Automated Vision for Sex Separation of Poultry Chicks

Recognition and separation on newly-hatched poultry chicks by sex require intensive human labor in broiler hatchery operations. Segregation of chicks by gender and grow-out in gender specific management schemes offer significant benefits to the broiler industry. This project will develop an automated online vision inspection system to recognize the sex of baby chicks and separate them into different bins. Our Phase I research has positively demonstrated the feasibility of the technology. This research will be conducted with four aspects. First, we will develop an optical imaging system to inspect chick feather patterns. Second, we will develop chick wing presentation and handling mechanisms for online viewing and sorting of chicks. Next, we will develop electronic and mechanical interfaces for the synchronization and control of motion vision and separation operations. A working prototype will be developed in Phase II.