Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing increased protein chicken meal. Product is loaded into a cooking vat that is 40 feet long by 5 feet wide by 4 feet deep, with a system of moving chain conveyors and paddles. These conveyors move the product at a predetermined speed through oil maintained at a temperature of approximately 360.degree. to 380.degree. F. for the entire length of the vessel, and dumps the product at the opposite end of entry. Oil is circulated through the vat at a rate of approximately 680 to 860 gallons per minute (gpm) to allow for the rapid removal of fat and moisture from skin and meat in a continuous process. The volume of oil in the cooking vat is approximately 4,500 gallons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing increased protein chicken meal. Scrap chicken parts are loaded into a cooking vat that is 40 feet long by 5 feet wide by 4 feet deep, with a system of moving chain conveyors and paddles. These conveyors move the scrap chicken parts at a predetermined speed through oil maintained at a temperature of approximately 360.degree. to 380.degree. F. for the entire length of the vessel, and dump the scrap chicken parts at the opposite end of entry. Oil is circulated through the vat at a rate of approximately 680 to 860 gallons per minute (gpm) to allow for the rapid removal of fat and moisture from skin and meat in a continuous process. The scrap chicken parts are removed from the vat and pressed to form poultry oil. Subsequently, the scrap chicken parts are broken up to form a high protein chicken meal.

Abstract: A single natural butterfly boneless breast of chicken interconnected by an intermediary portion or central spine is conveyed towards two horizontally oriented saw blades which cut across through approximately 80-95%, preferably 85-90% and most preferably 90% of the width of the single natural butterfly boneless breast to leave an intermediary portion or central spine of width of 5-20% of the single natural butterfly boneless breast at a central portion of the single natural butterfly boneless breast. A single saw blade located downstream from the two horizontally aligned saw blades is aligned perpendicular to the two horizontally aligned saw blades so as to form a longitudinal cut down through the centrally located intermediary portion or spine of the single natural butterfly boneless breast so as to separate the single natural breast into two portions.