Non-destructive assessment of chicken egg fertility using hyperspectral imaging

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This study is designed to extend previous research on white shell eggs to hyperspectral imaging detection of fertility and hatchability of brown shell chicken eggs. This is a crucial step to commercialization of the new knowledge. Early detection of infertile and non-hatchable eggs would benefit hatcheries and poultry breeding farms by saving space, handling costs, and preventing contamination from exploder eggs. Development of an efficient, non-destructive and accurate apparatus used on plurality of white and brown shell eggs for identification of infertile egg and discrimination between live and early dead embryos can save the industry millions of dollars each year and would be advantageous to the hatchery industry. Recent research in our laboratory at McGill University showed high potential for application of HSI as a non-destructive method for assessing hatchability, embryo development and mortality in white-shell eggs. The success of the new developed approach needs to be tested on brown-shell eggs for the industrial implementation. The proposed study aims to investigate the potential of developing a unified spectral imaging system to detect fertility and hatchability of white and brown-shell eggs. The scientific knowledge generated in this study will address the interest of the industry in developing practical new approaches of automating detection of fertility and hatchability. The developed approaches in this project will allow for implementation of cost-effective and technologically advanced egg inspection systems that will promote Canada as the world leader in poultry production.