METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR KILLING POULTRY OR OTHER FOWL

摘要

A method and apparatus for killing chicken or other fowl suspended in a head lowermost position by making a cut or similar opening through the neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull to sever the jugular vein. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced guide means detailed for guiding and orienting the head of the fowl to be killed along a predetermined path and to a predetermined location. The spaced guide means include rotary guiding and orienting members which are provided for advancing the neck of the fowl along the predetermined path and for moving the head to the predetermined location. The rotary guide members are provided with fluid dispensing means for lubrication to permit the neck of the fowl to be moved easily through the guide means. Rotary cutting means is detailed in location relative to the predetermined path and predetermined location to make the cut through the neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain as the bird is advanced along the predetermined path. The depth of the cut in the neck of the bird is detailed to sever the jugular vein without severing the spinal cord, gullet or windpipe and to allow the head to remain attached to the neck portion of the poultry.