In accordance with example embodiment, a system may include a supply unit, a first transfer unit, a second transfer unit, and a gas chamber. In example embodiments, the supply unit may include a plurality of compartments and each compartment may have a moving device configured to move contents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment to a second end of the compartment. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may include a second moving device. In example embodiments, the second transfer unit may include a third moving device. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may be configured to receive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move the contents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device may be configured to move the contents to the gas chamber.

A fish stunning apparatus comprises a fish feed-in device, a fish receiving space, which is loadable with fish in the head first position, a fish positioning means, which engages on the fish head and, for the purpose of stunning the fish, defines a releasable temporary stop position of the fish, said apparatus also comprises a stunning means for acting on the fish head, a trigger device for determining the stop position and for activating the stunning means, and further comprises a control device for controlling operation. Locations on the fish head which come to rest in the fish receiving space, depending on the size of the head and/or body of the fish, should be positioned optimally for the purpose of stunning. A fish position actuating element can be controlled by means of a fish-size determining device and is connected to a positioning element of the fish positioning means for local adjustment, as a result of which any fish head can be moved automatically, according to the size of the fish, into a consistent position in relation to the stunning means. A trigger unit, which can be installed in the fish stunning apparatus, comprises the fish position actuating element with a trigger abutment element, formed by the positioning element, and also comprises a controllable control actuator for actuating the fish position actuating element. According to a method for activating the stunning means, a fish-size-related control value, which represents the size of any fish, is determined and the positioning element is put automatically, according to the size of the fish, into an associated starting position.

A fish stunning apparatus comprises a fish feed-in device, a fish receiving space, which is loadable with fish in the head first position, a fish positioning means, which engages on the fish head and, for the purpose of stunning the fish, defines a releasable temporary stop position of the fish, said apparatus also comprises a stunning means for acting on the fish head, a trigger device for determining the stop position and for activating the stunning means, and further comprises a control device for controlling operation. Locations on the fish head which come to rest in the fish receiving space, depending on the size of the head and/or body of the fish, should be positioned optimally for the purpose of stunning. A fish position actuating element can be controlled by means of a fish-size determining device and is connected to a positioning element of the fish positioning means for local adjustment, as a result of which any fish head can be moved automatically, according to the size of the fish, into a consistent position in relation to the stunning means. A trigger unit, which can be installed in the fish stunning apparatus, comprises the fish position actuating element with a trigger abutment element, formed by the positioning element, and also comprises a controllable control actuator for actuating the fish position actuating element. According to a method for activating the stunning means, a fish-size-related control value, which represents the size of any fish, is determined and the positioning element is put automatically, according to the size of the fish, into an associated starting position.

When stunning animals e.g. by CO.sub.2-stunning aversive reactions may be seen among the animals as a reaction to the high concentration of CO.sub.2. To avoid the aversive reactions animals can be pre-stunned before being final-stunned and perhaps killed or slaughtered when stunned. Pre-stunning of animals may be performed with a combination of gas for pre-stunning comprising at least air and/or O.sub.2 together with CO.sub.2 e.g. in a concentration below 40%, at least air and/or O2 together with N2O, or at least air and/or O.sub.2 together with N.sub.2O and CO.sub.2, where CO.sub.2 may bi in a concentration below 40%. For larger animals such as pigs pre-stunning is performed for less than 60 seconds. A stunning system may comprise means for pre-stunning of animals before performing a final-stunning and may include gas storage for re-use of the pre-stunning gas.

When stunning animals e.g. by CO.sub.2-stunning aversive reactions may be seen among the animals as a reaction to the high concentration of CO.sub.2. To avoid the aversive reactions animals can be pre-stunned before being final-stunned and perhaps killed or slaughtered when stunned. Pre-stunning of animals may be performed with a combination of gas for pre-stunning comprising at least air and/or O.sub.2 together with CO.sub.2 e.g. in a concentration below 40%, at least air and/or O2 together with N2O, or at least air and/or O.sub.2 together with N.sub.2O and CO.sub.2, where CO.sub.2 may bi in a concentration below 40%. For larger animals such as pigs pre-stunning is performed for less than 60 seconds. A stunning system may comprise means for pre-stunning of animals before performing a final-stunning and may include gas storage for re-use of the pre-stunning gas.

The present disclosure relates to a method of and a system for treatment, stunning, slaughter and/or destruction of animals, such as cattle, livestock, poultry and the like.

The present disclosure relates to a method of and a system for treatment, stunning, slaughter and/or destruction of animals, such as cattle, livestock, poultry and the like.

A box is for containing one or more four-legged live slaughter animals prior to slaughter, and comprises: a bottom; two sidewalls extending along sides of the bottom, and having a length; a gated inlet formed at a first end of the sidewalls; and an end wall formed at a second end of the sidewalls and opposite from the inlet gate. The end wall is configured for allowing the one or more animals in the box to see through the end wall when at the inlet to the box, wherein a side wall is provided with a ventilation window formed as a through-going opening through the sidewall, and wherein the ventilation window comprises barring means for preventing an animal from extending its head through the ventilation window, which barring means are further configured to prevent an animal from viewing through the ventilation window as it enters the box through the inlet.

An enclosure for stunning animals for use in livestock/slaughterhouse operations comprising an animal-supporting floor, a plurality of upward-extending sidewalls around the floor to enclose an animal before and during stunning, and a moveable stunner mount for securing an electrical or pneumatic stunner. The enclosure comprises a second moveable stunner mount for securing a second stunner such that a single enclosure may be used for both electrical or percussive stunning operations. One or more moveable panels may be used to secure the animal within the enclosure. After moving the animal into the enclosure and securing the animal head in a position to be stunned, the animal may be stunned via an electrical or pneumatic stunner, and the animal carcass may be removed from the enclosure. The enclosure may utilize a control system having a computer program code to carry out stunning operations.

An enclosure for stunning animals for use in livestock/slaughterhouse operations comprising an animal-supporting floor, a plurality of upward-extending sidewalls around the floor to enclose an animal before and during stunning, and a moveable stunner mount for securing an electrical or pneumatic stunner. The enclosure comprises a second moveable stunner mount for securing a second stunner such that a single enclosure may be used for both electrical or percussive stunning operations. One or more moveable panels may be used to secure the animal within the enclosure. After moving the animal into the enclosure and securing the animal head in a position to be stunned, the animal may be stunned via an electrical or pneumatic stunner, and the animal carcass may be removed from the enclosure. The enclosure may utilize a control system having a computer program code to carry out stunning operations.