Methods and apparatus for selectively processing eggs having identified characteristics

1. A method of processing avian eggs having an identified characteristic, comprising:

identifying live avian eggs among a plurality of eggs using a classifier;

extracting material selected from the group consisting of amnion, tissue, membrane and blood from the eggs identified as live eggs using a sampling apparatus;

automatically positioning a sample tray proximate to the sampling apparatus to receive the extracted material therefrom using a sample tray handling system;

automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus into respective sample receptacles of the sample tray;

transferring the sample tray from the sampling apparatus to an assaying station;

assaying the material extracted from each egg using the assaying station to identify eggs having a characteristic; and

selectively processing eggs identified as having the characteristic.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying live avian eggs comprises candling the eggs.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying live avian eggs comprises:

illuminating each egg with light from a light source, wherein the light includes light in both visible and infrared wavelengths;

receiving light passing through each egg at a detector positioned adjacent each egg;

determining intensity of the received light as selected ones of the visible and infrared wavelengths for each egg;

generating a spectrum for each egg that represents light intensity at the plurality of visible and infrared wavelengths;

and comparing the generated spectrum for each egg with a spectrum associated with a live egg to identify live eggs.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of illuminating each egg with light comprises illuminating each egg with light at wavelengths of between about three hundred nanometers and about eleven hundred nanometers (300 nm-1,100 nm).

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying live avian eggs comprises:

measuring the opacities of the plurality of eggs;

measuring the temperatures of the plurality of eggs; and

identifying live eggs using the measured opacities and temperatures.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein extracting material from the eggs comprises:

positioning each of the eggs such that a long axis of each egg is oriented at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 180 degrees from vertical, wherein zero degrees vertical is defined by a large end of an egg in a vertically upward position.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

repositioning each of the eggs to a generally vertical orientation after material is withdrawn therefrom; and

moving the generally vertically oriented eggs to another location.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify the characteristic of each egg comprises identifying gender of each egg, and wherein selectively processing the live eggs comprises selectively injecting a vaccine into the eggs of same gender.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising injecting a first vaccine into eggs identified as male, and injecting a second vaccine into eggs identified as female.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify the characteristic of each egg comprises identifying gender of each egg, and wherein processing the live eggs comprises removing eggs identified as having the same gender.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify the characteristic of each egg comprises identifying one or more pathogens within each egg, and wherein processing the live eggs comprises removing eggs identified as having one or more pathogens.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify the characteristic of each egg comprises performing genetic analysis on each egg.

13. A method of processing avian eggs, comprising:

identifying live avian eggs among a plurality of eggs using a classifier;

extracting material selected from the group consisting of amnion, tissue, membrane and blood from eggs identified as live eggs using a sampling apparatus;

automatically positioning a sample tray proximate to the sampling apparatus to receive the extracted material therefrom using a sample tray handling system;

automatically dispensing the extracted material from the sampling apparatus into respective sample receptacles of the sample tray;

transferring the sample tray from the sampling apparatus to an assaying station;

assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify eggs having one or more pathogens therewithin; and

removing eggs identified as having one or more pathogens.

14. A method of claim 13 , further comprising:

assaying the material extracted from each egg to identify gender of each egg.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising selectively injecting a vaccine into the eggs based on gender.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising injecting a first vaccine into eggs identified as male, and injecting a second vaccine into eggs identified as female.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising removing eggs identified as having the same gender.