Automated poultry processing method and system

#The present invention relates generally to a method and system for processing poultry (either hatchlings or embryos in eggs), where “hatchlings” are defined as young birds (e.g., chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc.) with an age of one week or less. Furthermore, “poultry” as used herein means one or more hatchlings or one or more embryos in eggs. In some instances, it may be preferred that the methods or systems of the present invention be dedicated to processing hatchlings or embryos in eggs, but not both hatchlings and embryos in eggs.

#The processing of poultry may include activities such as sexing to determine gender, inoculating or otherwise medicating the poultry, feeding the hatchlings, weighing the poultry, treating the beaks and/or claws of the hatchlings (to, e.g., retard their growth), etc. Conventionally, poultry (hatchlings or eggs) are handled manually, i.e., individuals must physically hold the poultry and either perform the process while holding the poultry or load the poultry into equipment in which one of the processes is performed.

#The poultry processing methods and systems of the present invention provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one poultry (hatchling or embryo in an egg) at a time.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one example of one exemplary poultry processing system according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 depicts one example of a system with processing stations in a serial configuration.

#FIG. 3 depicts one example of a system with processing stations in a parallel configuration.

#In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram that is illustrative of one embodiment of a modular poultry processing system 100 according to the present invention. The system 100 includes a control system 102, processing stations 104, poultry carriers 106, and a conveying system 108. In the depicted embodiment, the control system 102 is operably connected to the processing stations 104 and the conveying system 108.

#The processing stations 104 are provided to perform one or more processes on poultry routed to the processing station 104 on poultry carriers 106. Each processing station 104 may perform one or more processes on an individual poultry directed to the processing station 104 by the conveying system 108. Examples of processing stations 104 include, but are not limited to a loading station, a cleaning station, a weighing station, a sexing station, a beak treatment station, a claw treatment station, etc.