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"With candling, you have to wait until the embryo reaches a certain size before you can assess whether the egg will survive," explains Nelson. "The trouble is that, by the time the egg is determined to be infertile, it is pretty much worthless." McGill University's new technique delivers a quick, non-destructive and accurate method of assessing the hatchability of eggs using hyperspectral imaging. The technology beams light through the eggshell allowing information to be gathered not only from the visible portion of the light spectrum, but also the invisible infrared and ultraviolet portions. Using the hyperspectral data, the researchers are able to detect the chemical profile of the egg and use it to calculate fertility with almost 100 percent accuracy. Nelson says the beauty of the McGill University innovation is that it can predict fertility with greater accuracy at a much earlier stage, before long and costly incubation. "With the McGill technology," Nelson notes, "there are potentially millions in extra revenues at stake." By not incubating infertile eggs, the hatchery industry will realize significant savings in space and heating costs. Eggs found to be infertile at that point may also be used for alternative markets, thereby generating new revenues.
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