Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, a system may include a supply unit, a first transfer unit, a second transfer unit, and a gas chamber. In example embodiments, the supply unit may include a plurality of compartments and each compartment may have a moving device configured to move contents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment to a second end of the compartment. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may include a second moving device. In example embodiments, the second transfer unit may include a third moving device. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may be configured to receive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move the contents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device may be configured to move the contents to the gas chamber.

Abstract: A handheld, hatchling holder not only simplifies manual examinations but also better protects the hatchling's welfare. The welfare concerns include not only bruising but also yolk-sac rupture. The handheld, hatchling holder has a cupped seat portion for cupping the ventral-end of a hatchling. The cupped seat portion is apertured, as with an opening. The hatchling is seated on the handheld, hatchling holder such that the cupped seat portion provides support to portions of the hatchling's perineal area that surrounds the alimentary vent (cloaca) as the alimentary vent is situated for exposure by the opening. The holder and opening facilitates not only welfare-friendly discharge of the meconium in the hatchling's alimentary vent through the opening but also welfare-friendly examination of the distended innards of the vent for markers of gender. The quality of the meconium discharge (or absence thereof) also facilitates determining whether the hatchling exceeds a hydration standard or not.

Abstract: A method for making a sex determination in avian hatchlings involves the following activities. A process line is equipped to process an endless plurality of hatchlings. The process line has an ultrasound inspection station for the hatchlings. The ultrasound inspection results are analyzed to find the presence of given sex-determinative structure for each hatchling. If the given sex-determinative structure is found then a first category assignment is made. The hatchling is sorted according to its category assignment. The category assignments might number two or three or so including positively-identified one sex, positively-identified other sex, and default to waste for any of various reasons.

Abstract: The bird vaccinating device comprises a frame, a drum or carosel rotatable on a vertical axis or this frame, schackle means for attaching birds, and being angularly spaced on said drum, motor means to rotate said drum, to present the bird successively to different operating stations, wherein said drum has a polygonal shape, preferably octagonal, each lateral side of the polygon providing a flat surface, said schackle means protruding from said surface so that an attached bird can be backed on to this flat surface by the vaccinator for proper vaccination. Preferably means are provided to cause the drum to stop if grasped by a vaccinator and to release automatically the vaccinated bird, preferably on a slide, as well as to count the vaccinated birds.

Abstract: The poultry shackle assembly (10) includes an upper hanger rod (11) and a lower carcass hanger (12). The legs (44 and 45) of a poultry carcass (46) are inserted into the leg recesses (42 and 43) of the carcass hanger. Guide rods (66, 67 and 68) tilt the carcass hanger (12) and the carcass (46) to an attitude suitable for visual inspection of the visceral cavity (49) of the carcass (46). Lock collar (48) moves downwardly along the hanger rod (11) until it is received in the lock recesses (58) of the clevis plates (34 and 35) of clevis (32), thereby holding the carcass (46) in the desired attitude for visual inspection. Later, the lock collar (48) is lifted by a guide rod (67) out of locking engagement with respect to the clevis (32), to permit the carcass (46) to reassume its vertical orientation for further advancement along the processing line.