Grimaud Frères, that has already demonstrated its ability and determination to innovate for animal welfare, announces the launch of its in-ovo sexing technology named LunixTM, a world first for the duck industry! This major innovation guarantees the welfare of the ducks by hatching the exact quantities of males and females required by the market.
Grimaud Frères is introducing its LunixTM in-ovo sexing technology to the market. Initially, this technology has been developed for Mule ducks based on the societal commitment from the fat liver industry in France to stop destroying at birth any saleable bird born for its industry. Based on this commitment, Grimaud Freres developed his own in-ovo sexing technology. The LunixTM treatment is supplied on the market from July 2024. The first in-ovo sexed ducklings to be delivered in the world!
HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS?
This innovative technology allows to identify the sex of future ducklings, at an embryonic stage and without intrusion into the egg. The process is based on recognition of the colour of the embryo’s eyes: dark eyes for males and light eyes for females. By determining the eye colour and therefore the sex of the embryo at 9 days of incubation, it is possible to add value to 100% of the ducklings born. Research and development work on this solution started in 2015, using cameras equipped with artificial intelligence combined with spectrometry. In 2020, the industrial development phase was launched, followed by constant optimization of settings to obtain the highest-performance technology. Lunix offers a sexing reliability of 95% at a rate of 20,000 sexed eggs per hour!
BEAK AND CLAW TREATMENT
In addition to this in-ovo sexing innovation, Grimaud Frères has been offering beak and claw treatment done at hatcheries for several years! A complete range of services focused on animal welfare, reducing farm interventions, and addressing three main challenges: animal welfare, biosecurity, and lack of manpower. Nearly 95% of the ducklings leaving Grimaud Frères hatcheries have their beaks treated by laser, so there is no pain, and no need to carry out debeaking on the farm. Yann Le Pottier, Director of Grimaud Frères, explains that the claw treatment solution, implemented since 2018, now concerns half of their commercial ducklings and continues to grow.
