A method and apparatus using an electric shock to relax and stabilize poultry as they move along a defined path in a poultry processing plant wherein the poultry is shocked and then subjected to processing and then shocked again for further relaxation. The apparatus includes a frame structure with electrodes mounted thereon in spaced apart relation and having an electric power supply connected to the electrodes to apply an electric potential difference therebetween. Conveying members carry poultry, that are to be processed, through the shocking devices wherein the poultry engages the electrodes in each device and forms a conductive path therebetween so that an electric current from the power supply passes through the poultry to shock and relax them. Non-conductor shields and insulating structure prevent current from passing through the conveying system to other areas of the processing plants and further protects persons from contact with the electrodes.

A stunning and overload protection circuit for animal stunning apparatus is operative to relax the respective animal, such as poultry, yet not damage same and includes power supply means operative to provide pulsating direct current to a timing circuit which effects activating and deactivating of one electrode of the animal stunning apparatus, and an overload protection circuit electrically connected to the power supply means and to the timing circuit and operative to prevent activating of the electrode and to provide an alternate path for power supply current in the event of application of a load above a selected amount to the electrodes of the stunning apparatus.

The present invention provides a saline solution containing elongated trough which is mounted at the end portions of four non-electrically conducting posts. The trough has an ingress funnel arrangement designed to restrict the thrashing of to-be-electrically stunned birds and an elongated grid having a portion immersed in the solution and a downstream portion out of the solution. The four posts extend upwardly and terminate in threaded portions. A frame carriage is provided which has four corners and at the four corners are suitably mounted driven gears with internal bores and threads adapted to engagingly rotate about the threaded portions of the posts. The carriage is suitably affixed to a conventional I-beam to which is movingly mounted a conventional endless cable and spaced shackle system for conveying upside down birds. The four mounted gears are driven rotatably in unison by a chain drive whereby the trough may be selectively moved upwardly or downwardly to vary the distance between the I-beam and the trough. A continuing extension trough is located and positioned at the end of the trough which has a relatively smooth bottom through which an additional and different pulsating electrical current can be applied to the head of the bird.

An apparatus and method for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses in poultry processing plants in order to tenderize the poultry meat are disclosed. Carcasses suspended by shackles from a moving processing line are transported between two preferably curved electrical conductive bars, which are positioned to apply the electrical stimulation across the breast of the suspended carcass. The carcasses may otherwise be dragged through a charged saline or water solution, or across a charged metal mesh or grill. The carcasses are subjected to electrical stimulation for by the application of an intermediate level voltage for the period of stimulation.

An apparatus for stunning poultry has a conveyor moving along a predetermined path, for suspending the poultry and a compartmentalized basin defining individual compartments for a conducting liquid. The basin is positioned below a portion of the conveyor and moves at the same speed as the conveyor. A circuit senses the position of each of the compartments relative to a reference point. A circuit, responsive to the circuit for sensing, impresses a voltage across the conveyor and each of the individual compartments. The voltages are a function of the position of each of the compartments. The voltages are variable so as to produce a current regulated signal flowing between the conveyor and each of the individual compartments when the poultry is in contact with the conducting liquid in any of the individual compartments.