How automated feather sexing transformed operational efficiency at Pondex S.A.U.
A case study
22 January 2026
4 minute read
By: 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 plants and four incubation centers nationwide, making it one of the country’s key producers.
Until recently, Pondex relied on manual sexing – a process dependent on highly trained staff and stable teams to ensure accuracy. In practice, this approach proved difficult to sustain, so Pondex turned to automation for greater reliability and consistency.
In 2025, Pondex partnered with US-based AgTech company TARGAN to implement WingScan™, a fully automated and modular sexing system using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) powered imaging technology.
In this case study, Jose Miguel Garcia, Hatchery Director at Pondex, shares how WingScan transformed daily operations and reinforced Pondex’s commitment to innovation.
Facing manual barriers
For Pondex, the limitations of manual sexing had become increasingly difficult to manage. The process was time-intensive and carried significant biosecurity risks due to the hands-on nature of the work. Productivity was hindered by long execution times, while complex training required stable teams to deliver consistent results. Maintaining such teams proved difficult due to Spain’s challenging labor market.
Manual sexing was physically demanding on operators, with fatigue leading to variable performance levels from start to finish. Delays in sorting can extend the holding time for day-old chicks, impacting welfare and early performance. These inconsistencies proved disruptive and created uncertainty in meeting customer requirements.
The automated solution
By minimizing direct handling, Wingscan enhances animal welfare and lowers the risk of disease across operations. This is a critical priority for Pondex, supporting chick welfare and biosecurity.
The technology enhanced traceability and process control, supported by daily and real‑time monitoring, making every stage of production more transparent and reliable.
Reflecting on WingScan’s implementation, Jose Miguel Garcia Sanchez, Hatchery Director at Pondex explains: “The process was spectacular, both in terms of time and results. We have extensive experience in different hatcheries with equipment installations, and what we have achieved with TARGAN is truly remarkable.”
Since its introduction, Pondex has enjoyed consistent, reliable results. A key success has been the way WingScan has transformed daily processes.
Jose adds: “WingScan has granted us agility and strength in responding to the needs of our integrators, while also giving us peace of mind and security that the product we send to farms meets customer requirements.”
The system has enabled Pondex to meet customer expectations and strengthen trust across the supply chain.
Crucially, in Spain’s challenging job market where staffing stability is difficult to guarantee, WingScan provides the assurance of an automated solution that delivers consistent performance and long‑term reliability.
Measurable impact
For Pondex, adopting WingScan was not just about replacing a manual process - it was about being able to seamlessly integrate a solution into hatchery operations which delivers immediate, measurable results.
Within just two months, TARGAN planned and completed the 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 ensured minimal disruption and immediate benefits for Pondex’s daily operations.
From the start, WingScan instilled calm and confidence across the team. The impact on Pondex has resulted in improved chick welfare, lowered disease risks, and operators experienced relief from the physical demands of manual sexing.
Jose referred to the “consistent, linear results” delivered by TARGAN. Since its installation in 2025, the impact of WingScan has been transformative, delivering several key benefits:
Improved efficiency: Automating the sexing process has resulted in significant time savings while delivering more reliable results.
Quality assurance: Automation has delivered consistent, traceable results that meet customer requirements with precision and reliability.
WingScan ensures greater consistency in sexing, improving the overall quality of chicks provided to customers.
Overcome labor challenges: WingScan has helped alleviate the impact of workforce instability in Spain, streamlining operations.
Looking forward
Pondex’s adoption of WingScan illustrates how automation is reshaping the poultry industry. What was once a labor-intensive, high‑risk process has become streamlined, precise, and reliable. The measurable gains in efficiency, welfare, and supply chain confidence have even led the company to extend its implementation of WingScan into its other hatcheries.
As global demand for poultry continues to rise, hatcheries will increasingly rely on intelligent systems that reduce biosecurity risks and provide the agility to adapt quickly to customer needs. By adopting TARGAN’s WingScan system, Pondex has signaled its commitment to meeting rising demands with cutting-edge technology. This partnership points to a future where technology and animal welfare are seamlessly integrated, and where competitiveness is built on confidence, adaptability, and trust.
For more information about WingScan, head to www.TARGAN.com/WingScan
