Apparatus for processing poultry

A fowl picking machine comprising:

• an elongated main framework forming an enclosure defining a generally horizontally and longitudinally extending picking channel through which fowls are movable for picking and cleaning feathers from the same, said enclosure having openings formed in the sides thereof;
• a pair of spaced longitudinally extending picking assemblies positionable to extend into said openings in said enclosure to define the boundaries of said channel;
• support means extending transversely to said channel for supporting said picking assemblies on each side of said enclosure;
• carriage means on said picking assemblies and said support means supporting said picking assemblies for lateral movement with respect to each other and to said enclosure.
• means connected to said carriage means for moving same and said picking assemblies associated therewith laterally toward and away from said enclosure whereby in a first position said picking assemblies are positioned relative each other within said enclosure to remove feathers from the fowls and in a second position away from said enclosure to allow access to th interior of said enclosure and said picking assemblies.

Apparatus for picking fowls as they are conveyed along a predetermined path of travel comprising:

• means forming an elongated enclosure through which the fowls are conveyed during processing operations, said enclosure means being opened at the ends thereof to allow the passage of fowls therethrough and having openings formed in the sides thereof;
• a pair of opposed picking assemblies positionable at the sides of said enclosure means to extend through said openings, said picking assemblies each including a plurality of finger elements adapted to engage the fowls to remove the feathers therefrom;
• means mounting said picking assemblies for movement toward and away from said enclosure means, said mounting means including an overhead supporting framework extending transversely to said elongated enclosure generally perpendicular to the sides thereof;
• at least a pair of carriage members mounted on said supporting framework, one on each side of said enclosure means for movement along said supporting framework toward and away from said enclosure means;
• means connecting said picking assemblies to said carriage means for movement therewith whereby said picking assemblies are movable toward and away from said enclosure means, said picking assemblies when moved toward said enclosure means extending through said side openings into cooperative operative picking positions and when moved in a second position along said supporting framework, providing access to the interior of said enclosure and said picking assemblies.