System and method of determining the health and gender of a chick

Abstract

A first system for determining the relative health of a chick having a first moving platform to support a chick, a first image capture device, a first database having a library of digital images relating to healthy and unhealthy chicks and a computer processor in communication with the image capture device and database. A second system for determining the gender of a chick in eludes a second moving platform, a second image capture device, stimuli directed at the chick to cause the chick to open its wings. The second system also includes a second database having wing patterns of male and female chicks of the breed of the chick on the second moving platform and a second computer processor in communication with the second image capture device and the second database.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining the sex of a chick comprising:
 an angled platform;   an image capture device positioned proximate to the angled platform to capture at least one image of the chick as it passes on the angled platform;   a computer processor in communication with the image capture device, the computer processor capable of processing the at least one image; and   moving means for moving a chick from the angled platform to one of two locations, the moving means in communication with the computer processor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the angled platform is a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein angled platform has a first end and a second end and the chicks enter the angled platform at the first end, the first end being elevated relative to the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the angle of the angled platform relative to the horizon in between 1 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the image capture device is a camera. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the moving means is the angled platform capable of moving from a first angle to a second angle.