WO2018101139A1 - Hatching egg inspection system and hatching egg inspection program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention sorts hatching eggs from various perspectives at high speed and non-invasively, and is provided with measurement units (light irradiation unit 2, light detection unit 3) for measuring state information indicating a state of a hatching egg, a recording unit 4 for correlating a plurality of days of state information obtained by the measurement units 2, 3 with each individual hatching egg and recording the state information, and a hatching egg sorting unit 5 for sorting hatching eggs on the basis of records correlated with each individual hatching egg of the plurality of days of state information recorded by the recording unit 4.

Description

Egg inspection system and egg inspection program

The present invention relates to an egg inspection system that acquires information on eggs and sorts the eggs.

A chicken line raised on a poultry farm for the production of edible eggs is called a layered chicken. Producers of edible eggs purchase commercial chicks from a breeding company that keeps a breeding flock that is the parent of a practical hen for egg collection and grow the chicks into large chicks for use in producing edible eggs. is doing.

In the breeding company, the farm where the breeding group of parents of the practical chicken is raised is called the breeding farm. As shown in FIG. 1, the eggs laid on this breeding farm are once collected in the egg storage place, and then passed through a process called pre-heating to enter the setter in the incubation place to start incubation. . On the 18th or 19th day after entering the setter, the eggs are transferred to the hatchery in the incubation place, and the chicks hatch about 21 days after the entry.

In this incubation process, when the seed eggs are transferred from the setter to the hatcher, or in the middle of other incubation, an operation is performed to divide the eggs into viable eggs and non-viable eggs (seed eggs in which internal embryos have died or unfertilized eggs). Yes.

A seed egg inspection apparatus shown in Patent Document 1 has been considered as a means for rapidly and non-invasively sorting viable eggs and non-viable eggs. This egg inspection apparatus irradiates the egg with light at a time when a predetermined number of days have passed since the entrance (for example, 18th day), and whether or not there is a fluctuation component in the time-series data of the light intensity of the transmitted light obtained at that time The living egg and the non-viable egg are determined using the control amount of the light source light amount when the LED light amount is controlled for each individual egg so that the light intensity of the transmitted light falls within an appropriate range.
In the same way as inspecting at the time of such transfer (18th day), it is also possible to determine whether a live egg and a non-viable egg by checking at an intermediate time (for example, 11th day or 14th day). is there. This is because the inspection time is made earlier than the 18th day, (1) the possibility of the occurrence of spoiled eggs at the time of the transfer operation is reduced, and (2) the quantity of unfertilized and aborted eggs in the lot is reduced. It is useful to know and predict the approximate yield of chicks.

Japanese Patent No. 4858863

As described above, the conventional egg inspection apparatus is to discriminate based on the information at the time of the transfer or at the intermediate time with the main purpose of discriminating between the viable egg and the non-viable egg. In addition to the distinction between live and non-viable eggs, an object of the present invention is to select seed eggs at high speed and non-invasively from various viewpoints.

Specifically, it is possible to grasp the rate of change that cannot be understood only by measuring on a single day, eliminate the dependency of measurement data on the locus, and improve gender determination accuracy by using multiple evidences. Provided egg inspection apparatus. Moreover, the egg test | inspection apparatus which separates the day which measures data, and the selection day which moves an egg between trays, and can sort an egg avoiding the unstable time peculiar to a seed egg is provided.

That is, the egg inspection system according to the present invention includes a measuring unit that measures state information indicating the state of the egg, a recording unit that records state information obtained by the measuring unit in association with each individual egg, and And an egg sorting unit that sorts the eggs based on a record associated with each individual egg of the state information recorded on the plurality of days recorded in the recording unit.

Here, the “state information” may be any information as long as it indicates the state of the egg, such as an embryo, a state indicating blood vessels or blood, egg weight, the major axis of the egg, Examples include a minor axis, an egg volume such as an egg volume, and an eggshell color.

“Multiple days” refers to two or more time points until the eggs hatch, and not only after entering the incubator (after entering) but also at least one day before entering the incubator (entering) (Before the egg).

Such an egg inspection system can sort eggs from various viewpoints using state information on different days. For example, temporal changes such as embryo growth rate can be grasped from state information on different days. This temporal change is related to attributes such as sex of chicks, hatching time, chick growth, cease of embryo development, timing of cessation, etc.

In the following, the present inventor will pay attention to the fact that the growth of the embryo and the generation and elongation of blood vessels are progressing momentarily in the egg that has survived and developed. In addition to discriminating between live and non-viable eggs, we thought that the seed eggs could be separated from various viewpoints by using temporal changes in the state of the embryo, blood vessels and blood in the seed eggs.

For example, the present inventor has hypothesized that there is a significant difference between a male embryo and a female embryo in the degree of blood vessel growth (growth rate) inside the egg.
Then, the inventor of the present application can estimate the degree of blood vessel growth from the amount of blood accompanying blood vessel growth, that is, the transmittance at 578 nm, which is one of the peak wavelengths of absorption of hemoglobin in blood. Paying attention to the above, the light having a wavelength of 578 nm was irradiated to the egg and the change in transmittance at a wavelength of 578 nm was measured.

As a result, it was found that there is a significant difference between male embryos and female embryos in the transmittance at a wavelength of 578 nm on the seventh day from the start of incubation (introduction). Details will be described later.
That is, the inventor of the present application has a new finding that there is a gender difference in the way blood vessels and blood are formed, and male embryos and female embryos can be distinguished from the degree of blood vessel growth.

The inventor of the present application also hypothesized that there is a significant difference in the growth degree (growth rate) of the egg embryo between the male embryo and the female embryo.
Then, the inventor of the present application pays attention to the fact that the degree of growth of the embryo can be estimated from the opacity at a wavelength of 870 nm, which is difficult to absorb hemoglobin and water in the blood. The change in opacity at 870 nm was measured.

As a result, it was found that there is a significant difference between male embryos and female embryos in opacity at a wavelength of 870 nm on the seventh and eighth days from the start of incubation. Details will be described later.
That is, the inventor of the present application has obtained a new finding that there is a gender difference in the way the embryo formation proceeds, and that a male embryo and a female embryo can be distinguished from the degree of embryo growth.

According to the present invention made based on the above-mentioned new findings, the growth information of the embryos inside the seed eggs and the growth information of the blood vessels obtained from the state information indicating the state of the embryos, blood vessels and blood inside the seed eggs in multiple days Can be used to sort eggs.

In addition, since the status information for a plurality of days is recorded in the recording unit, it is possible to easily manage the status information measured on different days.

Furthermore, the seed eggs at the early stage of incubation have small embryos and are sensitive to external stimuli such as vibrations. If the eggs are transferred to different trays to sort the eggs at this time, the hatching rate may be reduced. There is. When selecting the seed eggs when performing the work of transferring the seed eggs, it is desirable to wait until the transfer work does not affect the hatching rate. In the present invention, since the status information for a plurality of days is recorded in the recording unit, after waiting until the time when the hatching rate is not affected, it is possible to perform the selection and transfer of eggs.

Specifically, it is desirable that the seed egg sorting unit sorts the seed eggs based on the growth state of the embryo inside the seed eggs obtained from the state information of the plurality of days.
Thus, by selecting the seed eggs based on the growth state of the embryo, it is possible to predict the sex of the chick, the hatching time, the chick's growth, and other attributes, the cessation of embryo development, and the timing of cessation.

In the case of laying hens, the economic value of male chicks is poor. This is because male chicks of egg-laying hens cannot be used for egg-collecting purposes, and are not as good for meat as for meat. Therefore, hatched male chicks are discarded after sex discrimination, and are regarded as a problem not only from an economic loss such as the cost of incubating males but also from the viewpoint of bioethics.
Considering this situation, even if it is a hatched egg, the sex of chicks that hatch before the 9th day from the start of incubation, which is the date that can be diverted to a vaccine egg (seed egg used for vaccine production), is high. If it can be predicted with probability, it is possible to divert a male egg with a high probability of hatching to a vaccine egg, reduce economic loss, secure new revenue, and alleviate bioethical problems.
For this reason, it is desirable that the seed egg sorting unit sorts the seed eggs based on the sex of the chicks hatched from the seed eggs predicted from the state information of the plurality of days.
With this configuration, it is possible to select a collection of eggs that have a high proportion of eggs hatched by male chicks and use or sell them as vaccine eggs. In addition, the limited capacity of the hatchery can be preferentially assigned to eggs hatched by female chicks. In addition, the bioethical problem of killing male chicks can be alleviated.

In addition, the egg inspection program according to the present invention includes a recording unit that records the state information of the plurality of days obtained by a measurement unit that measures state information indicating the state of the egg for each individual egg, and the recording unit The computer is provided with a function as an egg sorting unit that sorts the eggs based on the records associated with each individual egg of the state information recorded on the plurality of days.

According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to sort eggs at high speed and non-invasively from various viewpoints.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Egg inspection system 200 ... Setter tray 2 ... Light irradiation part 3 ... Light detection part 4 ... Recording part 5 ... Egg selection part

It is a flowchart which shows the production process of the chick in a general incubation place. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the nondestructive inspection apparatus of the egg used for verification experiment. It is a figure which shows the relative transmittance | permeability spectrum from the 0th day of incubation to the 8th day. It is a figure which shows the time change of the relative transmittance | permeability for every specific wavelength. It is a figure which shows the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 7th day of incubation in the sex of each egg. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the initial egg weight and the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 7th day of incubation in the sex of each egg. It is a figure which shows ratio of the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 7th day of incubation with respect to the relative transmittance of 578 nm on the 0th day of incubation in the sex of each egg. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ratio of the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 7th day of incubation with the initial egg weight and the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 0th day of incubation in the sex of each egg. It is a figure which shows the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 6th day of incubation in the male and female of a seed egg and an unfertilized egg. It is a figure which shows ratio of the relative transmittance | permeability on the 6th day of incubation with respect to the relative transmittance | permeability of 578 nm on the 0th day of incubation in the male and female of a seed egg and an unfertilized egg. Discrimination value of logistic regression distribution with initial egg weight and ratio of relative transmittance on day 7 of incubation to relative transmittance on day 0 of incubation as explanatory variables and gender (male = 1, female = 0) as objective variable FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure (head retraction position N) of the nondestructive test | inspection apparatus of the egg of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the structure (head measurement position M) of the nondestructive test | inspection apparatus of the egg of the embodiment. It is the top view of the setter tray used for the nondestructive inspection apparatus of this embodiment, and the top view of the state which mounted the seed egg on the egg seat of the setter tray. It is a figure which shows the state which is measuring the several egg of the same embodiment simultaneously. It is a figure which shows the ratio of the relative transmittance | permeability of 574 nm on the 7th day of incubation with respect to the relative transmittance | permeability of 574 nm on the 0th day of incubation for each sex. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the initial egg weight according to sex of a seed egg, and the ratio of the relative transmittance of 574 nm on the seventh day of incubation to the relative transmittance of 574 nm on the first day of incubation. It is a schematic diagram which shows the sex threshold and the threshold value of an unfertilized egg. It is a mimetic diagram showing an egg inspection system using a setter tray provided with RFID. It is a figure which shows typically the egg sorting system incorporating the nondestructive inspection apparatus of the egg of deformation | transformation embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the production process of the chick of deformation | transformation embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the initial egg weight and sex ratio of Day8 with respect to Day3 in the sex of a seed egg. It is a figure which shows ratio of the opacity of Day8 with respect to Day3 in the sex of each egg. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ratio of the opacity of Day8 with respect to Day3 and the ratio of the relative transmittance | permeability of 574 nm of Day7 with respect to Day0 in the sex of each egg. The distribution of discriminant values of the logistic regression distribution with the ratio of the opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 and the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0 as explanatory variables and the gender (male = 1, female = 0) as the objective variable is shown. FIG. It is a figure which shows the growth curve which shows the change of ratio of the opacity of DayN (N = 3-18) with respect to Day3.

<Verification experiment>
First, a verification experiment for one of the hypotheses leading to the present invention will be described.
Ninety eggs of egg-collecting chickens (Julia Wright) were obtained. In addition, the egg weight of all the seed eggs (hereinafter referred to as initial egg weight) was measured at the time of acquisition. In addition, the eggs used in this experiment are not preheated.

Immediately before entering the incubator (hereinafter referred to as Day 0), light from a halogen lamp light source is irradiated from the side of the egg every 24 hours after 48 hours, and the transmitted light from the egg is dispersed by the spectrometer. Spectroscopic data of light was measured. The measuring apparatus is shown in FIG.
These data are referred to as Day N data for the Nth day for the purpose of identifying the day of the data after being placed in the incubator.

For the purpose of calibrating the measurement environment, place a cylindrical synthetic resin (polytetrafluoroethylene) block 30 mm long and 45 mm in diameter before measurement on the measurement stand so that the bottom of the block is on the light projecting side instead of eggs. The spectroscopic data were measured.

In the wavelength range of 500 nm to 900 nm, the spectral data of the seed eggs was divided by the spectral data of the synthetic resin block in 1 nm increments, and a spectrum of relative transmittance with the synthetic resin block as a reference was obtained for each egg.

Relative transmittance T (λ)
= Spectral data of wavelength λ of egg / Spectral data of wavelength λ of synthetic resin block

FIG. 3 shows a relative transmittance spectrum from Day 0 to Day 8 of the egg. As shown in FIG. 3, the egg of the relative transmittance spectrum of the egg having an embryo growing therein changes daily.

FIG. 4 shows this change separately for each wavelength of 578 nm, 623 nm, 750 nm, 810 nm, and 870 nm. As shown in FIG. 4, the change in relative transmittance from Day 4 to Day 5 is remarkable for all wavelengths, but the decrease rate calculated by the ratio of the relative transmittance at 578 nm on both days is particularly different for other wavelengths. Is significantly larger than

The reason for this is as follows.
The formation of blood vessels is seen around the scutellum of egg yolk from Day 3. As the blood vessels grow daily, the amount of hemoglobin that is a component of blood increases. As a result, light absorption increases in the vicinity of the peak wavelength of light absorption by hemoglobin. This is because the peak wavelength of hemoglobin absorption is known to be around 578 nm, 540 nm, and 410 nm in the visible region, and 578 nm is one of them.

Therefore, the temporal change in the relative transmittance at 578 nm corresponds to the generation and elongation of blood vessels.

Next, we examined whether there is a difference in the growth of blood vessels between male and female embryos.
Incubation of 90 seed eggs was continued to hatch chicks. 76 chicks hatched from 90 eggs. As a result of sex discrimination, 35 were female and 41 were male. Five were unfertilized eggs. The rest were developmentally terminated eggs whose embryos died before hatching.

FIG. 5 shows the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 7 divided by sex of chicks in 76 eggs hatched by chicks. The white diamond-shaped symbols in FIG. 5 indicate the eggs that have been identified as males as a result of the sex determination of the chicks, and the black circles indicate the eggs that have been identified as females. In the following, the proper use of the two types of symbols in the sex discrimination results in other scatter diagrams is based on this.
From FIG. 5, it can be seen that the relative transmittance of the female at 578 nm is significantly smaller than that of the male (t-test p-value <0.002).
In FIG. 5, for example, if eggs with a relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 7 are greater than 0.005, 26 eggs are extracted. This is 34% of the total 76 pieces. 19 out of 26 are male, and the male ratio is 73%. That is, if the degree of blood vessel or blood generation is estimated with a relative transmittance of 578 nm at a specific time point (Day 7 in this case), and a value whose value is larger than a predetermined threshold is extracted, the probability of male hatching is high. Eggs are extracted.

FIG. 6 is a scatter diagram with the initial egg weight on the horizontal axis and the relative transmittance of 578 nm on Day 7 on the vertical axis. In FIG. 6, the separation of the male distribution and the female distribution is more prominent.

In the above, only the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 7 was used, but the relative transmittance of 578 nm is influenced by the size of the egg in addition to the blood vessels. Therefore, in order to eliminate this influence, the ratio to the relative transmittance of 578 nm at Day 0 was obtained. Hereinafter, the ratio of the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 7 to the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 0 is simply referred to as the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0.

FIG. 7 shows the ratio (decrease rate) of the relative transmittance of Day 7 with respect to Day 0 divided by chick sex. It can be seen from FIG. 7 that the relative transmittance ratio of the female is significantly smaller than that of the male.
In FIG. 7, for example, if eggs with a relative transmittance ratio of Day 7 to Day 0 greater than 0.022 are extracted, 29 eggs are extracted. This is 38% of the total 76 pieces. Of the 29, 21 are male, and the male ratio is 72%. That is, using the ratio of the relative transmittance of 578 nm at a specific time point (Day 7 in this case) to the relative transmittance of 578 nm at a previous time point (Day 0 in this case), the degree of blood vessel and blood production is estimated, If a value whose value is larger than a predetermined threshold is extracted, an egg with a high probability of male hatching is extracted. Compared with the case of only Day7, the male rate does not change and the extraction rate is improved.

FIG. 8 is a scatter diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the initial egg weight and the vertical axis represents the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0. In FIG. 8, the separation of the male distribution and the female distribution is more prominent. is there.

FIG. 9 shows the relative transmittance at 578 nm in Day 6. FIG. 10 is a ratio of the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 6 to the relative transmittance of 578 nm in Day 0. From these FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the difference between the live egg and the unfertilized egg is remarkable. In the case of an unfertilized egg, for example, Day 6 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and before and after (around the first time point described later), blood vessels and / or blood formation in the seed egg is not formed unlike fertilized eggs. is there. The difference between the live egg and the unfertilized egg is Day 6 at the earliest stage and when the difference is clear, but Day 7 can also obtain a result according to Day 6.

The variable X1 (= initial egg weight) on the horizontal axis of the scatter diagram of FIG. 8 and the variable X2 (= ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0) on the vertical axis are explanatory variables, and sex (male = The discriminant was obtained by logistic regression analysis with 1 as the objective variable.

The distribution of the male / female discriminant value Y in the logistic regression analysis is shown in FIG.
In the logistic regression analysis, the male / female discrimination value Y has a higher probability of being male as the value of Y is closer to 1, and conversely, the probability of being female is higher as it is closer to 0.
Therefore, if Y ≧ 0.5 is determined to be a male and Y <0.5 is determined to be a female, the eggs are divided into two groups, an M determination group and an F determination group. That is, the M determination group is a group that includes eggs that have a high probability of male chicks hatching, and the F determination group is a group that includes eggs that have a high probability of female chicks hatching. This classification is called dichotomy.

The discrimination results by the bisection method are shown in Table 1 below.
The blade discrimination male and the blade discrimination female in Table 1 are the numbers of chicks in which males and females were discriminated by blade discrimination after the chicks hatched. The M determination and the F determination are the numbers of eggs that have been determined as the M determination group and the F determination group, respectively. The number of extractions is the number of eggs categorized into each group, and the extraction rate is the ratio of each group to the whole. The male rate is the percentage of males hatching in each group.

If Y ≧ 0.6 is determined to be male, Y <0.4 is determined to be female, and the others are determined to be unknown, the eggs are divided into three groups, M determination group, G determination group, and F determination group. 3 minutes. Here, the M determination group is a group including eggs that have a high probability that male chicks will hatch, the F determination group is a group that includes eggs that have a high probability that female chicks will hatch, and the G determination group is This is a group in which the probabilities of males and females antagonize. This classification is called the trichotomy.

The discrimination results by the trisection method are shown in Table 2 below.
The blade discrimination male and the blade discrimination female in Table 2 are the numbers of chicks in which males and females were discriminated by blade discrimination after the chicks hatched. M determination, G determination, and F determination are the numbers of eggs determined as M determination group, G determination group, and F determination group, respectively. The number of extractions is the number of eggs categorized into each group, and the extraction rate is the ratio of each group to the whole. The male rate is the percentage of males hatching in each group.

Based on the above, the sex difference in the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0 and the combination of these with the initial egg weight predicts the sex of chicks hatched from the seed eggs, and 42% of eggs are divided into M judgment groups by the trisection method. It was found that males hatched from about 84% of eggs. Compared with the case of only the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0 described above, both the extraction rate and the male rate are improved.

As described above, the sex discrimination result by logistic regression analysis using the variable X1 on the horizontal axis and the variable X2 on the vertical axis in the scatter diagram of FIG. 8 as explanatory variables and the gender as an objective variable is shown. Similarly, even if the sex X is determined by logistic regression analysis using the variable X1 on the horizontal axis and the variable X2 on the vertical axis (relative transmittance of 578 nm of Day 7) in the scatter diagram of FIG. The same result as that based on FIG. 8 is obtained.
Thus, in addition to the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 578 nm relative to Day 0 or the relative transmittance of Day 7 to 578 nm, the egg weight is added to the sex determination variable, so that the discrimination performance can be improved. .
Here, the egg weight is used as a variable to be added to the determination, but any variable that indicates the size of the egg such as the major axis or minor axis of the egg other than the egg weight or the volume of the egg may be used.

<First Embodiment>
Below, 1st Embodiment of the egg test system which concerns on this invention is described with reference to drawings.

The egg inspection system 100 of the present embodiment is a non-destructive selection method for the sex of chicks that hatch from the seed egg by estimating the degree of blood vessel and / or blood formation in the egg during the incubation stage of the egg. .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the egg inspection system 100 is configured to be able to inspect a plurality of eggs placed on the setter tray 200 at once, and is setter conveyed by a conveyance mechanism (not shown). The light irradiation part 2 which irradiates light toward the egg from the lower part of the tray 200, and the light detection part 3 which is provided above the setter tray 200 and detects the intensity of the light transmitted through the egg. The light irradiation unit 2 and the light detection unit 3 serve as measurement units that respectively measure state information indicating the state of the embryo, blood vessel, and blood inside the egg. That is, the state information indicating the state of the embryo, blood vessel, and blood inside the seed egg is the intensity of light that has passed through the seed egg or a value (for example, transmittance) obtained using the intensity. In addition, FIG. 12 has shown the conveyance state of the setter tray 200, and FIG. 13 has shown the measurement state of several eggs.

First, the setter tray 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the setter tray 200 has a plurality of, for example, regular hexagonal egg seats 201 on which eggs are placed on the same plane. In FIG. 14, a total of 42 egg seats are provided in 6 rows × 7 columns, and 42 eggs are configured to be placed.

Also, each egg seat 201 has one or a plurality of protrusions 202 that hold the seed eggs while the bottom surface opens downward. As shown in FIG. 15, each egg seat 201 is configured such that there is nothing to block light in addition to the protrusions 202 in the vertical direction. The setter tray 200 used in the incubation ground has various shapes other than those illustrated here, but each egg seat 201 blocks light in addition to the protrusion 202 that holds the egg. The requirements necessary for optical measurement, which will be described later, such as not existing, are satisfied in common, and the present embodiment is not limited to the shape of the setter tray 200.

The setter tray 200 is transported along a predetermined tray transport direction by a transport mechanism (not shown) (see FIG. 12), temporarily stopped at a predetermined detection position, and irradiated with light from the light irradiation unit 2. The light that has passed through the egg is detected by the light detector 3 (see FIG. 13).

The light irradiation unit 2 irradiates light having a wavelength that is absorbed by blood vessels and blood. Specifically, the wavelength absorbed by blood vessels and blood is the wavelength absorbed by hemoglobin and myoglobin. Specifically, it is a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 21 provided corresponding to a plurality of eggs placed on the setter tray 200 at the detection position. The plurality of LEDs 21 are LEDs having an emission center wavelength in the vicinity of 578 nm, and in the present embodiment, have an emission center wavelength at 574 nm. The light irradiation unit 2 may be a laser having an emission center wavelength near 578 nm.

The light detection unit 3 is a plurality of photodiodes (PD) 31 provided so as to face each LED 21. Each PD 31 is housed in a suction cup 32 made of a material having independent black light shielding properties and flexibility, and is fixed to the head 33 together with each suction cup 32. The head 33 includes a measurement position M (see FIGS. 13 and 15) where the suction cup 32 is in close contact with the egg by a lifting mechanism (not shown), and a retreat position N where the setter tray 200 is conveyed away from the measurement position M. (See FIG. 12).

The light irradiation unit 2 of the present embodiment is an LED having an emission center wavelength at 574 nm, but even with this 574 nm, the same result as the relative transmittance of 578 nm in the verification experiment described above can be obtained. The results are shown in FIGS. In this case, it is possible to obtain a relative transmittance of 574 nm by placing simulated eggs of the same shape made of synthetic resin on the setter tray 200 and measuring the intensity of the transmitted light before measuring the eggs. it can.

FIG. 16 shows the ratio (decrease rate) of the relative transmittance of Day 7 with respect to Day 0 divided by chick sex. It can be seen from FIG. 16 that the relative transmittance ratio of the female is significantly smaller than that of the male.

FIG. 17 is a scatter diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the initial egg weight and the vertical axis represents the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0. In FIG. 17, the separation of the male distribution and the female distribution is more prominent. is there.

And as shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13, the egg test system 100 of this embodiment is the state information obtained by the light irradiation part 2 and the light detection part 3 which are measurement parts for every individual egg. The recording unit 4 for recording in association with each other, and the egg sorting unit 5 for sorting the eggs based on the recording associated with each individual egg of the status information recorded in the recording unit 4 for a plurality of days.

Individual eggs on the same setter tray 200 are specified by the position of the egg seat 201. Specifically, the position of the egg seat 201 is specified by designating the column number and the row number in the setter tray 200, and the seed egg above it is specified.
When a plurality of setter trays 200 are used, the tray can be identified by giving a tray ID for identifying the setter tray 200 by means such as a barcode.
Therefore, by recording the status information in association with the recording order information such as the recording date, the tray ID, the row number of the constellation, and the row number, the status information for a plurality of days is recorded in association with each individual egg. Can do.
In addition, by searching records based on the record order information, the tray ID, the column number of the constellation, and the row number, it is possible to refer to the state information for the same egg for a plurality of days in association with each other.

The recording unit 4 and the egg sorting unit 5 are configured by a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, and an AD conversion unit. Then, the CPU and other peripheral devices cooperate with each other according to the egg inspection program stored in the internal memory, so that the functions as the recording unit 4 and the egg sorting unit 5 are exhibited. Further, the recording unit 4 and the egg sorting unit 5 may be configured by a physically integrated computer, or may be configured by a physically separate computer.

Hereinafter, each part 4 and 5 is demonstrated.
The recording unit 4 is a voltage value obtained by the PD 31 of the light detection unit 3 or a ratio between a voltage value obtained by the PD 31 and a voltage value in a simulated egg such as a synthetic resin block obtained in advance. The transmittance value is recorded in association with each individual egg. The voltage value in the simulated egg is obtained by placing the simulated egg on the setter tray 200, as in the case of the seed egg.

The recording unit 4 also includes position information (egg position) of the eggs placed on the setter tray 200 together with an identifier of the setter tray 200 (for example, barcode information provided on the setter tray 200; not shown). ) And the intensity signal (voltage value) of the light transmitted through the egg.

In the recording unit 4 of the present embodiment, the following (1) and (2) are recorded as state information for a plurality of days. The initial egg weight measured before entering the egg is also recorded in the recording unit 4 as the state information of the egg.
(1) Voltage value detected by the PD 31 on the first set date (in this embodiment, the same applies hereinafter) from the start of incubation, or the relative transmittance obtained thereby (2) the first set date before the first set date Voltage value detected by PD31 on 2 setting days (0th day immediately before entering the incubator (before starting incubation) in this embodiment), or relative transmittance obtained thereby

The acquisition of voltage values on the first set date and the second set date is performed by conveying the same setter tray 200 to the detection position, irradiating a plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200 with light by the plurality of LEDs 21, respectively. This is performed by detecting the light transmitted through the egg of each of the plurality of PDs 31.

The first set date is not limited to the seventh day of incubation and may be before or after that (for example, any one of the fifth to eighth days of incubation). The first set date that is optimal for gender discrimination varies depending on the type of chicken and the pre-warming conditions prior to egg entry, and is determined separately by the same method as in the verification experiment of the present invention.
Further, the second set date is not limited to the 0th day of incubation, but preferably may be before or just after the 0th day of incubation. The second set date that is optimal for gender discrimination varies depending on the chicken species and the pre-warming conditions before entering the eggs, and is determined separately by the same method as in the verification experiment of the present invention.

Based on the record associated with each individual egg of the state information (voltage value or relative transmittance of PD 31) recorded in the recording part 4 for the individual eggs, the egg sorting part 5 has blood vessels and / or blood in the egg. A formation degree estimation unit 51 that estimates the degree of formation of the chicks, and a sex determination unit 52 that determines the sex of the chick that hatches from the eggs from the estimated value of the formation degree.

The formation degree estimation unit 51 sets the ratio between the voltage value, which is the state information of the first setting date, and the voltage value, which is the state information of the second setting day, as an estimated value of the formation degree. By taking the ratio of the two, in addition to the effects of instrument differences and tray types, the effects of egg attributes such as egg size and color can be reduced. It is possible to save the time and labor of measurement.

The sex discriminating unit 52 acquires the estimated value obtained by the formation degree estimating unit 51, and discriminates the sex of the chick that hatches from the seed egg based on the estimated value. In addition, the sex determination unit 52 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to determine unfertilized eggs based on the estimated value. In other words, the egg test system 100 includes an unfertilized determination unit that determines whether the egg is an unfertilized egg based on the intensity of light transmitted through the egg on the first set date.

Here, the gender discriminating unit 52 is either a bisection method for selecting an M determination group and an F determination group or a trisection method for selecting an M determination group, a G determination group, and an F determination group by setting a threshold. Configured as

The M determination group is a group including eggs that have a high probability of male chicks hatching.
The F determination group is a group including eggs that have a high probability of female chicks hatching.
In the case of the trichotomy, the G determination group is a group including eggs that do not belong to either the M determination group or the F determination group. The G determination group is an intermediate group between the M determination group and the F determination group, and cannot be said to have a high probability that either male or female chicks hatch.

That is, in the case of the bisection method in which the gender determination unit 52 selects the M determination group and the F determination group, the M / F threshold value for selecting the M determination group and the F determination group is set. The M / F threshold value is input in advance to the sex determination unit.

On the other hand, in the case of the trisection method in which the gender determination unit 52 selects the M determination group, the G determination group, and the F determination group, as shown in FIG. 18, the selection for the M determination group and the G determination group is performed. The M / G threshold value and the G / F threshold value for selecting the G determination group and the F determination group are set. The M / G threshold and the G / F threshold are input to the gender determination unit 52 in advance.
Moreover, the sex discrimination | determination part 52 has set the unfertilized egg threshold value for selecting an unfertilized egg in any of the above-mentioned bisection method and trisection method. This unfertilized egg threshold is set to a value larger than the M / F threshold and the M / G threshold.

As described above, the sex determination unit 52 can perform sex discrimination using the estimated value obtained by the formation degree estimation unit 51 in the egg sorting unit 5.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
According to the egg inspection system 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, temporal changes such as the growth rate of an embryo are grasped from state information on different days (Day 0 and Day 7, but not limited to this). can do. This temporal change represents the degree of blood vessel and / or blood formation in the seed egg, and since it differs between male and female embryos, the sex of chicks that hatch from the seed egg can be determined, Eggs can be sorted out.

That is, the approximate yield of chicks can be predicted at an early stage. Specifically, a group containing a large number of males is selected from the lot and diverted to a vaccine egg. If the predicted quantity of chicks that can be sold is greater than the number of orders received, a resale destination is found. Can take actions such as procuring chicks from other companies in the same industry to make up for the shortfall.

In this embodiment, since it is configured to be able to discriminate unfertilized eggs based on the estimated value, it is possible to remove spoiled eggs at the time of transfer by removing unfertilized eggs and aborted eggs at an early stage. Can be reduced, the yield of chicks can be predicted at an early stage, and the rate of unfertilized eggs can be determined to determine the optimal number of eggs to be laid so that chicks will not be overdeficient or insufficient. It can be used for the management of parent flocks.

Also, since the status information for a plurality of days is recorded in the recording unit 4, the status information measured on different days can be easily managed. Furthermore, since the status information for a plurality of days is recorded in the recording unit 4, after waiting until a time when the hatching rate is not affected, it is possible to perform selection and transfer of eggs.

Second Embodiment
Next, 2nd Embodiment of the egg test system which concerns on this invention is described with reference to drawings.

The egg inspection system 100 of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the recording unit 4 and the configuration of writing data in the recording unit 4.
Specifically, the recording unit 4 of the present embodiment is a non-contact IC tag such as an RFID provided on the setter tray 200 as shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the egg inspection system 100 includes a light intensity writing unit 6 that writes the light intensity (voltage value) obtained by the light detection unit 3 in the non-contact IC tag 4 and a non-contact IC tag 4. A light intensity reading unit 7 for reading the recorded light intensity and a determination result writing unit 8 for writing the determination result obtained by the gender determination unit 52 to the non-contact IC tag 4 are provided. The light intensity writing unit 6, the light intensity reading unit 7, and the discrimination result writing unit 8 are configured by a reader / writer that writes and reads data to and from the non-contact IC tag 4. The procedure for nondestructive inspection of eggs in this case is as follows.

In Day 0 before entering the egg, the setter tray 200 is transported to a detection position, and a plurality of LEDs 21 irradiate a plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200, and light transmitted through each egg is detected by a plurality of PDs 31. To do. The egg inspection system 100 acquires the voltage value of the PD 31. The voltage value of Day 0 is written to the non-contact IC tag 4 provided on the setter tray 200 by the light intensity writing unit 6 of the egg inspection system 100 together with the position information (egg position) of the egg. The non-contact IC tag 4 also records the initial egg weight.

On the seventh day from the start of incubation (Day 7), the setter tray 200 is transported to the detection position again, and the plurality of LEDs 21 irradiate the plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200 with light, and the light transmitted through each egg is transmitted. Detection is performed by a plurality of PDs 31. The egg inspection system 100 acquires the voltage value of the PD 31. The voltage value of Day 7 is written to the non-contact IC tag 4 provided on the setter tray 200 together with the position information (egg position) of the egg by the light intensity writing unit 6 of the egg inspection system 100.

The light intensity reading unit 7 of the egg inspection system 100 acquires the voltage value of Day 0 and the voltage value of Day 7 from the non-contact IC tag 4. Then, the formation degree estimating unit 51 calculates an estimated value using the voltage value of Day 0 and the voltage value of Day 7, and the gender determining unit 52 compares the estimated value with a predetermined threshold value for each egg. Determine the sex of the chicks that hatch. This discrimination result is written together with the position information (egg position) of the egg by the discrimination result writing unit 8 of the egg test system 100 to the non-contact IC tag 4 of the setter tray 200.

Thereafter, for example, on the ninth day from the start of incubation (an example of the third set date after the first set date, not limited to the ninth day), the setter tray 200 is conveyed to the sorting device 400. The discrimination result recorded in the non-contact IC tag 4 is read by the discrimination result reading unit (specifically reader / writer) 401 provided in the sorting device 400, and the sorting device 400 has at least M eggs. Sorted into judgment groups and F judgment groups. FIG. 19 shows a case where the G determination group and the unfertilized egg (discard) are sorted.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
The egg inspection system 100 of the present embodiment writes the discrimination result obtained by the light intensity obtained by the light detection unit 3 and the sex discrimination unit 52 on the non-contact IC tag 4 provided on the setter tray 200. Since it is comprised, the data management of the egg for every setter tray 200 becomes easy. Moreover, the discrimination result obtained by the sex discrimination unit 52 can be written in the non-contact IC tag 4 provided on the setter tray 200, and the eggs can be sorted using the discrimination result at a later date. Even in the early incubation period, the transfer of seed eggs can be waited until the hatching rate is not affected.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments.
<Modification of the egg sorting system (FIG. 20)>
FIG. 20 shows an egg sorting system incorporating the egg inspection system 100. In this system, the light irradiation unit 2 and the light detection unit 3 and the egg sorting unit 5 are physically separated. In this example, the egg sorting system includes a light intensity writing unit 6 that writes the light intensity obtained by the light detection unit 3 to the non-contact IC tag 4. Further, an apparatus (for example, a sorting apparatus 400) different from the nondestructive inspection apparatus 100 includes a light intensity reading unit 7 that reads the light intensity recorded on the non-contact IC tag 4, a formation degree estimating unit 51, and a gender determining unit 52. And. The light intensity writing unit 6 and the light intensity reading unit 7 are configured by a reader / writer, either the same or separately. The procedure for nondestructive inspection of eggs in this case is as follows.

In Day 0 before entering the egg, the setter tray 200 is transported to a detection position, and a plurality of LEDs 21 irradiate a plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200, and light transmitted through each egg is detected by a plurality of PDs 31. To do. The egg inspection system 100 acquires the voltage value of the PD 31. The voltage value of Day 0 is written to the non-contact IC tag 4 of the setter tray 200 by the light intensity writing unit 6 of the egg inspection system 100 together with the position information (egg position) of the egg. The non-contact IC tag 4 also records the initial egg weight.

On the seventh day from the start of incubation (Day 7), the setter tray 200 is transported to the detection position again, and the plurality of LEDs 21 irradiate the plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200 with light, and the light transmitted through each egg is transmitted. Detection is performed by a plurality of PDs 31. The egg inspection system 100 acquires the voltage value of the PD 31. The voltage value of Day 7 is written to the non-contact IC tag 4 of the setter tray 200 together with the position information (egg seat position) of the setter tray 200 by the light intensity writing unit 6 of the egg inspection system 100.

Thereafter, for example, on the ninth day from the start of incubation, the setter tray 200 is conveyed to the sorting device 400. The light intensity reading unit 7 provided in the sorting device 400 reads the voltage values of Day 0 and Day 7 recorded on the non-contact IC tag 4. Then, the formation degree estimation unit 4 of the sorting apparatus 400 calculates an estimated value using the voltage value of Day 0 and the voltage value of Day 7, and the gender determination unit 5 compares the estimated value with a predetermined threshold value. Determine the sex of chicks that hatch for each egg. Based on the determination result, the sorting apparatus 400 sorts the plurality of eggs into at least the M determination group and the F determination group. FIG. 20 shows a case where the G determination group and unfertilized eggs (discarded) are sorted.
In the case of using a non-contact IC tag such as RFID as the recording unit as in this modified example or the second embodiment described above, the recording unit is not limited to recording all information on the non-contact IC tag. While only a part of information such as a tray ID and an identification code is stored in the IC tag, a second recording unit is provided in a place different from the non-contact IC tag to record individual information related to the part of information. You may do it.

<Modified example of predicting the sex of chicks by further using size information>
The permeability of the seed egg depends on the egg weight, the major axis, the minor axis, and the like. In consideration of the effect of this size, the formation degree estimation unit 51 uses two variables, a variable X1 (= initial egg weight) and a variable X2 (= ratio of relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0) as explanatory variables, Logistic regression analysis is performed to obtain the predicted value Y of the sex (male = 1, female = 0), and the sex determination unit 52 uses this predicted value Y to determine the sex of the chick that hatches from the egg. It may be. In this case, the gender determination unit 52 may perform determination by a bisection method, for example, Y ≧ 0.5 is male and Y <0.5 is female, for example, Y ≧ 0.6 is male, Y < You may perform the discrimination by the trisection method which used 0.4 as the female.

As described above, the formation degree estimation unit 51 may further use the second set date before the first set date or the size information of the seed egg before the start of incubation, and the variable X1 described above is the initial egg. In addition to the weight, the major axis and minor axis of the egg, the volume of the egg, and the like can be considered, and the measurement timing of the size information can be variously changed.

In this modified example, the size information of the egg that is appropriate to be measured before entering the egg and the other information that is appropriate to be measured for Day 0 and Day 7 are used in combination. It is possible to improve the accuracy of gender and other judgments by using multiple evidence measured on the optimal date before or after implantation, and for each individual egg of the status information of multiple days. It can be said that this is an example of effectively utilizing the egg inspection system that selects eggs based on the associated records. Similarly, the relationship between the initial egg weight as shown in FIG. 6 and the relative transmittance of 578 nm on Day 7 (single measurement day) can also take advantage of this egg inspection system. Of course.

Note that the variable X2 is not limited to the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0, and may be the difference in the relative transmittance of Day 0 and Day 7. Needless to say, Day 0 and Day 7 are examples of the first set date and the second set date. Furthermore, when the predicted value Y is obtained, it can be variously changed without being limited to logistic regression analysis as long as the relationship between the variable X1 and the variable X2 can be obtained.

<Modification using multiple wavelengths of light>
The light irradiation unit 2 of the above embodiment uses an LED that emits light (574 nm) having a wavelength absorbed by blood vessels and blood. In addition to this LED, the heart rate measurement of the embryo in the late incubation stage It may include an LED that emits light having a wavelength suitable for (for example, 870 nm). In this case, at the early stage of incubation, the 574-nm LED is used to discriminate between male and female eggs and unfertilized eggs, and at the late stage of incubation, the 870-nm LED is used to identify non-viable eggs (development aborted eggs and unfertilized eggs). A determination can be made. With such a configuration, in the chick production process shown in FIG. 21, the voltage value of the 574 nm PD is measured during the egg insertion operation, and the voltage value of the 574 nm PD is measured during the intermediate egg inspection operation. Eggs can be sorted and removed. In addition, it is possible to remove the male egg and turn it into a vaccine egg by subsequent sex sorting. Incubation of female eggs is continued, and non-viable eggs can be selected and removed by measuring the voltage value of PD at 870 nm during egg inspection at the time of egg transfer. Eggs can be hatched.

When the formation degree estimation unit 51 of the embodiment estimates the degree of formation of blood vessels and / or blood in the eggs based on the first set date and the second set date or the light intensity before the start of incubation. In addition, although the ratio of the light intensity on each setting day is used, various changes can be made such as using the difference in light intensity on each setting day.

<Modification of predicting sex of chick from embryo growth state>
The egg sorting unit of the above embodiment sorts the eggs based on the sex of the chicks hatched from the eggs predicted from the state information of blood vessels and blood. The seed eggs may be selected based on the growth state of the embryo (for example, the growth rate level).
At this time, the following (1) and (2) are recorded in the recording unit 4 as state information for a plurality of days.
(1) Voltage value detected by PD 31 on the first set date (eg, 14th day) from the start of incubation, or relative transmittance obtained thereby (2) Second set date after the first set date (eg, 18 days) Eye) voltage value detected by PD31 or relative transmittance obtained thereby.

In the above embodiment, the sex is determined using the relative transmittance on the seventh day (Day 7) from the start of incubation, but in the inspection apparatus shown in FIG. Using the opacity calculated by the following equation using the LED current (current value flowing through the LED at the time of measurement) obtained for the egg and the PD light reception voltage (average value of the time series data of the PD light reception voltage) The sex may be discriminated. The LED in this case emits near-infrared light that is difficult to absorb hemoglobin and water in blood, and specifically has an emission center wavelength at 870 nm.

Opacity = LED current / PD light receiving voltage = LED current / (egg transmittance × LED current × LED luminous efficiency × PD sensitivity)
= K × (1 / egg permeability)
However, K = 1 / (LED luminous efficiency x PD sensitivity)

It should be noted that the coefficient K can be eliminated by obtaining the ratio of the opacity of different measurement days at the same locus.

Ratio of DayN opacity to DayM = DayN opacity / DayM opacity = DayM egg permeability / DayN egg permeability

By using this formula, it does not depend on the locus used for the measurement, so the ratio between the transmittances, which is an attribute unique to eggs, can be discussed between eggs.

In the following examples, since the measurement of opacity was started from Day 3, the ratio of Day N opacity to Day 3 is used.

In this example, similarly to the verification experiment described above, 90 egg eggs (Julia Wright) were obtained and the egg weight of all the egg eggs (hereinafter referred to as initial egg weight) was measured at the time of acquisition.

Every 24 hours from Day 3 to Day 18, the eggs were irradiated with LED light having an emission center wavelength of 870 nm, and the transmitted light from the eggs was received by the PD. In addition, this test | inspection apparatus changed the electric current value sent through LED so that the light reception voltage of PD might become a predetermined range for every egg.

FIG. 22 is a scatter diagram with the initial egg weight on the horizontal axis and the ratio of Day 8 opacity to Day 3 on the vertical axis in 76 eggs hatched with chicks. FIG. 23 shows the hatched chicks. In 76 eggs, the ratio of the opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 is shown separately for each sex of chicks. From FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, it can be seen that the ratio of the opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 of female is significantly larger than that of male (t-test p value <0.037).

In FIG. 23, for example, if eggs having a opacity ratio of Day 8 to Day 3 of less than 2.25 are extracted, 37 eggs are extracted. This is 49% of the total 76 pieces. 23 out of 37 are males, and the male ratio is 62%. Thus, gender discrimination can also be performed by the ratio of Day 8 opacity to Day 3.

FIG. 24 is a scatter diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the ratio of the opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 and the vertical axis represents the ratio of the relative transmittance of 574 nm of Day 7 to Day 0.
The variable X1 on the horizontal axis of the scatter diagram of FIG. 24 (= the ratio of the opacity of Day 8 to Day 3) and the variable X2 on the vertical axis (= the ratio of the relative transmittance of Day 7 to Day 0) are explanatory variables. The discriminant was obtained by logistic regression analysis with gender (male = 1, female = 0) as the objective variable.

FIG. 25 shows the distribution of the male / female discrimination value Y in the logistic regression analysis. Note that the male / female discrimination value Y in logistic regression analysis has a higher probability of being male as the value of Y is closer to 1, and conversely, the probability of being female is higher as it is closer to 0.

When Y ≧ 0.55 is determined as male and Y <0.55 as female, the eggs are divided into two groups, M determination group and F determination group (dichotomy).

The discrimination results by this bisection method are shown in Table 3 below.

If Y ≧ 0.62 is determined to be male, Y <0.42 is determined to be female, and the other is determined to be unknown, the eggs are divided into three groups, M determination group, G determination group, and F determination group. 3 minutes (3 minutes method).

The discrimination results by this trisection method are shown in Table 4 below.

Based on the above, the sex of the relative transmittance ratio of Day 7 to Day 0 and the sex difference of the ratio of opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 are predicted to predict the sex of chicks hatched from the seed eggs. % Of eggs were extracted as M judgment groups, and it was found that males hatched from about 80% of eggs. Compared to the case of only the sex difference in the ratio of opacity of Day 8 to Day 3 described above, both the extraction rate and the male rate are improved.

Here, opacity is used to estimate the degree of embryo growth, but “embryo status information” may also be metabolic strength (eg, heart rate strength). .

<Modified example of predicting and selecting late-stage aborted embryos from embryo growth state>
In the embodiment, the egg sorting unit sorts the seed eggs based on the sex of the chicks that hatch from the seed eggs, but the growth state of the embryo inside the seed eggs obtained from the state information of multiple days (for example, the level of the growth rate) ) Based on other than males and females.
Hereinafter, application examples other than sex determination of the opacity ratio of different days will be described.
Even if it is determined that the eggs are viable by observing the movement of the heart and the activity of the embryo in the test for viability determination at the time of transfer on the 18th day (Day 18) after the start of incubation, not all the live eggs are hatched.

Usually, when breathing changes to pulmonary breathing after egg transfer, the chicks in the egg break the eggshell from the inside and make a small hole. This hole is called a scar. In many cases, chicks hatch within a few hours when scar marks appear, but some do not hatch.
Eggs that survived at the time of transfer but did not hatch are called “dead eggs”. It is difficult to determine whether or not death will occur from only the Day 18 data.

On the other hand, by looking at the ratio of the opacity of Day 18 to Day 14, it is possible to see the difference in the growth rate of the embryo in the late incubation stage during the rapid growth stage. The inventors of the present application have found that there is a high possibility of becoming a “dead egg” when the ratio of the opacity of Day 18 to Day 14 is small.

FIG. 26 shows a growth curve showing a change in the ratio of opacity of Day N (N = 3 to 18) to Day 3. As can be seen from FIG. 26, when the ratio of the opacity of Day 18 to Day 14 is small, there is a high possibility of becoming a “dead egg”. Moreover, when the ratio of the opacity of Day 18 to Day 14 is small, there is a high possibility of “late withdrawal egg”. Note that late-stage aborted eggs can be identified even in the presence of vital signs, but the discrimination accuracy can be improved by using the ratio of opacity.

The acquisition of the voltage values on the first set date and the second set date is performed by transferring the same setter tray 200 to the detection position and using a plurality of LEDs 21 to a plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200, as in the above embodiment. This is performed by irradiating light and detecting the light transmitted through each egg with a plurality of PDs 31.

The first set date is not limited to the 14th day of incubation, but may be before or after (for example, any one of the 12th to 15th days of incubation). Further, the second set date is not limited to the 18th day of incubation, and may be before or after (for example, any one of the 16th to 19th days of incubation). The first set date and the second set date that are optimal for discriminating the growth rate of the embryo vary depending on the chicken species and pre-warming conditions before entering the eggs, and are determined separately by the same method as the verification experiment of the present invention. The

In this way, by selecting the seed eggs according to the growth rate level, the seed egg sorting unit predicts the hatching time of the seed eggs and sorts the seed eggs for each hatching time, or predicts attributes such as chick growth You can sort eggs for each attribute. Moreover, the optimal incubation condition can also be set for every seed egg by classifying a seed egg for every attribute.

<Other variations>
For example, a light source having a broad wavelength such as a halogen lamp may be used as the light irradiation unit 2. In this case, the light detection unit 3 has a configuration using a spectroscope for obtaining a multi-wavelength spectrum. In the case of this configuration, the light intensity means a spectral intensity spectrum.

At this time, the following (1) and (2) are recorded in the recording unit 4 as state information for a plurality of days.
(1) The value of 578 nm of the spectral intensity spectrum on the first set date from the start of incubation (seventh day in the present embodiment, according to the above-described embodiment), or an average value in the vicinity thereof, or incubation The value of 578 nm in the transmittance spectrum, which is the ratio of each wavelength between the spectral intensity spectrum for the egg on the first setting date from the start and the spectral intensity spectrum of the simulated egg such as a synthetic resin block obtained in advance, or Average value of neighboring values (2) Second set date before the first set date (in this embodiment, on the 0th day, just before entering the incubator (before the start of incubation), according to the above-described embodiment) Of the spectral intensity spectrum at 578 nm, or an average value in the vicinity thereof, or a spectral intensity spectrum for the eggs on the first set date from the start of incubation and a synthetic resin block obtained in advance. The value of 578nm in transmittance spectrum is the ratio of each wavelength of the spectral intensity spectrum of an egg, or an average value of values in the vicinity thereof

Spectral intensity spectra on the first set date and the second set date are obtained by transporting the same setter tray 200 to a detection position and irradiating a plurality of eggs on the setter tray 200 with light by the light irradiation unit 2. The light detection unit 3 detects the light transmitted through each egg.

In addition, the egg inspection system 100 has a formation degree estimated value writing unit that writes the formation degree obtained by the formation degree estimation unit 51 to the non-contact IC tag 4. You may comprise so that an estimated value may be written in the contact IC tag 4. FIG. In this case, the estimated value written in the non-contact IC tag 4 is read by the egg inspection system 100 provided with the formation degree estimated value reading unit or the sorting device, and used for sex determination by the sex determining unit 52. . Furthermore, the egg inspection system 100 may further include a discrimination result writing unit and a discrimination result reading unit.

In each of the above embodiments, the seed eggs are selected from the state information acquired on each of the two setting days or on the three setting days, but the seed eggs are selected from the state information acquired on each of four or more setting days. It may be. By comparing four or more pieces of state information in this manner, it is possible to accurately predict attributes such as chick sex, hatching time, chick gain, and the like, cessation of embryo development, and the timing of termination.

In the above-described embodiment, the eggs that are stationary on the setter tray are irradiated with light, and the inspection is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course you may.

Further, the measurement unit for obtaining the state information is not limited to the measurement using the transmitted light. Furthermore, it is needless to say that a plurality of types of measuring units may be used to obtain state information for a plurality of days.
In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an egg inspection system for selecting eggs at high speed and non-invasively from various viewpoints.

Claims (4)

1. A measuring unit for measuring state information indicating the state of the egg,
   A recording unit for recording the state information obtained by the measurement unit in association with each individual egg,
   An egg inspection system comprising: an egg sorting unit that sorts the egg based on a record associated with each individual egg of the state information recorded on the plurality of days recorded in the recording unit.
2. The egg screening system according to claim 1, wherein the egg sorting unit sorts the egg seed based on a growth state of an embryo inside the egg obtained from the state information of the plurality of days.
3. The egg screening system according to claim 1, wherein the egg sorting unit sorts the seed eggs based on the sex of chicks hatched from the seed eggs expected from the state information of the plurality of days.
4. A recording unit that records the state information of a plurality of days obtained by a measurement unit that measures state information indicating the state of the egg for each individual egg;
   A seed egg characterized by having a computer function as an egg sorting unit that sorts the seed egg based on a record associated with each individual egg in the state information recorded on the plurality of days recorded in the recording unit. Inspection program.

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