Abstract: A poultry shackle redirecting apparatus can include a conveyor that conveys a plurality of poultry shackles and a guide bar having an entrance positioned along the conveyor. The guide bar can be adapted to redirect a shackle from a poultry processing line to a disposal line. A detection device can be positioned at a distance upstream of the entrance to identify a shackle to be removed. An encoder can be positioned between the detection device and the entrance. The encoder can track a position of the shackle to be removed along the conveyor. Upon receiving instructions from the encoder that the shackle to be removed is positioned in registry with the entrance, a pushing device can be adapted to push the shackle to be removed into the entrance of the guide bar. A method of directing poultry shackles from a poultry processing line to a disposal is also disclosed.