AAT and Vital Farms work together to Advance Animal Welfare: Cheggy Technology sets a New Standard for Egg Production in the U.S.
Austin (Texas)/Visbek, 3rd Dec 2025. Starting in early 2026, Vital Farms (Nasdaq: VITL), the leading U.S. producer of pasture-raised eggs, in collaboration with their primary hatchery supplier, Hy-Line North America, will adopt the innovative in-ovo sexing technology “Cheggy” developed by the German company Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (AAT). With this move, the publicly traded company joins a growing group of international egg producers utilizing AAT’s Cheggy technology to implement a more humane and sustainable alternative to male chick culling.
The Cheggy technology enables non-invasive sex identification of chicks while still in the egg during incubation. Using hyperspectral imaging, the system detects subtle differences in feather coloration within milliseconds and reliably identifies male and female embryos – fully automated, contact-free, and without cracking the shell.
“With Cheggy, we are setting new benchmarks for modern, humane, and efficient egg production,” says Jörg Hurlin, Managing Director of AAT. “We are delighted that Vital Farms, another major industry player, has chosen to adopt our technology.”
AAT is strengthening its presence in North America and is currently shipping another Cheggy machine to the U.S., which will be commissioned before the end of the year. This expansion will increase the company’s production capacity to meet rising market demand in North America and ensure reliable supply of cutting-edge in-ovo sexing technology to the region.
Vital Farms works with a steadily expanding network of more than 575 farms and over 10 million hens. In collaboration with its primary hatchery supplier, Hy-Line North America, 90% of new birds in their network will be hatched after in-ovo sexing next year. The first such hens will arrive on their farms in the second half of 2026, with eggs from these flocks expected to reach store shelves later that year.
“We were impressed by the precision, speed, and user-friendliness of the Cheggy system,” said Peter Pappas, Vital Farms Chief Sales Officer and President of Eggs. “During our visit to AAT in Europe, we saw firsthand how this technology contributes to a more humane and sustainable egg production process.”
Jörg Hurlin, Managing Director of AAT, adds:
“The fact that a leading U.S. company like Vital Farms is adopting our technology sends a strong message to the entire industry. Together, we are driving an ethically responsible future for egg production – in Europe, North America, and beyond.”
About Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (AAT)
Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (AAT), headquartered in Visbek, Germany, develops specialized application technologies for poultry breeding and production. Its portfolio includes systems for in-ovo sexing, sorting and vaccination equipment for broiler production, and technical solutions for egg disinfection.
As part of a global network, AAT collaborates closely with partners across the value chain, as well as with research institutions, universities, and agricultural organizations. The company is recognized as a pioneer and market leader in in-ovo sex determination in Europe, with installations operating in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Since 2025, AAT has also been active in Brazil and is currently expanding its production capacity in North America to meet the growing demand for innovative and animal-friendly technologies. Through this international presence, AAT continues to strengthen its role as a driving force for technological innovation and animal welfare in the global poultry industry.
About Vital Farms
Vital Farms (Nasdaq: VITL) is a Certified B Corporation that offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide. Started on a single farm in Austin, Texas, in 2007, Vital Farms is now a national consumer brand that works with 575 small farms and is the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs by retail dollar sales. Vital Farms’ ethics are exemplified by its focus on the humane treatment of farm animals and sustainable farming practices. In addition, as a Delaware public benefit corporation, Vital Farms prioritizes the long-term benefits of each of its stakeholders, including farmers and suppliers, customers and consumers, communities and the environment, and crew members and stockholders. Vital Farms’ products, including shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs, are sold in more than 23,500 stores nationwide. Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs can also be found on menus at hundreds of foodservice operators across the country. For more information, visit https://vitalfarms.com/.
You can find further information at https://www.cheggy.com/.
