Abstract: In a method and device for carrying out at least one processing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs, the bird is conveyed on a hook of a conveyor towards and into the processing area of a processing device in order for the at least one processing operation to be carried out on the bird. The bird is positioned in the processing area of the processing device by externally supporting the bird at at least two locations, which are selected from the group of locations which comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, the wings and the sides of the bird. Then, the at least one processing operation is carried out in the processing device in the area of the breast of the bird. The bird may also be positioned in the processing area of the processing device by internally supporting the bird on the side of the sternum facing the abdominal cavity of the bird.

Abstract: Method and device for mechanical removal of the viscera package from the belly cavity of slaughtered poultry hanging by the legs from hooks which are moved in a conveyor along a drawing device. For removal of the viscera package, the body of the poultry is tilted from the hanging, vertical position through a predetermined angle about an axis parallel to a line through the hip joints to a second position, in which the shoulder joints are situated at essentially the same height as or higher up than the hip joints. The latter body position thereafter remains retained during the veterinary inspection of the poultry or the carrying out of further operations on the viscera package and/or the carcass.

Abstract: A device for removing one or more organs or parts thereof from a slaughtered animal, in particular a bird, comprising: an organ guide device with an open organ feed end to be inserted temporarily into the slaughtered animal; an organ conveyance device for removing organs or parts thereof along the organ guide device; a separating device which is fitted near the organ feed end or along the organ guide device for making a separation in organs or connecting tissue between them at a predetermined place; and a device for establishing the position of the organs relative to the separating device. The device for establishing the position of organs may be fitted at the open organ feed end of the organ guide device and may comprise an organ feed aperture with such dimensions that first organs can pass said aperture and second organs connected to the first organs cannot pass said aperture.