Methods and apparatus are provided that automatically determine whether or not eggs designated for removal from an egg carrier have been removed by an egg removal apparatus. Light is emitted along a light path above and across an egg carrier as an egg picker moves to pick up an egg. The length of time that the light path is blocked when the egg picker is moved is measured and used to determine whether or not the egg has been removed from the egg carrier. Another apparatus and method is provided for detecting a malfunctioning egg picker. A detection device detects a number of eggs in the egg carrier. A control device monitors the egg picker and the detection device. The control device calculates the number of eggs in the egg carrier for determining when the number of eggs varies a predetermined amount from an egg count number for the egg carrier.提供自動判定是否指定從蛋載器移除之蛋已藉移蛋設備移除之方法及設備。當揀蛋器移動以揀起蛋時,沿在蛋載器上方而越過該蛋載器之光路發光。測量當揀蛋器被移動時,光路被遮擋的時間長度,並使用其來判定蛋是否已從蛋載器移除。提供用以偵測故障揀蛋器之其他設備及方法。偵測裝置偵測蛋載器中的一些蛋。控制裝置監視揀蛋器及偵測裝置。控制裝置計算蛋載器中蛋數,以判定何時蛋數與蛋載器之蛋計數相差預定數目。12‧‧‧蛋14‧‧‧蛋載器100‧‧‧移蛋設備116‧‧‧揀蛋器117‧‧‧可撓杯120‧‧‧光源122‧‧‧光偵測器124‧‧‧光路
