Method and apparatus for unloading live poultry

An apparatus for unloading live poultry onto a horizontal receiving surface from a multi-level transportation container having an access side with an opening at each level and a door for closing each opening, the apparatus comprising:

• a cradle including:
• a base platform configured to receive and support a bottom of the transportation container;
• a side support extending upward from a side of the base platform and configured to receive and support the access side of the transportation container;
• and
• at least one support pillar extending downward to engage with at least one pivot mount that is spaced from and below the base platform;
• a power mechanism configured to rotate the cradle with a transportation container received therein from an upright position, with an access side of the transportation container being in a substantially vertical orientation, around the at least one pivot mount to an unload position, with the access side being in a substantially horizontal orientation above and spaced from the horizontal receiving surface;
• and
• a door-opening mechanism configured maintain the doors for each level in a closed position until the transportation container reaches the unload position, and then to open the doors to deposit live poultry contained therein onto the horizontal receiving surface.