Abstract: A plurality of wires (16a-16h) are each connected at one one to an oscillating ring 14, with the other ends of the wires connected to springs 18a-18h. When the ring 14 is rotated in one direction, the wires move closer to the longitudinal axis (28) of the ring. The bone of a poultry thigh is grasped by a grasping member (48) and is pulled through the polygon shape formed by the wires. The wires tend to wrap around the poultry bone (54), and as the bone is pulled between the wires, the wires strip the meat from the bone (FIGS. 7-12).

Abstract: Eviscerated poultry is conveyed upon a shackle through a refrigerated space in a compact configuration for a time sufficient to chill birds so as to cause them to self-retain the compact configuration when delivered to a bird packaging station for packing in the same configuration. The shackle itself has a basket pivotably mounted to a lower portion of a hanger bar and a canopy mounted to an upper portion of the bar.

Abstract: Eviscerated poultry is conveyed upon a shackle through a refrigerated space in a compact configuration for a time sufficient to chill birds so as to cause them to self-retain the compact configuration when delivered to a bird packaging station for packing in the same configuration. The shackle itself has a basket pivotably mounted to a lower portion of a hanger bar and a canopy mounted to an upper portion of the bar.

Abstract: A plurality of bird openers (36) are positioned in a circular array about a revolving carrousel framework (22) which is rotated by engagement with a moving overhead conveyor system. Each bird opener is moved vertically by a cam arrangement (35) as the carrousel framework rotates. Birds suspended from the conveyor are positioned adjacent each bird opener, with the bird opener protruding between the legs of its bird, and each bird opener is lowered down into engagement with its bird, so that a cutting element (75) enters the body cavity of the bird and cleats (54) engage the body of the bird about the opening of the body cavity to hold the bird in a stationary attitude upon further movement with the carrousel. The cutting element is thrust in an upwardly directed arc (100) away from the center axis of the carrousel framework so as to cut through the body portion of the bird and to enlarge the vent opening of the bird while the bird is held in position by the cleats.