A day 4 in-ovo egg sexing system using hyperspectral imaging technology will launch at IPPE 2027, developed by SANOVO Technology Group, Canadian Egg Technologies, and MatrixSpec Solutions. The hatchery-validated system enables early sex detection before nociception onset, improves animal welfare, reduces resource consumption, and frees 40-60% more incubator capacity for viable female eggs.
- Technology: Hyperspectral imaging system combines artificial intelligence and optical imaging to detect egg sex as early as day 4 of incubation
- Launch: Day 4 in-ovo sexing system will debut at International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in January 2027
- Welfare benefit: Sexing at day 4 identifies infertile and male embryos before nociception onset, supporting major animal welfare standards
- Operational efficiency: System frees 40-60% more incubator capacity and reduces resource consumption without expensive consumables or significant electrical energy
- Scalability: Designed to work across independent hatcheries to large-scale facilities with potential upgrade path to pre-incubation (D0) sexing
A day four (D4) in-ovo egg sexing system will launch at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in January 2027. Its developers, SANOVO Technology Group, Canadian Egg Technologies (CET) and MatrixSpec Solutions, say attendees will be able to see the technology up close and speak with the team behind it.
The Canadian-developed system is the only commercial in-ovo sexing technology designed to advance from early-incubation (D4) sex detection to pre-incubation (D0) sexing. That upgrade would come through a platform change and would not require significant further capital expenditure, according to a press release.
Company leaders met with their technology and marketing teams in Odense last week to plan the launch. Participants included SANOVO Technology Group chairman, Thor Stadil, and Group CEO, Michael Midskov, CET co-chairs Roger Pelissero and Scott Helps and MatrixSpec Solutions founder and CEO, Dr. Michael Ngadi.
Hatchery-validated and built to scale
The hyperspectral imaging system currently enables accurate, non-destructive sex determination as early as day 4 of incubation. The developers describe it as hatchery-validated and cost-effective, and say it is designed to scale from independent hatcheries to large facilities.
Hyperspectral imaging is a form of spectroscopy that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and optical imaging. In simpler terms, it collects and processes information about wavelengths on the light spectrum to determine the chemical composition of an object, in this case, an egg.
Welfare and efficiency benefits
Sexing at day 4 allows hatcheries to identify infertile and male embryos well before the onset of nociception, a benchmark established by major international animal welfare organizations. The developers say this offers a credible, scalable way to address a complex part of the supply chain while supporting advances in animal care and sustainability.
The companies also state that the technology measurably reduces resource consumption across the hatch cycle and does not require expensive consumables or significant electrical energy to operate. They add that hatcheries can improve operational efficiency by freeing 40-60% more incubator capacity at day 4 for viable female eggs.
