Disclosed is an electrical stunning method that is delivered to the head of a slaughter animal. A direct and/or alternating current electric pulse or an electric pulse sequence including two or more direct and/or alternating current pulses is used in the method. Also disclosed is a slaughter method using the stunning method and a design for a device that can be used in the stunning method.

Disclosed is an electrical stunning method that is delivered to the head of a slaughter animal. A direct and/or alternating current electric pulse or an electric pulse sequence including two or more direct and/or alternating current pulses is used in the method. Also disclosed is a slaughter method using the stunning method and a design for a device that can be used in the stunning method.

A method and system for receiving, processing, and stunning poultry in a poultry processing facility includes an receiving system for receiving and unloading live poultry from a transport vehicle, a controlled atmosphere stunning system, a stunned poultry hanging station for receiving and transferring stunned poultry to another facility for further processing, such as slaughtering the stunned poultry. Shuttle conveyors and cage pushers coordinate to unload cages of live poultry from the transport vehicle and begin conveying the cages toward the stunning system. Accumulators, cage de-stackers, cage stackers, cage washers, tilted conveyors, and other features may be included with the system.

A method and system for receiving, processing, and stunning poultry in a poultry processing facility includes an receiving system for receiving and unloading live poultry from a transport vehicle, a controlled atmosphere stunning system, a stunned poultry hanging station for receiving and transferring stunned poultry to another facility for further processing, such as slaughtering the stunned poultry. Shuttle conveyors and cage pushers coordinate to unload cages of live poultry from the transport vehicle and begin conveying the cages toward the stunning system. Accumulators, cage de-stackers, cage stackers, cage washers, tilted conveyors, and other features may be included with the system.

Disclosed is an electrical stunning method that is delivered to the head of a slaughter animal. A direct and/or alternating current electric pulse or an electric pulse sequence including two or more direct and/or alternating current pulses is used in the method. Also disclosed is a slaughter method using the stunning method and a design for a device that can be used in the stunning method.

Disclosed is an electrical stunning method that is delivered to the head of a slaughter animal. A direct and/or alternating current electric pulse or an electric pulse sequence including two or more direct and/or alternating current pulses is used in the method. Also disclosed is a slaughter method using the stunning method and a design for a device that can be used in the stunning method.

A method and system for stunning poultry with carbon dioxide gas includes initially establishing an initial elevated CO.sub.2 concentration in an initial stun chamber, and then lowering a cage for live poultry downwardly through an open top of the initial stun chamber. The cage is held there for an initial time period, after which the cage is moved into an intermediate stun chamber, where an intermediate elevated CO.sub.2 concentration is established. The cage is held in the intermediate stun chamber for an intermediate period of time, after which it is moved into a final stun chamber, where a final elevated CO.sub.2 concentration is established. The cage is held in the final stun chamber for a final period of time, and the cage is then raised upwardly through an open top of the final stun chamber and out into an ambient atmosphere.

A method and system for stunning poultry with carbon dioxide gas includes initially establishing an initial elevated CO.sub.2 concentration in an initial stun chamber, and then lowering a cage for live poultry downwardly through an open top of the initial stun chamber. The cage is held there for an initial time period, after which the cage is moved into an intermediate stun chamber, where an intermediate elevated CO.sub.2 concentration is established. The cage is held in the intermediate stun chamber for an intermediate period of time, after which it is moved into a final stun chamber, where a final elevated CO.sub.2 concentration is established. The cage is held in the final stun chamber for a final period of time, and the cage is then raised upwardly through an open top of the final stun chamber and out into an ambient atmosphere.

A method and system for receiving, processing, and stunning poultry in a poultry processing facility includes an receiving system for receiving and unloading live poultry from a transport vehicle, a controlled atmosphere stunning system, a stunned poultry hanging station for receiving and transferring stunned poultry to another facility for further processing, such as slaughtering the stunned poultry. Shuttle conveyors and cage pushers coordinate to unload cages of live poultry from the transport vehicle and begin conveying the cages toward the stunning system. Accumulators, cage de-stackers, cage stackers, cage washers, tilted conveyors, and other features may be included with the system.

A method and system for receiving, processing, and stunning poultry in a poultry processing facility includes an receiving system for receiving and unloading live poultry from a transport vehicle, a controlled atmosphere stunning system, a stunned poultry hanging station for receiving and transferring stunned poultry to another facility for further processing, such as slaughtering the stunned poultry. Shuttle conveyors and cage pushers coordinate to unload cages of live poultry from the transport vehicle and begin conveying the cages toward the stunning system. Accumulators, cage de-stackers, cage stackers, cage washers, tilted conveyors, and other features may be included with the system.