A hatchery in Iowa recently celebrated the first chicks hatched from a batch that were sexed “in ovo.” The Hy-Line North America Iowa hatchery is said to be the first to use the non-invasive technology from Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (AAT). Chicks from the hatchery were expected to go to their first customer – NestFresh Eggs – by Dec. 13, 2024, putting eggs sourced from in ovo-sexed hens into the marketplace by June 2, 2025.
AAT said its machine, called “Cheggy,” is the first non-invasive in ovo sex determining technology of its kind, meaning it can determine the sex of a chick before hatching. An identical machine is also operational in Texas, though no chicks have been hatched yet. Cheggy has the capability to sort up to 25,000 brown layer hatching eggs per hour and unit, which can significantly increase efficiency and productivity for hatcheries, according to AAT.
Cheggy only works on brown eggs and AAT currently leases the machines to hatcheries. Cost wise, NestFresh Executive Vice President Mike Spencer says the technology adds about $1.50 per chick. “We pay now about $1 a chick, so with the tech, that’s $2.50 a chick. Once you factor in how many eggs a chicken lays over its lifetime we’re talking about a premium of a few cents per dozen.”
Cheggy works by utilizing “hyperspectral imaging” that can identify differences in the measured light spectra to accurately classify the gender based on feather color. Because the technology is non-invasive, it bears no risk of contamination, ensuring the quality and safety of the embryos throughout the sorting process, the company added.
The non-invasive approach compares to another in ovo sexing method that is being in U.S. called “allontoic sampling.” This method extracts a drop of liquid around day nine of incubation. The fluid is then tested for biomarkers that can be used to determine the sex of the chick. Because a hole must be created in the shell in order to extract the fluid, critics say this method carries contamination risks.
Currently, the egg industry culls some 6 to 7 billion unwanted male chicks annually. The males are killed soon after hatching because there is really no viable market for them – they obviously can’t lay eggs and the meat isn’t suitable for retail sale.
The practice has long drawn criticism from activist groups. It is also coming to the attention of more consumers that find it unacceptable, who are in turn putting more pressure on egg companies. Egg companies are economically incentivized, as well, considering that they are essentially throwing away half their inventory once it hatches, and with no way to recoup those production costs.
It’s worth noting that the introduction of in ovo sexed chicks is expected to create a new category of specialty eggs. NestFresh says it plans to transition its entire egg line to this new process. The company is launching eggs from the sexed chickens in July 2025 at retailers including Albertson’s, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods Market, Publix and H-E-B. Shoppers will be able to identify the eggs via a certification for “Approved Hatchery Operations” from third-party welfare auditor “Certified Humane.” A couple of other egg brands are also exploring in ovo sexing techniques but for now it remains a very tiny market. (Sources: AgFunder, Feedstuffs)
