Abstract: A paw cutting system for removing a poultry paw from a shackle conveyed along a shackle conveyor line and then cutting the leg of the paw to remove the knuckle is provided. The paw cutter has a guide bar substantially aligned with the shackle conveyor line that urges the paw to a central cavity of the shackle. The paw is discharged from the central cavity into a lateral notch formed in two opposed discs positioned adjacent to an end of the guide bar. The two opposed discs are rotatable and move the paw from the guide bar to a blade. As the paw is moved to the blade, the two discs stretch the paw so that the blade can cleanly cut the paw. The cut paw product can be placed onto a belt or other device in an ordered manner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mechanically and individually removing the heart and liver from poultry viscera still attached to the poultry carcass being transported through the poultry plant by an overhead conveyor and cleaning the heart after removal.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing the oil bag from killed fowl without cutting the tail of the fowl. A stationary knife assembly is mounted adjacent the predetermined path traveled by the birds along a conventional overhead conveyor. The stationary knife assembly has a V-shaped notch into which the oil bag of each bird moves, but a guard member partially blocks the notch and keeps the tail of the bird from entering the notch. A movable cutting assembly moves in synchronism with the bird conveyor and cooperates with the stationary knife assembly to shear the oil bag off the bird.