AAT and SBA announce Market Launch of Cheggy in-ovo Sexing Technology in Australia

First installation in Asia-Pacific goes live at SBA’s Victoria hatchery – orders for sexed chicks now open; official launch event to take place at PIX Food with Purpose Show in the Gold Coast during May 2026

Victoria Australia – May 2026 – Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT) and Specialised Breeders Australia (SBA) today announced the official launch of the Cheggy in-ovo sex determination system in the Australian market. With the first Cheggy machine now fully installed and operational at SBA’s hatchery in Victoria, Australian Egg Producers can, for the first time, order chicks whose sex has been identified before hatching. The companies will jointly present the technology to the wider industry at the PIX Food with Purpose Show in the Gold Coast, QLD, during May 2026.

Cheggy is the world’s leading non‑invasive in‑ovo sexing solution for brown layer breeds. Using advanced hyperspectral analysis, the system determines the sex of a developing chick at an early stage during development without opening the egg or compromising embryo health. This breakthrough enables hatcheries to plan production more efficiently while supporting emerging welfare, sustainability, and transparency standards across the poultry supply chain.

“We are excited to bring Cheggy to Australia and to support a growing industry focus on animal welfare and resource efficiency,” said Jörg Hurlin, Managing Director of Agri Advanced Technologies. “Cheggy combines high accuracy, speed, and operational reliability, making it an ideal solution for the Australian market as producers look for scalable and economically sustainable approaches to early‑stage chick management.”

With the system now running in Victoria, SBA becomes the first hatchery in Australia to offer commercially available in‑ovo sexed chicks. In addition, the new in-ovo sexing technology in the SBA hatchery was certified by a well-known independent nonprofit organization Humane Farm Animal Care to ensure animal welfare in a traceable and documented manner.

“Introducing Cheggy is an important milestone for SBA and for the national layer industry,” said Eugene Viljoen, Chief Executive Officer of Specialised Breeders Australia. “At SBA, we see ourselves not only as a genetic leader, but also as a driver of biosecurity and animal welfare innovation for the benefit of the Australia layer industry. Being a first mover in the Asia-Pacific region reflects our commitment to shaping the future, and partnering with AAT enable us to bring this proven technology to Australia. SBA can produce in-ovo sexed chicks as an additional product offering available from 01 June 2026. All in-ovo sexed chicks produced by SBA will contain the sought after “Certified Humane” trademark, which is a special certification to have in our industry“.

A Technology Designed for Modern Egg Production

Cheggy delivers high‑speed, high‑volume processing while integrating easily into existing hatchery workflows. As a fully non‑invasive procedure, the technology mitigates contamination risks and ensures the safety of the embryo throughout the measurement and sorting process.

Additional advantages include:

• High throughput of 20,000 eggs per hour – capable of processing large volumes suitable for commercial hatcheries.
• Cost‑efficient operation – no consumables, no single‑use waste, and minimal maintenance requirements.
• Compact footprint – a small spatial requirement for easy integration into hatcheries of varying sizes.
• Improved sustainability – enabling early selection helps the industry address long‑standing challenges related to male chicks in layer production.

The adoption of in‑ovo sexing technologies is expanding globally as markets transition toward higher welfare standards and greater transparency. With installations already operating across Europe, North America, and South America, the Australian launch marks another step in AAT’s international growth strategy.

AAT and SBA will be present at the PIX Food with Purpose Show in the Gold Coast, QLD, in May 2026 to share information about CHEGGY, provide technical insights and respond to questions the attendees might have.

 

About Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT)

Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (AAT), based in Visbek, Germany, specialises in the development of application-specific technologies for poultry breeding and management. These include in-ovo sexing machines, sorting and vaccination systems for broiler production, and egg disinfection solutions. As part of a global network, AAT works closely with stakeholders across the value chain and in research. The company regularly collaborates with external institutions such as universities, research organizations, agricultural associations, producers, and trading companies. AAT is a pioneer and market leader in in-ovo sex determination in Europe, with applications in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. AAT operates three high-capacity Cheggy machines in the USA and is also present since 2025 in Brazil. With the new installation in Australia, AAT is now able to meet customer demand in Asia-Pacific as well.

About Specialised Breeders Australia (SBA)

Specialised Breeders Australia is the largest supplier of day-old chicks and point of lay pullets to the Australian egg industry. SBA supplies the world’s leading layer breeds, Hy-Line and Lohmann to the Australian and various Asia Pacific egg producers. With a commitment to innovation, animal welfare, and operational excellence, SBA partners with suppliers and producers nationwide to deliver reliable, sustainable, and solutions to support the evolving needs of the Australian egg industry.