Egg Characteristic Determining Device

An automated egg determining system, comprising:

• a. a conveyor system configured to transport one or more eggs to a sampling system;
• b. a sampling system configured to extract a sample from one or more eggs, the sampling system comprising a candling unit comprising one or more light sources and one or more detectors, wherein each of the at least one detector is positioned relative to the light source such that the detector can detect an image of the egg via light originating from the light source,
• c. a sample transfer system configured to receive the sample for transfer to an assaying system;
• and
• d. an assaying system configured to receive the sample from the sample transfer system and to determine one or more characteristics of one or more eggs or the sample or an aliquot of a sample thereof.