A new hatchery in Norway, currently in the final stages of construction in Sirevåg and expected to be operational in early 2025, will use the in ovo sexing technology developed by the company Genus Focus, which enables contact-free sexing of eggs prior to chick hatching.
The system to be installed at Sirevåg Hatchery was developed by Orbem, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its in ovo sexing solution is based on magnetic resonance imaging and image analysis of the egg, a process supported by artificial intelligence. Orbem is working at the hatchery in partnership with Vencomatic Group, a distributor of automation and equipment for the poultry industry.
According to Andreas Salte, Chief Executive Officer of Sirevåg Rugeri AS, the hatchery company, “we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Orbem and Vencomatic Group to deliver an in ovo sexing solution, as this will contribute to more sustainable egg production by eliminating the culling of day-old male chicks.”
He further adds that they have been closely following the technological development of hatching egg sexing for a long time, and that Genus Focus has made impressive advances in recent years, so they are looking forward to being able to offer this solution to their customers.