Abstract: Poultry processing methods and systems are disclosed that provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one individual poultry at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the poultry through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the poultry themselves or they may be associated with the poultry carriers.

Abstract: Poultry processing methods and systems are disclosed that provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one individual poultry at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the poultry through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the poultry themselves or they may be associated with the poultry carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating the beaks of poultry to prevent further growth by non-contact heating while protecting the birds' tongues. The birds' tongues are protected by providing pressure on underside of the lower beak of the bird, proximate the base of the lower beak.

Abstract: Hatchling processing methods and systems that provide for the processing of hatchlings at a plurality of processing stations, with the hatchlings being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each of the hatchlings is retained in a hatchling carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the hatchling carriers is preferably designed to retain only one hatchling at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the hatchling through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the hatchlings themselves or they may be associated with the hatchling carriers.