Poultry stunner

A poultry processing system for stunning live poultry comprising one or more birds, comprising:

• a poultry stunner defining an at least partially enclosed passageway;
• an electrically conductive conveyor to convey the live poultry through the at least partially enclosed passageway;
• an electrical power source, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;
• a fluid source;
• and
• at least one conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source, configured to direct a stream of fluid into the at least partially enclosed passageway to form a stunning zone;
• wherein the conduit is in electrical communication with the first terminal and configured to electrically charge the fluid stream directed into the stunning zone, and wherein the electrically conductive conveyor is in electrical communication with the second terminal and is oppositely charged, whereby the stream and the conveyor complete an electric circuit which delivers an electric charge to the live poultry within the at least partially enclosed passageway.

A poultry processing system for stunning live poultry comprising at least one bird, comprising:

• a poultry stunner defining an at least partially enclosed passageway;
• a means for conveying live poultry through the at least partially enclosed passageway;
• a means for delivering a first fluid stream into at least a portion of the at least partially enclosed passageway such that it contacts at least a portion of the at least one bird;
• a means for delivering a second fluid stream into at least a portion of the at least partially enclosed passageway such that it contacts at least a portion of the at least one bird;
• a means for electrically charging the first fluid stream;
• and
• a means for electrically charging the second fluid stream with an opposing charge than the first fluid stream such that the first and second fluid streams complete an electrical circuit through the at least one bird, which delivers an electric charge to the at least one bird.

A method for stunning live poultry comprising one or more birds for processing, comprising:

• directing a first stream of fluid from a fluid source into at least a portion of an at least partially enclosed passageway;
• directing a second stream of fluid from the fluid source into at least a portion of the at least partially enclosed passageway;
• providing an electrical power source;
• energizing the first stream of fluid with an electric current;
• and
• energizing the second stream with an opposite charge than that of the first fluid stream such that the first and second fluid streams complete an electrical circuit which delivers an electric charge to the live poultry within the enclosed passageway.