Killing device for poultry

A killing device for animals such as poultry secured by the legs to a conveyor with the head and neck hanging downward and being conveyed one behind the other along a conveyor path, the device comprising movable support means, catching means mounted on said support means for movement along said conveyor path for catching, holding and stretching of the neck, said catching means including means defining a catching slot disposed essentially transversely relative to the conveying path with said slot being closed at one end and open at the other end, neck holding means pivoted on said catching means for movement toward and away from said catching slot for engaging the neck and pushing said neck against the closed end of said catching slot, head aligning means located on said catching means below said catching slot, means for movably mounting said catching means on said support means for movement substantially perpendicular to the conveyor path along the length of the neck for locating the head in the head-aligning means and cutting means pivotally mounted on said catching means for movement toward and away from said catching slot.