<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

HAL
open science

# What are the challenges that faces the egg in the next decade?

Joël Gautron

► To cite this version:

Joël Gautron. What are the challenges that faces the egg in the next decade?. Poultry Forum on In Ovo sexing technology, WPASA Italian Branch, May 2022, Rimini, Italy. hal-04217213

HAL Id: hal-04217213

https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-04217213

Submitted on 25 Sep 2023

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access
archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-
entific research documents, whether they are pub-
lished or not. The documents may come from
teaching and research institutions in France or
abroad, or from public or private research centers.

L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est
destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de
recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
publics ou privés.

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

science for people, life & earth

# What are the challenges that faces the egg in the next decade?

Joël GAUTRON

Joel.gautron@inrae.fr

Directeur de recherche
Research Director
UMR BOA
(33) 2 47 42 75 40

université
de TOURS

UMRBOA

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

Biologie des Oiseaux
& Aviculture
The chicken egg

A Basic ingredient for human food

CHANGES IN CONSUMER
EXPECTATION
ETHICAL ISSUES

✓ Cheap

✓ Well balanced

✓ High nutritional value

✓ No religious prohibition

✓ Used in a lot of culinary preparations

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /></figure>
# History of egg production

* Before the war: Domesticated chickens => mostly self-consumption

* After the war: need to meet the demand (in quantity) and to control the sanitary conditions (in quality: zero risk) => confinement and breeding in cages.

* 80 90s => "productive egg".

73 MT of eggs are produced each year in the word
> 1400 billion eggs per year

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /></figure>
# History of egg production

* Before the war: Domesticated chickens => mostly self-consumption

* After the war: need to meet the demand (in quantity) and to control the sanitary conditions (in quality: zero risk) => confinement and breeding in cages.

* 80 90s => "productive egg".

* Since the end of the 90s: **new consumer demands: strong awareness of citizens on agricultural production systems in general and animal production in particular, including poultry and eggs diversification of farming methods**

* The current European production models are the result of this social demand Welfare Directive for laying hens (1999/74/EC).

* This regulation is also the result of scientific research to satisfy the 5 freedoms of animal welfare: no hunger, no thirst, free of movement, no fear/distress, while allowing the expression of natural behaviour.

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

INRAO
# Egg production system in Europe

## Welfare Directive for laying hens (1999/74/EC)

### Rules for rearing of hens

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /></figure>

Enriched cages

Code 3: Cage fitted with new standards

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /></figure>

Alternative systems

Barn or aviary systems
Indoor or Outdoor

<figure><img src="image_14.png" /></figure>

Code 2: Raised on the ground or in an aviary without outside access

Code 1: Aviary or ground + outdoor access

Code 0: Aviary or ground + outdoor access + Organic production

## The first (Only ?) food ingredient with MANDATORY labelling according to ethical production methods

<figure><img src="image_15.png" /></figure>

INRAO
# Evolution of egg production systems in UE

<figure><img src="image_16.png" /><figcaption>Distribution of laying hen numbers by production system in Europe (2017)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_17.png" /></figure>
And Now ?

Eggs in the next decade ?

<figure><img src="image_18.png" /></figure>
# Eggs and layers, the future

The future of cages systems

<figure><img src="image_19.png" /></figure>

Year of the announced cessation of marketing of furnished caged eggs by retailers in France

<table><tr><td>Aldi</td><td>Auchan</td><td>Carrefour</td><td>Casino</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>2022</td><td>2020</td><td>2020</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>Cora</td><td>Leclerc</td><td>Lidl</td><td>U</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>2020</td><td>2020</td><td>2020</td></tr></table>

A strong questioning of animal and layer farming

<figure><img src="image_20.png" /></figure>

Reduce the number of animals

Alternative to the culling of one day old male chicks from layer lines
Reduce the number of layers

<figure><img src="image_21.png" /><figcaption>✓ Use of molt cycles</figcaption></figure>

Second and third laying cycles are possible after molting of the layer
→ Need to induce artificial molt with water and feeding privation not allowed in EU

Research is needed to induce moulting while respecting animal welfare
Reduce the number of layers

✓ Increasing persistency of laying hens

<figure><img src="image_22.png" /></figure>

Breeding companies claim that they will have developed the « long life » layer, which will be capable of producing 500 eggs in a production cycle lasting 100 weeks by 2020 (Van Sambeek, 2010)

Bain et al., 2016 estimated « than even 25 more eggs per hen could potentially reduce the UK flock, including breeding hens by 2,5 millions birds per annum. »

75 % of marketable eggs is the beneficial limit

<figure><img src="image_23.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_24.png" /></figure>
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## The specialized chicken lines

<figure><img src="image_25.png" /></figure>
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## A very strong demand on the sector

Citizens are increasingly interested in the issue of animal care and welfare

<figure><img src="image_26.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_27.png" /></figure>

UN ANIMAL
PAS
UN DECHET

<figure><img src="image_28.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_29.png" /></figure>

An animal is
NOT a waste
product

ATTENTION

<figure><img src="image_30.png" /></figure>

Les poussins mâles sont broyés vivants par l'industrie de l'oeuf

Male chicks are crushed alive by the egg industry

Accepteriez-vous de mettre un poussin vivant dans un mixeur ?

Pourtant c'est ce que fait l'industrie pour que vous consommiez des œufs.

<figure><img src="image_31.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_32.png" /></figure>

Would you be willing to put a live chick in a grinder?

However, this is what the industry does to make you eat eggs

INRA

Courtesy of Maxime Quentin
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## Some political decisions

<figure><img src="image_33.png" /></figure>

2020, January 13th at Berlin, Announcement of a bilateral decision between France and Germany banning the slaughter of male chicks from laying lines before the end of 2021
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## An European issue?

<figure><img src="image_34.png" /></figure>

German law prohibits the culling of male chicks as of January 1, 2022. Sexing technique < 6 days from January 1, 2024

Switzerland has banned the crushing of male chicks as of January 1, 2020. Disposal with CO² is tolerated/ 50% of Swiss male chicks are recycled (animal feed, Zoo)

France: Law passed in February 2022.

The Netherlands: committed to stop the elimination of male chicks by the end of 2021.

Spain: committed to stop the elimination of male chicks

<figure><img src="image_35.png" /></figure>

INRAO

The following declared that they would follow the French-German position: Luxembourg, Finland, Cyprus, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Slovakia, Portugal

<figure><img src="image_36.png" /></figure>

ITAVI® 4
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## Dual purpose chickens

<figure><img src="image_37.png" /></figure>

### Layers strain

(340 eggs per year)
Meat is not marketable

<figure><img src="image_38.png" /></figure>

### Broiler strains

(<150 eggs per year)
Non marketable low quality eggs

<figure><img src="image_39.png" /></figure>

Crossbreed

Females are reared for
egg production

<figure><img src="image_40.png" /></figure>

Males are reared for
meat production

<figure><img src="image_41.png" /></figure>

Low meat yield
Different meat texture (consumer education)

Low number of eggs
Quality ?

Unfavorable environmental
impact
# Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

## In ovo sexing, Identify male eggs for removal before hatching

Postulate: male and female embryos "express" chromosomal, anatomical, physiological and molecular differences (**direct indicators/markers**) and some of these molecules may diffuse into the egg structures (**indirect indicators/markers**)

→ **Towards a practical and marketable method**

* ✓ Must be fast (20 000 to 30 000 eggs per hour)

* ✓ Must be cheap

* ✓ Must be precise (98.5 %)

* ✓ Without detrimental consequences on the hatchability and the viability of the chicken

* ✓ Must be done before XXX days of embryonic development to avoid any pain.

→ **A frantic race between states, scientists and industry to offer alternative solutions and hit the jackpot.**

<figure><img src="image_42.png" /></figure>
# How to determine sex in ovo

* Destructives and non destructive methods

* Biological approaches

Hormonal detection

Metabolite marker detection

* Physicochemistry approaches

Dimorphic volatile odors between male and females

* Physical and optical approaches

FTIR spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance imaging

Hyperspectral analysis

* Genetic engineering

Genome editing

<figure><img src="image_43.png" /></figure>
Alternative to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines

<figure><img src="image_44.png" /></figure>

ORBEM, Germany,
Magnetic resonance
imagery, Day 14-15

Source: AAT
# How to determine sex in ovo

SELEGGT – Hormonal testing (http://www.seleggt.com/) (Allemagne)

## THE SELEGGT PROCESS

<figure><img src="image_45.png" /></figure>

The SELEGGT process is a way to prevent chick culling. The scientific approach of endocrinological (hormone-based) gender identification in the hatching egg has been automated in the SELEGGT process and is already in use today.

* Test performed at 9 days of incubation

* Small hole 12 mm in the shell

* Samples used a patented test to measure the level of Estrone sulfate only present in females

<figure><img src="image_46.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_47.png" /></figure>

* Accuracy 97-98%

* Machine already installed in NL and Fr

* Price 1-3 cents per egg, 7 Euros per pullet

* Low throughput of approximately 1 to 3000 eggs/hour
# How to determine sex in ovo

<figure><img src="image_48.png" /></figure>

*In ovo - Biomarker detection (Metabolite in allantoic fluid) (https://inovo.nl/solutions/in-ovo-egg-sexing/) (Netherlands)*

* ✓ H NRM spectroscopy at 9 days of incubation

* ✓ Fast 2 sec/egg

* ✓ machine capability 5 millions of female eggs per year

* ✓ Marketing

* ✓ Low throughput (1500 eggs/hours)

* ✓ Errors about 5%

<figure><img src="image_49.png" /></figure>

ELLA

<figure><img src="image_50.png" /></figure>

...and the holes in the eggs are closed immediately.

<figure><img src="image_51.png" /></figure>
<figure><img src="image_52.png" /></figure>

## How to determine sex in ovo

PLANTegg- Gender sex specific PCR detection (https://www.plantegg.de/en/) (Germany)

* ✓ Méthod based on PCR of ADN present in allanatoic fluid At 9 days of incubation

* ✓ 3600 Eggs/hour

* ✓ error rate 0.5 %

<figure><img src="image_53.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_54.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_55.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_56.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_57.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_58.png" /></figure>

HATCHTECH
PROVIDING SUPERIOR CHICK QUALITY

PLANTON®

<figure><img src="image_59.png" /></figure>
# How to determine sex in ovo

* ✓ Hyperspectral technic
  (feather colour)

* ✓ 20 000 eggs/hour

* ✓ 10 millions eggs per year
  per machine

* ✓ The improvement of image
  analysis requires an
  analysis algorithm that
  learns and must be trained
  to reduce the error rate

<figure><img src="image_60.png" /></figure>

* ✓ Non-invasive method usable at D13

* ✓ Usable ONLY on brown strains

* ✓ Sexing error < 2%.

<figure><img src="image_61.png" /></figure>
# How to determine sex in ovo

*EggXYt – Genetic alteration (https://www.eggxyt.com/) (Israël)*

* ✓ Genome editing

* ✓ Feasable the day of lay

* ✓ Fluorescent detection through the shell

* ✓ Transgenic chickens

* ✓ Accuracy 100 %

* ✓ Price ???

eggXYt

<figure><img src="image_62.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_63.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_64.png" /></figure>

Very interesting because sexing before incubation!, But what is the acceptability of a GMO product?

<figure><img src="image_65.png" /></figure>
# How to determine sex in ovo

## And a brand new method: MRI

<figure><img src="image_66.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_67.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_68.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_69.png" /></figure>

- Magnetic resonance imaging (medical apparatus)

- Non invasive

- Detection of infertile/non-viable

- Gonad detection at D14-15

- All genetics

- Under development

- First prototypes available in 2022 ??

Ovo-sexing cost estimate : 1 to 1,3€/layer
e.g. 0.3 à 0.4€ / 100 eggs
How to determine sex in ovo

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Principle of the method</th><th colspan="2">stage</th><th rowspan="2">Structure</th><th rowspan="2">Technique</th><th rowspan="2">invasiveness / precision / capacity</th><th rowspan="2">Marketing</th></tr><tr><th></th><th>Structure</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Chromosomic</td><td>E9</td><td></td><td>Allantoïc liquid (200-300 µL)</td><td>PCR on cells suspended in allantoic fluid</td><td>Invasive, 97-99% 3000/h</td><td>PLANTegg (Germany) ALDI</td></tr><tr><td>Molecular</td><td>E9</td><td></td><td>Allantoïc liquid</td><td>Determination of Metabolite</td><td>Invasive, 98%, In Ovo: 1500/h</td><td>In ovo (Nederlands): Ella</td></tr><tr><td>Molecular</td><td>E9</td><td></td><td>Allantoïc liquid</td><td>Determination of oestrone sulphate (hormone ♀)</td><td>Invasive, 98%, SELEGGT: 3600/h</td><td>SELEGGT (Germany)</td></tr><tr><td>Physiological /phénotypical</td><td>E13</td><td></td><td>Whole egg/ luminous flash</td><td>hyper-spectral imaging / feather colour</td><td>Non invasive, 95%, 20 000 /h Only brown lines</td><td>Agri Advanced Technologies (Germany): Fermiers de Loué (LDC group, France) CHEGGY</td></tr><tr><td>Physiological /phénotypical</td><td>E14-15</td><td></td><td>Whole egg</td><td>Magnetic resonance imagery</td><td>Non invasive</td><td>ORBEM AI-powered early-stage sexing is still under development and not commercially available.</td></tr><tr><td>Genome editing</td><td>E0</td><td></td><td>Whole egg/ Transillumination</td><td>Imaging by fluorescence of a molecule produced by males after editing</td><td>Non invasive 100 %</td><td>EggXYT (Israël) Not Marketed</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_70.png" /></figure>
Take-home messages

Few alternatives to the culling of male day-old chicks of layer lines:

* Increasing of laying period and use of molt cycles to reduce the number of births chickens for renewal

* Developing dual purpose chickens, but not for a mass market

* Strengthening the development of *in ovo* sexing processes

BUT

* Today whethever method used, no fast and robust method is fully operational

* A race against time: There is still an increased need for research and development before considering the industrial scale

* This change will be really challenging for producers with many technical and economical adaptations

<figure><img src="image_71.png" /></figure>