APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED TRANSPORT OF LIVE BIRDS

Abstract

A transport device for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction is disclosed, along with a method for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction, a method for commencing the operation of a transport device, and a method for automatically performing a handling operation on living poultry animals, and to the use of a transport device. The transport device comprises a transport rail which extends along a transport axis and which has two guide elements and a transport receptacle formed between said guide elements, at least one driver device which has two holding elements, wherein each holding element has a driver portion and a receiving recess, and a drive which is configured to move the at least one driver device along the transport rail.

Claims

1.-15. canceled.

16. A transport device for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction, the transport device comprising: a transport rail extending along a transport axis, the transport rail further comprising two guide elements and a transport receptacle formed between the guide elements; at least one driver device which has two holding elements, wherein each holding element has a driver portion and a receiving recess; and a drive adapted to move the at least one driver device along the transport rail.

17. The transport device as claimed in claim 16, comprising: a fixing device; a placement device positioned upstream of the transport rail in a transport direction and which transitions into the transport rail, and multiple driver devices; wherein the driver devices are of identical form, and the driver devices are spaced apart from one another between 180 mm and 650 mm in a transport direction.

18. The transport device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the transport device has two or more portions and the portions are selected from the group consisting of: a placement portion; a functional portion; a fixing portion; an inspection portion; or a release portion.

19. The transport device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the transport rail: has, in a plane orthogonal to the transport axis, a cross section with a substantially M-shaped profile; is configured entirely or partially at least in certain portions as a closed profile; is configured entirely or partially at least in certain portions as an open profile; is configured such that the thoracic spine of a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail is oriented substantially parallel to the transport axis and/or transport direction; is configured such that a torso, breast, breastbone, or sternum of a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail is or are arranged in the transport receptacle; is configured such that a hip joint, shoulder joints, or scapulohumeral joint of a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail are arranged at an upper end of the transport rail or project above the transport rail; or is configured such that a wing or leg of a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail project outward beyond the guide elements.

20. The transport device as claimed claim 16, wherein: the guide elements are configured as guide rods or as support webs; the guide elements each have the same spacing to the transport axis or to a vertical plane that encompasses the transport axis; the transport receptacle has, in a plane orthogonal to the transport axis, a cross section with a V-shaped profile or a U-shaped profile; or the transport receptacle is configured to receive a part of the poultry animal, including a torso, breast, breastbone, sternum of the poultry animal.

21. The transport device as claimed in claim 16, wherein: the receiving recess of the holding elements is configured to receive a scapulohumeral joint or a shoulder joint of a poultry animal; the driver portion of the holding elements is configured to drive the scapulohumeral joint or the shoulder joint, which is arranged in the receiving recess, of the poultry animal in the transport direction; the driver device has a holding position and a release position, wherein the driver device is pivotable from the holding position into the release position and vice versa about a pivot axis that is arranged horizontally or orthogonally with respect to the transport axis or with respect to the transport direction; the driver device is secured against pivoting about an axis that is parallel to the transport axis; the driver device is, in a holding position, arranged above the transport rail; the driver device is, in the release position, arranged at least in certain portions below the upper ends of the guide elements; the spacing of the holding elements substantially corresponds to the spacing between the scapulohumeral joints or the shoulder joints of the poultry animal; or a spacing of the holding elements to the transport axis or to a vertical plane that encompasses the transport axis substantially corresponds to the spacing of the guide elements, to the transport axis or to a vertical plane that encompasses the transport axis.

22. The transport device as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the fixing device has two fixing elements; the fixing device is arranged above the transport rail, above the lower ends of the respective receiving recesses, or parallel to the transport axis; the spacing of the fixing elements substantially corresponds to, or is greater than, the width of a neck, the head, or torso of a poultry animal; a spacing of the fixing elements to the transport axis or to a vertical plane that encompasses the transport axis is adjustable; a spacing of the fixing elements to the transport rail or to the transport axis is adjustable; the fixing device extends across one, two, several or all portions of the transport device; the fixing device ends, in a release portion, between 20 mm and 80 mm before the end of the transport rail or the end of the guide elements; or the fixing device extends at least partially over the placement device or beyond the placement device.

23. The transport device as claimed claim 17, wherein: the placement device has, at its end adjacent to the transport rail, a width that is greater than a width at the opposite end of the placement device; the placement device tapers, proceeding from its end adjacent to the transport rail, in a direction away from the transport rail; the placement device has, at its end adjacent to the transport rail, a width that is greater than a width at the opposite end of the placement device; the placement device has, at its end situated opposite the transport rail, a height that is greater than the height of the transport rail; the drive is configured as a circulating drive; the drive is configured as a chain drive or as a belt drive; or the drive changes its drive direction in the release portion.

24. The transport device as claimed in claim 16, comprising: a weighing device for weighing a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail, wherein the weighing device is arranged in a first functional portion or is arranged at an underside of the transport rail or forms a part of the underside of the transport rail; a first functional device arranged in the first functional portion; a second functional device arranged in a second functional portion; a third functional device arranged in a third functional portion; one or more inspection devices arranged entirely or partially in an inspection portion, in a release portion, or in one or more of the functional portions; or a provision device, wherein the provision device preferably comprises substance container receptacles for one or more substances; a conveying device for conveying the substances to a location of use; a movement device for moving the substance containers; a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of substances; or a ventilation device for removing or separating off gaseous constituents of the substances.

25. The transport device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first functional device comprises a scratching element arranged on a guide element or configured to make contact with and scratch a skin portion of a thigh of a poultry animal which has been placed onto the transport rail and which is driven along the transport rail by the driver device; wherein the scratching element is fluidically connected to one or more of the substance containers, wherein a surface of the scratching element is preferably wetted with the substance; wherein the second functional device comprises a spraying device; wherein the third functional device comprises a cam which is height-adjustable or movable along the transport axis and which is configured to support a sternum of a poultry animal that has been placed onto the transport rail; wherein the third functional device comprises a needle arrangement which is height-adjustable or movable along the transport axis and which comprises at least two needles arranged symmetrically with respect to the transport axis or at an angle between 15 degrees and 25 degrees with respect to the vertical or a vertical plane that encompasses the transport axis; or wherein the needle arrangement is fluidically connected to one or more of the substance containers.

26. The transport device as claimed in claim 24, wherein: a one of the inspection devices comprises a sensor; a one of the inspection devices comprises a camera; the transport device is configured as a mobile transport device; or a one of the substances are vaccines.

27. A method for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction, wherein the method comprising: providing a transport device comprising a transport rail extending along a transport axis, the transport rail further comprising two guide elements and a transport receptacle formed between the guide elements, at least one driver device which has two holding elements, wherein each holding element has a driver portion and a receiving recess, and a drive adapted to move the at least one driver device along the transport rail; receiving a part of a poultry animal in the transport receptacle; arranging a scapulohumeral joint or a shoulder joint of the poultry animal in the receiving recesses of the holding elements; and transporting the poultry animal by moving the driver device along the transport rail by means of the drive.

28. A method for commencing the operation of a transport device as claimed in claim 27, the method comprising: specifying poultry-animal-specific parameters; and adjusting at least one component of the transport device in accordance with the parameters.

29. A method for automatically performing a handling operation on living poultry animals in a transport device as claimed in claim 16, the method comprising: transporting and fixing a poultry animal in a transport position in which a thoracic spine of the poultry animal is oriented substantially horizontally; scratching the skin of the poultry animal on an inner side of the thigh, wherein the scratching is performed by a scratching device; administering a vaccine into the inner side of the thigh under the skin of the poultry animal; and shaping the breast muscle of the poultry animal by supporting the sternum by means of a cam, wherein the shaping into a crowned form precedes an intramuscular administration of one or more substances into the breast muscle.

30. The use of a transport device as claimed in claim 16 in a poultry house for the purpose of automatically transporting poultry animals in a transport direction.

31. The use of a transport device in a poultry house for the purpose of automatically transporting poultry animals in a transport direction and according to the method of claim 27.

32. A transport device for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction, the transport device comprising: a transport rail extending along a transport axis, the transport rail further comprising two guide elements and a transport receptacle formed between the guide elements; at least one driver device which has two holding elements, wherein each holding element has a driver portion and a receiving recess, wherein the receiving recess of the holding elements is configured to receive a scapulohumeral joint or a shoulder joint of a poultry animal and the driver portion of the holding elements is configured to drive the scapulohumeral joint or the shoulder joint, which is arranged in the receiving recess, of the poultry animal in the transport direction; and a drive adapted to move the at least one driver device along the transport rail.

33. The transport device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the transport device comprises: a placement portion; and a release portion.

34. The transport device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the placement portion comprises a placement device having, at its end adjacent to the transport rail, a width that is greater than a width at the opposite end of the placement device.

35. The transport device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the release portion is between 20 mm and 80 mm before the end of the transport rail or the end of the guide elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] Preferred exemplary embodiments will be described by way of example on the basis of the appended figures, in which:

[0106] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile transport device;

[0107] FIG. 2 shows a further three-dimensional view of the transport device as per FIG. 1 obliquely from below;

[0108] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the transport rail with the fixing device of the transport device as per FIG. 1;

[0109] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the placement portion of the transport device as per FIG. 1, with a poultry animal;

[0110] FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the release portion of the transport device as per FIG. 1, with a poultry animal;

[0111] FIG. 6 shows a further three-dimensional view of the release portion of the transport device as per FIG. 1, with two poultry animals;

[0112] FIG. 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the transport rail and of a driver device of the transport device as per FIG. 1 in the region of the placement portion, with a poultry animal;

[0113] FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional view of a detail of the transport device as per FIG. 1 in the region of the placement portion;

[0114] FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the placement portion as per FIG. 1;

[0115] FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a driver device of the transport device as per FIG. 1, with a part of the drive;

[0116] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D show side views of different positions of the lowering movement of the driver device of the transport device as per FIG. 1 at the release portion;

[0117] FIG. 12 shows a three-dimensional view of the transport rail of the transport device as per FIG. 1;

[0118] FIG. 13 shows the transport rail as per FIG. 12 in side view;

[0119] FIG. 14 shows the transport rail as per FIG. 12 in the section A-A as per FIG. 13;

[0120] FIG. 15 shows the transport rail as per FIG. 12 in the section B-B as per FIG. 13;

[0121] FIG. 16 shows a three-dimensional view of the transport rail, the fixing device, a driver device, and a needle arrangement of the transport device as per FIG. 1;

[0122] FIG. 17 shows a three-dimensional view of the needle arrangement of the transport device as per FIG. 1;

[0123] FIG. 18 shows a three-dimensional view of the cam of the transport device as per FIG. 1;

[0124] FIG. 19 shows a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for automatically transporting living poultry animals in a transport direction;

[0125] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a method for commencing the operation of a transport device; and

[0126] FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a method for automatically performing a handling operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0127] In the Figures, identical or substantially functionally identical elements are denoted by the same reference designations. As a rule, general descriptions relate to all embodiments unless differences are explicitly specified.

[0128] FIGS. 1 to 18 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a transport device 1, and various details thereof.

[0129] The specifics and details, described below, of the transport device 1 illustrated in the Figures may advantageously be used in combination with one another. The described features, specifics and details are each also advantageous on their own or in combination with in each case only one, two or several of the other features, such that advantageous transport devices are realized even if individual or several specifics that are shown here are omitted. The same applies correspondingly to the method sequences illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 19 to 21. In particular, these method sequences may be supplemented by corresponding further method steps that are expedient, necessary or advantageous in the use of the described transport device.

[0130] As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport device 1 illustrated here is configured as a mobile transport device 1. This can be seen in particular from the compact structural form and the rollers 40. In this way, the transport device 1 can, for example within a poultry house, be moved easily between different locations of use, for example different poultry animal pens of one house. A mobile transport device 1 can likewise advantageously be used in different poultry houses, and thus moved between these. This is possible directly, for example by way of the rollers 40 of the transport device 1, if the poultry houses are situated in close proximity. The transport device 1 can likewise be transported to further remote poultry houses, for example on the load floor of a transport vehicle that is provided or suitable for this purpose.

[0131] Here, it is preferable in particular for the transport device 1 to be configured to be sterilizable and/or such that it can be cleaned using a liquid jet, in particular using a high-pressure cleaner, for example in order to prevent pathogens from being transmitted from one poultry animal population to another.

[0132] The transport device 1 illustrated here serves for automatically transporting living poultry animals 20 in a transport direction TR that runs parallel to the transport axis TA. As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the transport axis TA is located, as an imaginary line, centrally between the upper ends of the guide elements 110 of the transport rail 100. In the example illustrated here, the transport axis TA runs along a straight line. The transport axis TA may however likewise have changes in direction and/or bands, for example upward, downward, to the right, and/or to the left, and any combinations thereof. The transport axis TA preferably corresponds to the movement path on which the poultry animals 20 are transported the transport direction TR in the transport device 1.

[0133] The transport device 1 has various portions which, in the example described here, aside from the placement portion 91 at the start and the release portion 97 at the end, include a weighing portion, three functional portions 92, 93, 94, a fixing portion 95, and an inspection portion 96. In the functional portions 92, 93, 94, it is possible in particular for handling operations, for example the administration of substances, in particular vaccines, to be performed on the poultry animals, as will be described in more detail below. In the example shown here, the fixing portion 95 extends over the entire length of the transport rail 100, because the poultry animals 20 are fixed by means of the fixing device 400 over the entire length of the transport rail 100. These portions will be described in more detail below.

[0134] The poultry animals 20 are transported in the transport device 1 in particular in the manner described below.

[0135] The poultry animals 20 are placed onto the placement device 500 in the region of the placement portion 91. This may for example be performed manually by personnel. When the poultry animals 20 are placed onto the placement device 500, the head and/or neck of the poultry animals is introduced between the fixing elements 410 of the fixing device 400, which are spread apart at this end. Furthermore, the legs 21 and wings 23 of the poultry animal 20 are positioned laterally outside the placement device 500. The placement device 500 is configured to be relatively narrow at that end of the placement device 500 which is averted from the transport rail 100, such that the poultry animals 20 are placed on, and the legs 21 and wings 23 are spread apart, easily and gently.

[0136] Furthermore, in the placement portion 91, the shoulder joints 24 of the poultry animals 20 are mounted into the receiving recesses 212 of the holding elements 210 of the driver devices 200. The driver portions 211 of the holding elements 210 of the driver device 200 thus engage behind the shoulder joints 24 of the poultry animals 20. The shoulder joint 24 can also be referred to as scapulohumeral joint. In order to make this mounting of the shoulder joints 24 of the poultry animals 20 into the receiving recesses 212 of the driver device 200 in the placement portion 91 easier, the fixing elements 410 are deflected upward in this region in order to create the corresponding free movement space here for the mounting operation. In the fixing portion 95 that adjoins the placement portion 91, the fixing elements 410 then have a smaller spacing to the transport axis TA, such that the freedom of movement of the poultry animal 20 in an upward direction is restricted by the fixing elements 410.

[0137] The placement device 500 widens toward the transport rail 100, such that the torso and/or the breastbone and/or the sternum of the poultry animal 20 comes to lie in the transport receptacle 120, which is situated between the guide elements 110 of the transport rail 100. The torso and/or the breastbone and/or the sternum of the poultry animal 20 is in this case guided and/or held between the two guide elements 110 in the transport receptacle 120. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 14, the transport receptacle 120 narrows toward its lower end, in the example shown here from an upper width OB to a lower width UB, and then once again from said lower width UB to the lower end of the transport receptacle. The transport receptacle 120 is delimited by the inner flanks 111 of the guide elements 110. The legs 21 and wings 23 of the poultry animals 20 project laterally beyond the guide elements 110 and lie against the upper region of the outer flanks 112 of the guide elements 110, as is schematically indicated in particular in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

[0138] FIG. 7 shows the position of the poultry animal 20, which has been mounted with its shoulder joints 24 into the receiving recesses 212 of the driver device 200, in the placement portion 91. After the poultry animal 20 has been placed onto the placement device 500, the shoulder joints 24 have been mounted into the receiving recesses 212 of the driver device 200, and the neck and/or head has been introduced between the fixing elements 410, the poultry animal 20 is situated in the intended transport position. Here, the thoracic spine of the poultry animal 20, in particular in the region between the shoulder joints 24 and the hip joints 22, is oriented substantially horizontally, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. At the same time, the head of the poultry animal 20 is oriented upward and can be moved, for example turned slightly, because the fixing device 400 primarily prevents a lateral movement and/or an upward movement of the poultry animal 20. This intended transport position of the poultry animal 20 is a relatively relaxed and natural posture for the poultry animal 20, which has the advantage that it leads to little stress and thus also little agitation in the poultry animals, and to a low risk of injury. Transport which is particularly gentle on the animals, and which is at the same time efficient, is thus possible.

[0139] The position assumed by the poultry animals 20 in the transport device 1 also has the advantage of allowing improved and/or easier manipulation, and/or of allowing handling operations on poultry animals 20 to be performed in an improved manner and/or more easily, as will be described in more detail below.

[0140] The movement of the poultry animals 20 along the transport axis TA in the transport direction TR is effected by movement of the driver devices 200. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the transport device 1 has multiple driver devices 200, which are spaced apart from one another. The spacing between the driver devices 200 is in particular dimensioned such that a poultry animal can easily fit between two adjacent driver devices 200, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0141] The driver devices 200 are likewise moved in the transport direction, and along or parallel and/to the transport axis TA, by the drive 300, which is configured here as a circulating drive in the form of a unilateral chain drive with an electric motor 310. Since the shoulder joints 24 of the poultry animals 20 have been mounted into the receiving recesses 212 of the holding elements 210 of the driver devices 200, the poultry animals 20 are likewise concomitantly moved forward, by means of the driver portions 211, during a forward movement of the driver devices 200. Owing to their plumage, the poultry animals 20 exhibit low friction, and can easily slide along the transport rail 100.

[0142] A first functional portion 92 is situated in the region of the placement device 500 in the placement portion 91. This first functional portion comprises a weighing device 610, by means of which the weight of the poultry animal can be ascertained. Since the fixing device 400 does not make contact, or makes only light contact, with the poultry animal in its intended position, an undistorted weight of the poultry animal can be ascertained. Also arranged in the first functional portion 92 is a first functional device 620, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 8, and 16 in the form of wing web vaccination devices. A scratching element (not illustrated) is however preferably provided as a first functional device 620, which scratching element is preferably arranged on a guide element 110 such that it can make contact with and scratch the skin, in particular in the region of the thigh, preferably on an inner side of the thigh, of a poultry animal 20 which has been placed onto the transport rail 100 and which is being driven along the transport rail 100 by the driver device 200. Since the scratching element is preferably fluidically connected to one, two, or more substance containers, and a surface of the scratching element is preferably wetted with substance, a substance can be administered to the poultry animal 20 in this way. The substance is particularly preferably a vaccine, in particular a pox vaccine.

[0143] This means of administering a substance to the inner side of the thigh of the poultry animals 20 is a particular advantage of the transport device described here. In relation to a wing web vaccination device, the administration of a substance to the inner side of the thigh of the poultry animal 20 using a scratching element has the advantage that it can take place automatically as the poultry animal 20 slides along the transport rail 100, without manual intervention by personnel being necessary for this purpose. By contrast, in the case of the wing web vaccination device, the wings must be spread apart manually and the wing web vaccination device applied, which is a cumbersome and error-prone process.

[0144] In the example illustrated here, a second functional portion 93 and a third functional portion 94 are also provided, which overlap one another and are also provided within the fixing portion 95. An inspection portion 96 is also provided, which is likewise configured to overlap the second and third functional portions 93, 94 and which is likewise arranged in the fixing portion 95. The various portions may however also be arranged in some other way, in particular in accordance with which functions are required and preferred in the respective portions.

[0145] Arranged in the second functional portion 93 is a second functional device 630, which in the present example is configured as a spraying device that can spray a substance from a substance container, which is fluidically connected to the spring device, in the direction of the poultry animal, in particular of the head and/or of the eyes of the poultry animal, whereby it is possible in particular to perform a spray vaccination.

[0146] Arranged in the third functional portion 94 is a third functional device 640 which is configured here as a needle arrangement 700, which is preceded by a cam 641. The third functional device 640 is preferably arranged so as to access the torso and/or the breast and/or the breastbone and/or the sternum of the poultry animal, in particular its breast muscle, from below.

[0147] The cam 641 is configured to support the sternum, in particular the keel, of a poultry animal 20 such that the breast muscle of the poultry animal 20 is shaped into a crowned form. This is preferred for the purposes of intramuscular injection of a substance into the breast muscle using the downstream needle arrangement 700 and the two needle administering means 710, which in this case each comprise two needles. In this case, too, the substance is preferably a vaccine.

[0148] For this purpose, the cam 641 has, in particular, a stepped profile 642 in order to support the sternum, in particular the breastbone, in a gradual manner that is pleasant for the poultry animal 20. Furthermore, the cam 641 is preferably configured to be movable by means of the cam drive 643, for example in a direction parallel to the transport axis TA and/or orthogonally with respect thereto.

[0149] The cam 643 described here has the advantage in particular that the breast muscle is shaped into a crowned form prior to the injection by the needles of the needle administering means 710. When injecting vaccines into the breast muscle, it is preferred to use several different needles, because the vaccines are not necessarily compatible with one another and it is therefore preferred for said vaccines to be introduced at spatially separate locations. Furthermore, for reliable intramuscular vaccination, an exact penetration depth of the needles must be ensured. However, erroneous administration of vaccinations can often occur here when using existing methods, because the breast muscle in poultry animals 20, in particular in laying hens, is not particularly pronounced. By virtue of the breast muscle being shaped into a crowned form by means of the cam 643 prior to the injection using the needle arrangement 700, much more reliable vaccination can be ensured.

[0150] One or more inspection devices 650, for example in the form of sensors or cameras, are provided in the inspection portion 96. These can be used to record and document various characteristics and/or conditions of the poultry animals 20. Furthermore, the inspection device is 650 can preferably also be used to record and document the results of the handling operations performed, such as vaccinations.

[0151] In order to make the underside of the torso of the poultry animal 20 accessible for such inspections and/or handling operations, in particular the administration of substances, the transport rail 100 is configured as an open profile in certain portions, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, in the rear part of the transport rail 100 as viewed in the transport direction TR, it can be seen that the inner flanks 111 of the guide elements 110 of the front part of the transport rail 100 in the transport direction TR are replaced here by guide rails 113. This can also be clearly seen once again in FIG. 15, which illustrates a section through this part of the transport rail 100. The guide rods 113 support the torso of the poultry animal 20, such that, in this region of the transport rail 100, too, the poultry animal 20 is securely held in the transport receptacle 120 and positioned in the intended transport position. At the same time, the open profile of the transport rail 120 in this region also allows manipulation of, administration of a substance to, and/or inspection of, the lower region of the torso of the poultry animal 20.

[0152] Situated at the end of the transport device 1 is a release portion 97, in which the poultry animals 20 are discharged from the transport device 1 again. In this release portion 97, the drive 300 of the driver devices 200 is configured such that the holding elements 210, in particular the driver portions 211 and the receiving recesses 212, are lowered downward such that their upper ends move below the upper ends of the guide elements 110 of the transport rail 100. The driver devices 200 therefore move from the holding position into the release position in the release portion 97. For this purpose, the drive 300 preferably changes its drive direction in the release portion 97. The driver devices assume the holding position in the placement portion 91, and preferably maintain this holding position in the further portions 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 as far as the portion 97. The driver device 200, in particular the holding elements 210, in particular the respective receiving recess 212 and/or the respective driver portion 211, is or are, in the holding position, arranged above the transport rail 100, in particular above the upper ends of the guide elements 110. The driver device 200, in particular the holding elements 210, is or are, in the release position, arranged at least in certain portions below the transport rail 100, in particular below the upper ends of the guide elements 110. The lowering of the driver devices 200, in particular of the receiving recesses 212 and of the driver portions 211, downward so as to move below the fixing elements 410 of the fixing device 400 and below the upper ends of the guide elements 110 of the transport rail 100 is illustrated in detail in particular in FIGS. 11A to 11D.

[0153] In this way, the shoulder joints 24 are released from the receiving recesses 212 and can no longer be driven along by the driver portions 111 of the holding elements 110. Therefore, at the end of the release portion 97, the poultry animal 20 can leave the end of the transport rail 100 and of the fixing device 400, optionally with manual assistance.

[0154] The driver devices 200 furthermore have a front pushing piece 213. If necessary, a poultry animal 20 which is positioned in front of the front pushing piece 213 in the transport direction TR, and which is already situated in the release portion 97 and is no longer being driven along by the driver portions 211 of the driver device 200 situated in front, can be pushed ahead by the front pushing piece 213, which can thus assist the process of the poultry animal 20 leaving the transport device 1.

[0155] The transport device 1 is furthermore preferably configured to be adapted to different types of poultry animals for transport. It is accordingly preferable for the fixing elements 410 of the fixing device 400 to be adjustable in terms of their horizontal spacing to one another, and/or in terms of their vertical spacing to the transport axis TA, by means of the fixing element adjusting device 420. The holding elements 210 of the driver devices 200 are preferably also adjustable in terms of their horizontal spacing to one another, and/or in terms of their vertical spacing to the transport axis TA, by means of the holding element adjusting device 220. The placement device 500 and/or the transport rail 100 may preferably be configured to be exchangeable. It is furthermore preferable for the guide elements 110 of the transport rail 100 to be adjustable in terms of their horizontal spacing to one another and/or in terms of their vertical spacing to the transport axis TA.

[0156] It is furthermore preferred that parameters relating to the handling operations to be performed, such as vaccinations, for example the type and quantity of the (vaccination) substances that are to be administered, can also be specified in a manner dependent on the type of poultry animal. The possible adjustments of the various components of the transport device 1 can preferably be performed by means of a control device 30.

[0157] The device described here and in particular be operated and/or used and/or set in operation using the following methods. The steps described may preferably be performed in the stated sequence. Individual, several or all steps may however also be performed in some other sequence if this is expedient or preferred in the situation of use.

[0158] FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a method 1000 for automatically transporting living poultry animals 20 in a transport direction TR. In step 1001, a transport device described here is firstly provided. In step 1002, a part of the poultry animal 20, in particular the torso and/or the breast and/or the breastbone and/or the sternum of the poultry animal 20, is received in the transport receptacle 120, and in step 1003, the scapulohumeral joints and/or the shoulder joints 24 of the poultry animal 20 are arranged in the receiving recesses 212 of the holding elements 210. In step 1004, the poultry animal 20 is transported along the transport rail 100 by virtue of the driver device 200 being moved by means of the drive 300.

[0159] The method 2000 shown in FIG. 20 for commencing the operation of a transport device 1 described here comprises, in a step 2001, specifying poultry-animal-specific parameters and, in a step 2002, adjusting at least one component of the transport device in accordance with said parameters.

[0160] Furthermore, FIG. 21 illustrates a method 3000 for automatically performing a handling operation on living poultry animals, preferably in a transport device, in particular in a transport device 1 described above.

[0161] The method 300 comprises, in a step 3001, transporting, and preferably fixing, a poultry animal 20 in a transport position in which, preferably, a thoracic spine of the poultry animal 20, in particular in the region between the shoulder joints 24 and hip joints 22, is oriented substantially horizontally.

[0162] Alternatively or in addition, the method 3000 comprises, in step 3002, scratching the skin of a poultry animal 20, in particular on the thigh, preferably on an inner side of the thigh. The scratching is preferably performed by a scratching device. The scratching furthermore preferably takes place automatically by virtue of the poultry animal 20 being transported across the scratching device and the scratching occurring as a result of the relative movement between the transported poultry animal 20 and the positionally fixed scratching device.

[0163] Alternatively or in addition, the method 3000 comprises, in step 3003, administering a substance, in particular a vaccine, preferably a pox vaccine, into the thigh, and/or in particular an inner side of the thigh, preferably under the skin, of a poultry animal.

[0164] Alternatively or in addition, the method 3000 comprises, in step 3004, shaping the breast muscle of the poultry animal 20, in particular shaping the breast muscle of the poultry animal 20 into a crowned form, in particular by supporting the sternum, in particular the keel, preferably by means of a cam 641, wherein the shaping into a crowned form preferably precedes an intramuscular administration of one or more substances into the breast muscle.

[0165] The use of a transport device 1 in a poultry house for automatically transporting poultry animals 20 in a transport direction TR is also preferred. The use of a transport device 1 in one of the methods described here is likewise preferred.