Abstract:
Animals such as poultry are stunned while still caged and on a vehicle or stationary platform prior to processing the animal by isolating the atmosphere surrounding the animal, adjusting the composition of the isolated atmosphere by introducing a gaseous mixture that brings the animal to the desired state, and evacuating or exhausting the gaseous mixture.
Abstract:
A plier type of device can quickly and humanely kills wounded fowl. The device may be applied to either side of the temple of the fowl and a quick squeeze may crush the temple and quickly kill the wounded fowl. The device may include a handle end that may be squeezed together to cause a head gripper end to close. The head gripper end may include points, typically cone shaped, that may be pointed toward each other and may approach each other as the head gripper end closes.
Abstract:
System and method for controlled atmosphere stunning of chickens in a batch mode is provided. The disclosed method includes the steps of: loading one or more batches of chickens in a stunning chamber and sealably enclosing the stunning chamber to isolate the atmosphere therein. Carbon dioxide is then introduced to the isolated atmosphere in a series of three, four or five phases to humanely stun the chickens. The carbon dioxide containing atmosphere is subsequently forcibly exhausted from the stunning chamber and the ranks of cages or modules containing the stunned chickens are advanced to the tipper or dumping station.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for stunning and separating poultry during the stunning process. The apparatus includes a multi-zone trough having a plurality of basins and a separator adapted to separate shackled poultry hung from a conveyor system into a respective one of the plurality of basins. Each of the plurality of basins is separated by a divider. Once separated, the divider maintains the poultry in a separated condition during a stunning process.
Abstract:
The present disclosure generally relates to a method for humanely stunning and slaughtering poultry, and more particularly to a method for stunning and slaughtering poultry using a low atmospheric pressure system. In particular, the birds are placed into a sealed chamber and the pressure in the chamber is reduced at a continuous rate to a target decompression pressure and maintained at the decompression pressure for a period of time until a state of death is obtained. The low atmospheric pressure slaughter is more humane than traditional slaughter techniques and results in excellent meat quality.
Abstract:
A system for stunning poultry located in cages in which the system utilizing an automated control system and a series of stunning apparatuses for progressively increasing exposure of the poultry to a subduing gas. The system is adjustable to allow for varying concentrations of the subduing gas, as well as adjusting the time for which the poultry is exposed to the subduing gas. In addition, the conveyor system includes methods for maintaining the poultry in a calm state prior to dispatch.
Abstract:
In a method and device for opening a blood vessel in the neck of a pre-positioned slaughter animal, a blood vessel is opened as a result of at least one cutting device being moved into the neck from one side of the neck towards the opposite side of the neck, the blood vessel being located in the path of the cutting device. The cutting device is an elongate blade which is moved in its longitudinal direction and is provided with a sharp, inclined front side. Before the blood vessel is opened, the distance between the trachea and the blood vessel is increased in an area of the opening.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for unloading poultry as disclosed. A chute (35) is placed proximate the door of a coop. The door is opened and the poultry are urged out of the coop onto the chute (35). The poultry then slide down the chute (35) onto a conveyor (11), (15) which ultimately transfers the poultry to a gas stun vessel (25). The poultry are then transferred to a shackle line where they are shackled, without a full lift, and then proceed to an electrical stun (72) and killer (73). The gas stun vessel (25) includes a static mixer (53) for effectively mixing the CO.sub.2 and air before delivery to the gas stun vessel (25).
Abstract:
The present invention provides a saline solution containing elongated trough which is mounted at the end portions of four non-electrically conducting posts. The trough has an ingress funnel arrangement designed to restrict the thrashing of to-be-electrically stunned birds and an elongated grid having a portion immersed in the solution and a downstream portion out of the solution. The four posts extend upwardly and terminate in threaded portions. A frame carriage is provided which has four corners and at the four corners are suitably mounted driven gears with internal bores and threads adapted to engagingly rotate about the threaded portions of the posts. The carriage is suitably affixed to a conventional I-beam to which is movingly mounted a conventional endless cable and spaced shackle system for conveying upside down birds. The four mounted gears are driven rotatably in unison by a chain drive whereby the trough may be selectively moved upwardly or downwardly to vary the distance between the I-beam and the trough. A continuing extension trough is located and positioned at the end of the trough which has a relatively smooth bottom through which an additional and different pulsating electrical current can be applied to the head of the bird.