How automated feather sexing transformed operational efficiency at Pondex S.A.U.

In poultry production, efficiency and resilience are critical. In this fiercely competitive landscape producers must meet rising global demand while navigating biosecurity risks, operational inconsistencies and labor shortages. Stakeholders throughout the value chain, from integrated operations to independent producers, are increasingly on the lookout for solutions that can improve productivity and reduce risk.

Automated sexing is being realized as a practical advance – streamlining hatchery operations and extending advantages across the supply chain. By enabling fast, accurate separation of male and female birds, hatcheries boost efficiency, minimize chick handling, address labor challenges, and deliver greater reliability for logistics partners and customers.

On farm, sex‑separate rearing and tailored feeding strategies reduce aggressive behavior, improve welfare, and drive feed efficiency, resulting in more uniform growth and predictable production outcomes.

At processing, consistent bird size enables better optimization of automated systems and improved yield.

Pondex S.A.U.

Pondex S.A.U., a subsidiary of Spain’s Vall Companys Group, operates across the broiler production supply chain. Vall Companys Group manages more than 900 poultry farms, 10 meat processing plants, and four incubation centers nationwide, positioning it as one of the country’s leading producers.

Until recently, Pondex relied on manual sexing — a process dependent on highly trained personnel and stable teams to ensure accuracy. In practice, this model proved difficult to sustain. To achieve greater reliability and operational consistency, Pondex transitioned to automation.

In 2025, Pondex partnered with US-based AgTech company TARGAN to implement WingScan™, a fully automated, modular chick sexing system powered by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) imaging technology.

In this case study, José Miguel García, Hatchery Director at Pondex, shares how WingScan transformed daily operations and reinforced the company’s commitment to innovation.

Overcoming the Limitations of Manual Sexing

For Pondex, the constraints of manual sexing had become increasingly difficult to manage. The process was time-intensive and carried significant biosecurity risks due to its hands-on nature. Productivity was limited by lengthy execution times, while complex training requirements demanded stable, experienced teams to maintain consistent performance. Maintaining such stability proved challenging in Spain’s competitive labor market.

Manual sexing also placed considerable physical strain on operators. Fatigue frequently led to performance variability throughout the workday. Delays in sorting extended the holding time of day-old chicks, potentially affecting welfare and early-stage performance. These inconsistencies disrupted operations and introduced uncertainty in meeting customer expectations.

The Automated Solution

By minimizing direct handling, WingScan enhances animal welfare and reduces disease risk across operations — a critical priority for Pondex in supporting chick welfare and strengthening biosecurity.

The technology also improves traceability and process control through daily and real-time monitoring, increasing transparency and operational reliability at every production stage.

Reflecting on the implementation, José Miguel García Sánchez explains:

“The process was spectacular, both in terms of time and results. We have extensive experience with equipment installations in different hatcheries, and what we have achieved with TARGAN is truly remarkable.”

Since implementation, Pondex has achieved consistent, reliable performance. One of the most significant outcomes has been the transformation of daily workflows.

José adds:

“WingScan has given us agility and strength in responding to the needs of our integrators, while also providing peace of mind and confidence that the product we deliver to farms meets customer requirements.”

The system has enabled Pondex to meet market expectations while strengthening trust throughout the supply chain.

Importantly, in Spain’s challenging labor environment — where workforce stability is difficult to guarantee — WingScan provides the assurance of an automated solution capable of delivering consistent performance and long-term reliability.

Measurable Impact

For Pondex, adopting WingScan was not simply about replacing a manual process. It was about seamlessly integrating a solution into hatchery operations that delivers immediate, measurable results.

Within just two months, TARGAN planned and completed installation in a single 24-hour window. At Pondex’s broiler hatchery — where eggs arrive from farms and hatch after 21 days — this rapid deployment minimized operational disruption and generated immediate value.

From the outset, WingScan instilled confidence and operational stability across the team. The system improved chick welfare, reduced disease risks, and relieved operators from the physical demands associated with manual sexing.

José referred to the “consistent, linear results” delivered by TARGAN. Since installation in 2025, WingScan has delivered several key benefits:

• Improved efficiency: Significant time savings and more reliable operational output.

• Quality assurance: Consistent, traceable results that meet customer specifications with precision and reliability.

• Greater consistency: Enhanced sexing accuracy, improving the overall quality of chicks delivered to farms.

• Labor stability: Reduced impact of workforce instability in Spain through streamlined automation.

Looking Ahead

Pondex’s adoption of WingScan demonstrates how automation is reshaping the poultry industry. What was once a labor-intensive, high-risk process has become streamlined, precise, and dependable. Measurable improvements in efficiency, welfare, and supply chain confidence have led the company to expand WingScan implementation across additional hatcheries.

As global poultry demand continues to rise, hatcheries will increasingly rely on intelligent systems that reduce biosecurity risk while providing the agility required to respond to evolving customer needs.

By implementing TARGAN’s WingScan system, Pondex has reinforced its commitment to technological advancement and operational excellence. This partnership signals a future where automation and animal welfare operate in alignment — and where competitiveness is built on consistency, adaptability, and trust.

About TARGAN 

TARGAN is an innovative animal AgTech systems company focused on transforming animal protein production industries worldwide. Founded in 2015 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, the company's mission is to provide affordable, individualized technologies that will improve speed, accuracy and animal welfare. For more information, visit TARGAN.com

TARGAN is a registered trademark of TARGAN in the United States and other countries. 

Media Contacts:                                                     

Charlotte Baker
+44 (0)20 8647 4467
charlotte.baker@garnettkeeler.com

Carlos Bautista
Carlos.bautista@targan.com