Our solution to end chick culling

When founded in 2013, it was our mission to put an end to chick culling. Today, Ella technology prevents millions of male day-old chicks from being culled. Across multiple countries with high speed, high accuracy and at low costs.

A groundbreaking technology

Today, In Ovo’s Ella technology is transforming the poultry industry by preventing male chick culling, with an egg gender determination accuracy of >98%. Our fully automated machine identifies egg gender on day 9 of incubation, enabling hatcheries to hatch only female chicks while providing a commercially viable and low cost solution for our industry partners.

Developed through close collaboration with the sector, Ella provides an inline solution that seamlessly integrates into modern hatchery operations. By accurately identifying egg gender before hatching, we’re eliminating a decades-long practice and setting a new standard for animal welfare.


How it works

What if we told you that we have the technology to stop chick culling?

There is a chance that it will raise many questions about how it works, and what it looks like. 

That’s why we produced a shiny new video to tell it for us. Just press the play button!


1

High speed

From sample collection to gender identification, Ella’s process is designed for speed without compromising precision. Our technology processes up to 4,800 eggs per hour.


2

High accuracy

Within a second, Ella’s mass spectrometer identifies our unique patented biomarker to determine gender with over 98% accuracy.


3

Low costs

Ella provides a cost-effective solution with minimal consumables, resulting in lower operating costs and reduced waste.

the benefits to hatcheries

Ella is the fast and accurate solution that screens from day 9 at low costs.

Ella ensures only females are hatched, thereby preventing the culling of male chicks.

Cull free eggs are more valuable. Implementation of Ella is an animal welfare improvement that also offers the opportunity to increase a hatchery’s margins. While complying to laws and meeting consumer demands.

  • Processes, tests and analyzes up to 4800 eggs per hour
  • At an accuracy of >98%
  • Sample based testing ensures low cost solution
  • Animal friendly; determines the sex of an egg from day 9
  • Works inline; only the female eggs return to the incubator
  • Fully automated line
  • Screens both white and brown eggs
  • Designed to have minimum impact on hatchery process
  • Installed and serviced by In Ovo
  • Small footprint

Frequently asked questions

Martin Enderink

Global Sales Director

Curious about our Ella solution?

Want to know more about Ella? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.