Abstract: Fowl picking apparatus provided with at least two rows of picking elements on both sides of the path of the fowl which carry picking discs with rotation axes displaced with respect to each other in the respective rows, such that during operation the circles described by the ends of the picking fingers at least touch each other, preventing fowl portions in getting behind the picking elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the cervical vertebrae from the skin of the neck of slaughtered fowls comprises a frame movable along the track of the fowls, and bears a fixed first clamping unit and a second clamping unit pivoting around a horizontal shaft and connected with a control unit such, that in a movement of the frame along the track the clamping units move toward each other, enclose the neck of the fowl, and are then jointly moved downwardly.

Abstract: A picking element for a poultry picking apparatus comprises a beaker-shaped support whose casing surface carrying picking fingers is a truncated conical surface and whose end face is situated substantially transversely to the axis of rotation, there being located between the casing surface and the end face a number of transition surface areas which are situated at a more acute angle to the center line of the casing surface than the end face and which each carry at least one picking finger, the end face carrying a number of picking fingers substantially parallel to the center line.

Abstract: Device for making a cut in a slaughtered bird, starting from the vent and directed toward the breast, comprising a first knife for making a round cut around the vent of a bird and a second knife movable sideways and away from the first knife to avoid the intestines of the bird while making a cut from the vent to the breast bone of the bird the knife being rotatably disposed in a holder, which is pivotally connected to a connecting rod and coupled to driving means adapted to carrying out a backward and forward swinging movement.

Abstract: A method of mechanically packing a slaughtered bird, including poultry, comprising opening an inlet of an envelope resting on a support, pushing a bird resting with stretched legs on a support into the envelope by exercising a force on the body of the bird, then pressing the legs upwardly to locate the legs in a folded position on both sides of the body and thereafter sealing the envelope.