14 Jan 2026

Accurate Nonviable Egg Removal — One Step Hatcheries Cannot Afford to Miss

Early identification and removal of non-viable eggs is a key step in reducing microbial load, improving chick health, and increasing hatchability.

Tarsicio Villalobos

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Hatchery sanitation is crucial to the health of day-old chicks. One often overlooked but effective process that can make a positive impact is removing clear and early dead eggs during in ovo vaccination and transfer. (Williams CJ, Radford AT, Shepherd LE, Richardson DR. The Effects on Hatchability of Automated Clear Egg Removal Prior to Transfer and In Ovo Vaccination. Technical Review, July 2002).

Rigorous cleaning of the hatchery is essential to ensure the health of newly hatched chicks. An often-overlooked but effective process that can have a positive impact is the removal of clear eggs and eggs with early embryonic death during in ovo vaccination and transfer. This process helps reduce the microbial load and minimize exposure to pathogens, which promotes healthier and more robust development of chicks from their first hours of life.

By removing clear eggs and those with early embryonic mortality, environmental conditions are improved for viable embryonated eggs remaining in the hatcher trays, which may lead to improved hatching rates and reduced seven-day mortality, resulting in better chick quality. This practice also reduces egg waste in the trays, speeding up workflow and simplifying cleaning tasks.

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REMOVE NON-VIABLE EGGS?

Non-viable eggs pose a significant risk of contamination to developing chicks if left in the hatcher. As they decompose, they release organic matter that encourages the growth of bacteria and mold. This exposure increases the likelihood of chicks contracting diseases, such as navel infections, compromising their health and survival.(Van Immerseel, F. et al. (2004) ‘Intermittent Long-Term Shedding and Induction of Carrier Birds after Infection of Chickens Early Posthatch with a Low or High Dose of Salmonella Enteritidis’ Poultry Science (83) pages 1911–1916)

Air quality in hatcheries can be compromised by the presence of pathogens such as the fungus Aspergillus, which poses a threat to the health and performance of chicks. Timely removal of clear eggs and those with early embryonic death helps reduce the microbial load in the environment, promoting the production of healthier, stronger, and more viable chicks. (Williams CJ, Radford AT, Shepherd LE, Richardson DR. The Effects on Hatchability of Automated Clear Egg Removal Prior to Transfer and In Ovo Vaccination. Technical Review, July 2002)

In a hatchery study, the prevalence of moldy eggs decreased significantly in the group processed with the Embrex^® Egg Remover compared to eggs transferred without removing clear eggs and eggs with early embryonic mortality. Data on file, Study Report No. 02-02-1300, Zoetis Inc.

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TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFICIENCY

Automated systems such as the Embrex Egg Remover, combined with in ovo vaccination and/or automated egg transfer, offer an effective solution. This technology is designed to accurately identify and remove clear eggs and eggs with early embryonic mortality, helping to reduce the risk of contamination and improve chick quality¹.

Embrex Accusight^® ovoscopy technology, a component of Zoetis’ Inovoject^® NXT system, identifies clear eggs and eggs with early embryonic mortality with an accuracy of over 99%. These non-viable eggs represent approximately 97% of the eggs removed during the transfer process3. Viable embryos are also gently transferred using Haylo^® technology, enabling a hygienic and efficient process.

HIGHER HATCHING RATE AND VIABILITY

Field studies have demonstrated the benefits of removing nonviable eggs during the incubation process. On average, an increase in hatchability of up to 3% was observed, most notably in breeder flocks over 60 weeks of age. Furthermore, seven-day mortality was reduced by 0.29% in flocks that used the Embrex Egg Remover device compared to those that did not. (Figure 1)¹.

REDUCING THE RISK OF DISEASES

Reducing exposure to pathogenic microorganisms can significantly reduce the risk of infections in chicks, which can cause inflammation, fever, or lethargy, negatively affecting their early development. Since chicks must gain four to five times their body weight during the first seven days of life, minimizing these risks is critical to ensuring optimal growth and good performance when housed on the farm.

SUPPORT TO OPTIMIZE PROCESSES AND RESULTS

Implementing innovative technologies, such as automated non-viable egg removal, requires specialized technical support. Zoetis offers a comprehensive service that includes microbial risk assessments, operational audits, training programs, and preventative maintenance, aimed at helping hatcheries optimize their processes and maintain consistent results.

Early identification and removal of non-viable eggs is a key step in reducing microbial load, improving chick health, and increasing hatchability. Zoetis’ reliable technology helps ensure operational precision and contributes to hatchery success through comprehensive, personalized technical support.

To learn more about the benefits of non-viable egg removal and the reliable technology that can help you, contact your Zoetis representative.

Accurately identifying and removing clear eggs and eggs with early embryonic death, while preserving viable embryos, can help improve hatchability, reduce seven-day mortality, and increase overall habitability².

References

¹ Williams CJ, Radford AT, Shepherd LE, Richardson DR. The Effects on Hatchability of Automated Clear Egg Removal Prior to Transfer and In Ovo Vaccination. Technical Review, July 2002
² Data on file, Study Report No. 02-02-1300, Zoetis Inc.
³ Data on file, Study Report No. 1-20-70R7D, Zoetis Inc.

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