or edible parts of insects during their incubation or transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the non-destructive determination of gender, developmental stage and/or viability of an avian embryo in an egg, comprising (a) detecting at least a first developmental marker compound selected from sugars and/or amino acids, precursors and metabolites thereof in an egg at a time period of from the beginning of the incubation of the egg until the hatching; (b) measuring the amount of the at least first detected developmental marker compound, and (c) comparing the amount to a base line established for male and female, developmental stage of the embryo, and/or alive and deceased or non-developed embryo, to determine whether the embryo is viable, male and/or female, and/or the developmental stage of the embryo.