Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and processing of ratites, including but not limited to, ostrich and emu, which are generally very large, heavy, and hostile animals, on a mass scale while preserving the quality of body parts during removal. The method envisions transporting the ratites from station to station within a facility via a rail system and cradle. The cradle is provided for holding the ratite during the processing of body parts and for permitting movement of the ratite through the various stations. The processing methodology of the preferred embodiment comprises the following steps. First, each ratite is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge to the ratite body. The ratites are hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ratites are then killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head of each ratite is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, each ratite is de-feathered and skinned so that the hide is not damaged during removal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and processing of ratites, including but not limited to, ostrich and emu, which are generally very large, heavy, and hostile animals, on a mass scale while preserving the quality of body parts during removal. The method envisions transporting the ratites from station to station within a facility via a rail system. First, each ratite is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge to the ratite body. The ratites are hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ratites are then killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head of each ratite is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, each ratite is de-feathered and skinned so that the hide is not damaged during removal. Specifically, the hide and muscle tissue of each ratite are separated by injecting air into the ratite at various locations. This loosens the feathers and hide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and efficient processing of ratites, for example, ostrich and emu, which are generally large, heavy, and hostile animals. The method envisions transporting ratites from station to station in succession within a facility via a rail system in order to process them on a mass scale. Initially, each ratite is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge. The ratites are then hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ratites are killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head of each ratite is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, the ratites are de-feathered and skinned. The viscera of each ratite is removed. The gizzard, heart, and liver are extracted for further processing. Finally, the edible meat products are removed from each ratite and are processed for human use.

Abstract: A turntable means regulates the flow of animals, for example, ratites (includes ostrich and emu) through a slaughtering facility. The turntable means has a circular turntable rotating about an axis within a circular perimeter wall. The perimeter wall has a first opening leading to a holding area and a second opening leading to a stunning area. The turntable has a plurality of upstanding walls extending radially from the axis and forming confinement sectors for receiving the animals. The turntable means moves the animals from the first area to the second area by moving the animals about the axis while on the turntable via the confinement sectors from the first opening to the second opening. The rotation of the turntable is controlled in order to regulate the flow of the animals from the first area to the second area.