Japanese in-ovo sexing technology for practical use 

On March 22, 2024, Representative Genki Sudo questioned the progress on the practical application of in-ovo sexing during a session of the House of Councillors’ Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In-ovo sexing is a technology aimed at resolving the issue of male chicks being culled on the first day of their life in the egg-laying poultry industry. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported the following progress: 

Regarding in-ovo sexing, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) is developing a technique to determine the sex of chicken eggs within seven days after incubation begins. This technology involves using AI to analyze in-egg images obtained through the spectrum of light emitted from the eggs when exposed to specific wavelengths of light, including visible light. This technology is currently in the process of being patented, and research is ongoing towards its practical application.

While patent applications do not immediately lead to practical implementation, there appears to have been steady progress in domestic technology development.

At the same time, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tetsushi Sakamoto, mentioned that these technologies overseas have not been widely accepted in production sites due to poor inspection accuracy. However, eggs produced without culling male chicks through in-ovo sexing have already been indeed sold for several years and are beginning to be accepted in production sites.

Representative Sudo highlighted the significant issue of “7 billion male chicks being culled annually,” emphasizing that the continuation of taking so many lives each year is a major problem. Even if the technology is not perfect, better methods should be implemented and continuously improved upon. It requires a commitment to go beyond economic rationality. The value of such efforts is substantial.

When Representative Sudo first raised this issue in November 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ response was inadequate and not entirely truthful. However, this time, their response included references to overseas technologies, indicating a significant change in their approach over the past year. This change is thanks to Representative Sudo and the citizens who have influenced public opinion. Let’s continue to expand the discussion so that the non-invasive in-ovo sexing method can be practically applied as soon as possible!

Trasnlated by: Seika.K