Transforming Broiler Sexing: The Impact of Targan’s WingScan Solution
On February 26, 2025, Vincent Fevrier, the Commercial Lead for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Targan, was interviewed by Sarah Mikesell from The Poultry Site during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia. Their discussion centered around the revolutionary WingScan technology that promises to redefine broiler sexing in the poultry industry.
Introducing WingScan: A Breakthrough in Automation
WingScan is an innovative automatic sexing machine that utilizes advanced imaging technology to analyze feather patterns in chicks, distinguishing between males and females with remarkable precision. Positioned strategically in the chick processing room, immediately after the chicks are removed from their hatching environment, the machine captures images that serve as the basis for sex differentiation. This automated process marks a significant departure from traditional methods, enabling poultry producers to enhance their operational efficiency.
Understanding Feather Patterns: The Science Behind Sexing
The differentiation of male and female chicks is largely attributed to their distinct feather patterns. Female chicks exhibit a slower feathering rate compared to their male counterparts, a difference that becomes apparent shortly after hatching. The WingScan technology capitalizes on this biological variance, employing high-resolution imaging to accurately identify the sex of the chicks as they pass through the processing line.
Accuracy and Reliability of WingScan
One of the standout features of WingScan is its impressive accuracy rate. Depending on the flock, the system can achieve up to 99% accuracy, with an average reliability of 97%. This variation in accuracy is influenced by factors such as the age of the chicks and their physical condition at the time of sexing. For instance, younger chicks tend to be smaller and more challenging to assess, while wet chicks post-hatch may also present difficulties. Nonetheless, the technology consistently delivers exceptional results, positioning WingScan as a leading solution in the poultry market.
Market Reception: WingScan’s Introduction in the EU
WingScan made its debut in the European market at EuroTier, where it garnered significant interest from poultry producers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Countries such as Italy, Spain, and France, where sexing is already a common practice, expressed keen interest in implementing this advanced system. For producers in regions where sexing is not yet standard, the technology represents a potential breakthrough that could revolutionize their operations.
Key Benefits of WingScan for Producers
The primary advantage of implementing WingScan lies in its ability to maximize yield per bird. By accurately sexing chicks, producers can optimize their growth strategies—growing males for weight and leveraging the homogeneity of females for more consistent production outputs. This results in improved feed conversion ratios (FCR) and ultimately higher yields at slaughter plants.
Global Implementation: Tracking Success
As of now, Targan’s WingScan has been employed to sex over half a billion birds worldwide, providing invaluable insights and experience for continuous improvement. The machine is powered by artificial intelligence, meaning that its learning capabilities enhance with each chick processed. This data-driven approach allows Targan to refine the technology continually, ensuring optimal performance and accuracy.
In Europe, significant contracts have already been secured with major poultry producers in Italy, Spain, and France. Moreover, Targan is set to install its first WingScan machine in Poland before the summer, further expanding its footprint in the European market.
Regional Differences: Customer Preferences in Europe vs. North America
While the benefits of sexing birds remain consistent globally, regional preferences and practices differ. In North America, where the poultry industry is more advanced in terms of heavy bird production, the advantages of separating males and females are evident. Males typically reach weights of up to 4 kilograms, while females average between 2 to 2.5 kilograms.
Conversely, Europe has historically not emphasized sex differentiation on farms, with many producers opting for a more uniform weight across the flock. However, as the market evolves, the advantages of sexing are becoming increasingly recognized in Europe, particularly in countries like France, where heavier birds are in demand.
Key Takeaways from the WingScan Experience
The introduction of WingScan represents a significant technological advancement in the poultry industry. Historically, sexing chicks was a labor-intensive process that required a considerable workforce, often ranging from 20 to 30 individuals. Finding skilled workers for hatchery operations has posed a challenge, making automation essential.
By integrating WingScan technology, Targan is not only facilitating a shift toward automation but also opening new markets and opportunities for poultry producers. As the industry strives for efficiency and profitability, the benefits of maximizing yield from each bird become increasingly critical. The WingScan solution is poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation, enabling producers to adapt to evolving market demands while enhancing their operational capabilities.
In conclusion, Targan’s WingScan technology represents a landmark innovation in broiler sexing, offering poultry producers a powerful tool to enhance efficiency, maximize yield, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry landscape.
