Abstract: A revolving apparatus for automatically transversely cutting open fowl hanging by the ankle joints from an overhead conveyor, having a stationary cutting knife and a number of stretching members regularly spaced about the circumference of the apparatus. The stretching members work in succession as they revolve about the central shaft of the apparatus moving along with the conveyor. Each stretching member is vertically movable down towards a fowl carried by the conveyor and away again from the fowl. During the downward movement of a stretching member the same is inserted into an opening in the fowl previously made by cutting out its vent, whereafter the stretching member is moved radially outwardly to stretch the abdominal skin of the fowl from the inside radially outwardly towards the stationary knife which cuts the skin as the fowl passes the knife.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus for separating the neck of a headless fowl hanging by the ankle joints from a hook of an overhead conveyor, the apparatus having a fork-shaped clamping member for receiving the neck of the fowl and co-operating with a pivoting pressure arm adapted to be moved into the fork opening of the clamping member to pinch off the fowl'neck. A further fork member is provided above the clamping member and adapted to support the fowl by its shoulders.