APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STUNNING POULTRY IN A STUNNING CHAMBER ABOVE GROUND

Abstract

An apparatus is for gas-stunning live poultry intended for slaughter and located in containers, by a gas mixture containing a stunning gas. The apparatus has at least one stunning chamber, having at least two stunning zones, and a transport device with at least one transport conveyor for transporting the containers along at least one transport path. The stunning chamber is arranged above ground and the stunning zones lie substantially horizontally one above the other. The gas mixture of the two stunning zones has different stunning gas concentrations. The stunning gas concentration in the gas mixture of the stunning zones increases, starting from the uppermost to lowermost stunning zone. The transport device provides that the containers can be transported on the at least one transport path substantially horizontally in a meandering manner through the stunning zones along a stunning path in the stunning chamber. A corresponding method is disclosed.

Claims

1-34. (canceled)

35. An apparatus configured and adapted for gas-stunning live poultry, which are intended for slaughter and located in containers, by a gas mixture containing a stunning gas, the apparatus comprising: at least one stunning chamber having: at least two stunning zones; at least one input station arranged on an inlet side of the stunning chamber for the containers containing live poultry; and at least one output station arranged on an outlet side of the stunning chamber for the containers containing stunned poultry; a transport device with at least one transport conveyor configured and adapted for transporting the containers from the input station to the output station through the stunning chamber along at least one transport path; wherein; the at least one stunning chamber is arranged above ground and the at least two stunning zones are configured and adapted to lie substantially horizontally one above the other; the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones has different concentrations of the stunning gas in each of the stunning zones, the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones increasing from an uppermost of the stunning zones to a lowermost of the stunning zones; and the transport device is configured and adapted to transport the containers on the at least one transport path substantially horizontally in a meandering manner through the at least two stunning zones along a stunning path in the stunning chamber.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the transport device, the input station and/or the output station comprises at least one lift device for transporting the containers substantially vertically.

37. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the at least one transport conveyor of the transport device comprises a plurality of transport conveyors, wherein a number of transport conveyors corresponds at least to the number of stunning zones provided.

38. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein each of the at least one transport conveyor is configured and adapted for substantially horizontal transport of the containers along a transport path through at least a portion of one of the stunning zones.

39. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the at least one lift device is provided in a course of the stunning path between the at least two stunning zones located one above the other and having at least one transport path, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport of the containers between at least two of the stunning zones, wherein at least one of the transport paths can be bypassed.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the stunning path provided for transport of the containers can be reduced when at least one of the transport paths is bypassed by the lift device.

41. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the lift device is configured and adapted in one of the stunning zones in such a manner that, when the containers are transported by means of the lift device, a distance of the corresponding stunning zone can be reduced.

42. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the transport device and/or the at least one lift device is/are adjustable to the poultry in such a manner that a variable transport speed and/or a variable stunning path can be set, depending on a number and/or weight of the poultry in the containers, in order to provide number-specific and/or weight-specific stunning of the poultry.

43. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the stunning chamber is configured and adapted as a closed stunning tunnel and the stunning path extends substantially horizontally in a meandering manner, wherein the at least two stunning zones are arranged one above the other in a substantially horizontal meandering manner.

44. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein: the stunning chamber comprises a stunning compartment with the at least two stunning zones; the containers are transportable through the at least two stunning zones in each case by at least one of the at least one transport conveyor substantially horizontally; and the at least one lift device is configured and adapted for vertical transport between at least two of the at least one transport conveyors.

45. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the at least one input station and/or the at least one output station comprises at least one gas barrier configured and adapted such that the gas mixture remains substantially in the stunning chamber and/or that substantially no ambient gas enters the stunning chamber.

46. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the stunning chamber further comprises at least one gassing device, configured and adapted to provide a gas and/or a gas mixture in the stunning chamber.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein a stunning gas or a gas mixture containing a stunning gas can be provided in the lowermost of the at least two stunning zones by at least one of the at least one gassing devices, in order to configure and adapt a gas mixture with a first concentration of a stunning gas in the lowermost stunning zone.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein oxygen and/or an oxygen-containing gas mixture can be provided in at least one of the stunning zones by at least one of the at least one gassing devices, in order to configure and adapt an oxygen-containing gas mixture with a concentration of a stunning gas.

49. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the stunning chamber further comprises at least one gas flow device, configured and adapted to provide a gas flow of at least one gas and/or gas mixture from a first of the stunning zones into another of the stunning zones. preferably from the lowermost stunning zone into at least one of the stunning zones above.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the gas flow device is configured and adapted to provide a stunning gas and/or a gas mixture containing stunning gas flowing in the stunning chamber, preferably in the lowermost stunning zone, wherein a gas concentration of the stunning gas and/or of the gas mixture containing the stunning gas decreases gradually along the meandering stunning path, starting from a maximum gas concentration of the stunning gas.

51. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the gas flow of a gas and/or a gas mixture is flowable through the stunning tunnel along the meandering stunning path via at least one lift device from the lowermost stunning zone into at least one of the stunning zones above the lowermost stunning zone.

52. The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a control unit and/or a regulation unit by which a transport speed of the or each transport conveyor, the use of the at least one lift device and a composition of the gas mixture with regard to the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture can be controlled and/or regulated in at least one of the stunning zones.

53. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the or each input station is configured and adapted for vertically and/or horizontally feeding the containers onto the at least one transport path.

54. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the or each output station is configured and adapted for vertically and/or horizontally discharging the containers from the stunning chamber.

55. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein one of the lift devices is provided at a beginning and/or at an end of the transport path of each of the at least one transport conveyor, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport of the containers.

56. A method for gas-stunning live poultry which are intended for slaughter and are located in containers, by a gas mixture containing a stunning gas, comprising the steps: feeding the containers containing the live poultry to a stunning chamber by at least one input station, wherein the stunning chamber is arranged above ground; transporting the containers through at least two stunning zones of the stunning chamber, which are arranged substantially horizontally one above the other, by a transport device having at least one transport conveyor; wherein; the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones has different concentrations of the stunning gas in each of the stunning zones; and the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones increases, starting from an uppermost of the stunning zones to a lowermost of the stunning zones; discharging the containers containing stunned poultry by an output station; wherein; the containers are transported by the transport device on the at least one transport path through the at least two stunning zones in a substantially horizontally meandering manner along a stunning path into the stunning chamber.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein the containers are transported substantially vertically, at least in sections, by at least one lift device comprising the transport device, the input station and/or the output station.

58. The method according to claim 56, wherein the containers are transported on the stunning path substantially horizontally in a meandering manner, wherein the at least two stunning zones are arranged substantially horizontal one above the other in a meandering manner.

59. The method according to claim 57, wherein the containers are transported substantially horizontally through the at least two stunning zones, each by at least one of the transport conveyors, wherein the at least one lift device transports the containers substantially vertically between at least two of the transport conveyors.

60. The method according to claim 57, wherein, in a course of the stunning path, the containers are transported by the at least one lift device between at least two of the stunning zones located one above the other and having at least one transport path, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport of the containers between at least two stunning zones, wherein at least one of the transport paths is bypassed.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein bypassing the containers of at least one of the transport paths reduces the stunning path provided for transport of the containers.

62. The method according to claim 56, wherein a gas and/or a gas mixture is provided in the stunning chamber by at least one gassing device.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein a gas mixture with a first concentration of a stunning gas is provided in the lowermost of the at least two stunning zones by the at least one gassing device.

64. The method according to claim 62, wherein in at least one of the stunning zones, preferably in the lowermost of the stunning zones, oxygen and/or an oxygen-containing gas mixture is provided by the at least one gassing device, in order to configure and adapt an oxygen-containing gas mixture with a concentration of the stunning gas.

65. The method according to claim 56, wherein, in the stunning chamber, a gas flow of at least one gas and/or a gas mixture is provided from a first one of the stunning zones to another of the stunning zones by at least one gas flow device, preferably from the lowermost stunning zone to at least one of the stunning zones above the lowermost stunning zone.

66. The method according to claim 56, wherein the containers each pass through at least three stunning zones one after the other along the stunning path in a substantially horizontal direction, namely a first phase I with a concentration of 5-25% stunning gas in the gas mixture, a second phase II with a concentration of 25-50% stunning gas in the gas mixture and a third phase III with a concentration of 50-100% stunning gas in the gas mixture.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein in the stunning zones with phases I to III, possible fluctuations in the concentration of stunning gas in the gas mixture are compensated by increasing or reducing the concentration of stunning gas in the gas mixture, preferably by feeding in at least one gas and/or gas mixture using at least one gassing device.

68. The method according to claim 56, wherein the gas concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture is monitored in at least one of the at least two stunning zones.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further expedient and/or advantageous features and developments of the apparatuses according to the invention as well as preferred method steps emerge from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing. The drawings show:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in a lateral view;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in a view from above; and

[0057] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in a lateral view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] The apparatus 10 according to the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the aforementioned figures. The apparatus 10 shown in the drawings is used for gas-stunning poultry, namely broiler chickens, which are transported through a stunning chamber 12 arranged in individual containers 11. However, the apparatus 10 according to the invention is also used in the same way for stunning poultry which are transported through the stunning chamber 12 in stacks of containers, that is in two or more containers arranged one above the other. Naturally, the apparatus 10 is also suitable for stunning other species of poultry, such as geese, ducks or the like.

[0059] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 each show an apparatus 10 for gas-stunning live poultry, which are intended for slaughter and are located in containers 11, by means of a gas mixture containing a stunning gas. The apparatus 10 comprises at least one stunning chamber 12 having at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, at least one input station 16, arranged on the inlet side of the stunning chamber 12, for the containers 11 containing live poultry and at least one output station 17, arranged on the outlet side of the stunning chamber 12, for the containers 11 containing stunned poultry, a transport device 18 with at least one transport conveyor 19 configured and adapted for transporting the containers 11 from the input station 16 to the output station 17 through the stunning chamber 12 along at least one transport path.

[0060] This apparatus 10 is characterised according to the invention in that the at least one stunning chamber 12 is arranged above ground and the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 are configured and adapted to lie substantially horizontally one above the other, and in that the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 has different concentrations of the stunning gas in each case, the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 increasing, starting from the uppermost of the stunning zones 13 to the lowermost of the stunning zones 15, and in that the transport device 18 is configured and adapted in such a manner that the containers 11 can be transported on the at least one transport path substantially horizontally in a meandering manner through the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 along a stunning path in the stunning chamber 12. FIG. 1 shows transport of the containers 11, configured and adapted by means of the transport device 18, in greater detail using arrow symbols to illustrate preferred transport directions T of the containers 11 as they pass along the stunning path.

[0061] When taken on their own or in combination with each other, the features and developments described below illustrate preferred embodiments. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarised in the description or are described in a common embodiment can also further develop the apparatus 10 described above in a functionally independent manner. The same applies to the further embodiments and the method described below.

[0062] The embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a total of three stunning zones 13, 14 and 15. However, the number of stunning zones 13, 14, 15 can vary but at least two stunning zones are provided in order to provide the required different concentrations of stunning gas for stunning the poultry. In a further preferred embodiment, not shown in the figures, the stunning chamber 12 of the apparatus 10 can comprise up to five stunning zones.

[0063] Preferably, the transport device 18 comprises a plurality of transport conveyors 19, the number of transport conveyors 19 corresponding at least to the number of stunning zones 13, 14, 15 provided. In the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, a transport device 18 with a plurality of transport conveyors 19, which can be driven and controlled together or preferably separately, are provided for transporting the containers 11 through the stunning chamber 12. In the event that a plurality of transport conveyors 19 are arranged one behind the other, they can be operated in coordination with each other. The or each transport conveyor 19 is preferably configured and adapted for substantially horizontal transport of the containers 11 along a transport path through at least a portion of one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. The stunning chamber 12 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a chamber with an open space but is preferably closed on all sides and sealed with respect to the environment.

[0064] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, which shows a view from above of the apparatus 10 according to the invention, a stunning chamber 12 is shown with a transport device 18 for transporting containers 11 arranged in two rows 21, 22. Basically, the invention encompasses embodiments that can transport more than one container 11 widthways. The required components of the apparatus, such as the transport conveyors 19, lift devices 20, etc., can be adapted accordingly to the width of a plurality of containers 11. The two rows 21, 22 shown in FIG. 2 for transporting the containers 11 can be controllable either in parallel or independently.

[0065] The transport device 18, the input station 16 and/or the output station 17 preferably comprises/comprise at least one lift device 20 for transporting the containers 11 substantially vertically. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a plurality of lift devices 20 are provided which each configure and adapt a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11. Both the input station 16 and the output station 17 each comprise a lift device 20 whereby the containers 11 are preferably inserted into or discharged from the stunning chamber 12 from a level above the uppermost stunning zone 13. Preferably, a gas mixture with a low or non-existent concentration of a stunning gas, i.e. less than 10%, is present in the region above the uppermost stunning zone 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the transport device 18 comprises at least three lift devices 20, whereby a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11 within the stunning chamber 12 is configured and adapted in each case. For example, a lift device 20 is located at the ends 23 of the uppermost and the middle stunning zone 13, 14 to configure and adapt transfer of the containers 11 from the one stunning zone 13 to the further stunning zone 14. By means of the lift device 20, the containers 11 can each be individually lowered or raised so that the containers 11 can be assigned, for example, to a corresponding stunning zone 13, 14, 15 depending on the specification. The lift device 20 preferably comprises a transport conveyor 19 or means for transporting the containers 11 in order to configure and adapt further transport of the containers 11, after vertical transport T.sub.V, onto a transport conveyor 19 adjoining the lift device 20.

[0066] Preferably, the or each input station 16 is configured and adapted for vertically and/or horizontally feeding the containers 11 onto the at least one transport path. More preferably, the or each output station 17 is configured and adapted for vertically and/or horizontally discharging the containers 11 from the stunning chamber 12.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the stunning chamber 12 preferably comprises a stunning compartment 25 with the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, the containers 11 being transportable through the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 in each case by means of at least one of the transport conveyors 19 substantially horizontally, and the at least one lift device 20 being configured and adapted for vertical transport T.sub.V between at least two transport conveyors 19.

[0068] Preferably, the at least one lift device 20 is provided in the course of the stunning path between the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 located one above the other and having at least one transport path, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11 between at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, it being possible to bypass at least one of the transport paths. Preferably, the lift device 20 is configured and adapted in one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 in such a manner that, during a transport T.sub.V the containers 11 by means of the lift device 20, the distance of the corresponding stunning zone 13, 14, 15 can be reduced. Bypassing during transport T.sub.U of the containers 11 is configured and adapted by means of the vertical transport T.sub.V of the lift device 20, whereby the containers 11 are preferably not transported over the entire potential path of one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. More preferably, the stunning path provided for transport of the containers 11 can be reduced when at least one of the transport paths is bypassed by means of the lift device 20. In this way, at a constant transport speed, the poultry are exposed to the gas concentration of the stunning gas prevailing in the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 for a shorter period of time.

[0069] The transport device 18 and/or the at least one lift device 20 is/are preferably adjustable to the poultry in such a manner that a variable transport speed and/or a variable stunning path can be set, depending on the number and/or weight of the poultry in the containers 11, in order to provide number-specific and/or weight-specific stunning of the poultry. A variable stunning path can be configured, for example by changing the length of the stunning path, in that at least one of the lift devices 20 can configure and adapt a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11, whereby a transport T.sub.U of the containers 11 takes place along the reduced stunning path when at least one of the transport paths is bypassed. Due to the preferably configured bypass transport direction T.sub.U of the containers 11 by means of at least one of the lift devices 20, as illustrated by means of the arrow symbols in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the length of the transport path or stunning path can be variably adapted depending on the size or number of the poultry to be fed in. Containers 11 with large poultry or a high number of poultry, for example, can each be transported along the entire length of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 and, at the end of the stunning zones 13, 14, can be transported into the stunning zones 14, 15 located below by means of the lift devices 20 to configure a stunning path that is as long as possible. Optionally, it is additionally possible to pass through at least one of the stunning zones 13, 14 again by transporting the containers into a stunning zone 13, 14 located above by means of the lift device 20. Containers 11 with poultry of medium size can be transported, by means of one of the lift devices 20, arranged between two transport conveyors 19 in the course of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15, into stunning zones 14, 15 located below before the end 23 of the respective stunning zone. Containers 11 with small poultry can either be transported directly into a lower lying stunning zone 14, 15 by means of the input station 16 or can bypass a plurality of transport paths by means of the lift devices 20. The number of the lift devices 20 and their positions can vary. Overall, the number of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 can be reduced or increased based on the poultry transported in the containers 11.

[0070] In the further embodiment of the apparatus 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, the stunning chamber 12 is preferably configured as a closed stunning tunnel 24. In FIG. 3, the stunning path also runs substantially horizontally in a meandering manner, the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 being arranged substantially horizontal one above the other in a meandering manner. The transport device 18 with the or each transport conveyor 19 forming a transport path is configured and adapted along the stunning path for substantially horizontal transport of the containers 11 in a meandering manner through the entire apparatus 10 and correspondingly also from stunning zone 13 to stunning zone 15. The stunning tunnel 24 is preferably closed on all sides (with the exception of the openings 26 for feeding in and discharging the containers 11, i.e. at the input station 16 and at the output station 17). Optionally, the stunning tunnel can also be sealed with respect to the environment using means, not shown in detail in FIG. 3, in the form of visible or invisible airlocks or the like. Such means for sealing can also be present between the individual stunning zones 13, 14, 15. In addition, such a stunning tunnel 24 preferably comprises at least one lift device 20 which configures and adapts a transport of the containers 11 vertically T.sub.V. The at least one lift device 20 is preferably located at the end 23 of a stunning zone 13, 14, 15. Furthermore, such an apparatus 10 preferably comprises at least one lift device 20 between at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 in order to provide a bypass T.sub.U of at least one transport path, thereby shortening the stunning path for the containers 11 containing poultry. The operating principle of the variable stunning path in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is configured and adapted similarly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, so that reference is made to the above paragraphs. In addition, sealable airlocks, flaps or the like, not shown in detail in the Figure, are provided in the present stunning tunnel 24, preferably in the region of the lift device 20, in order to configure and adapt an opening between the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 for transporting the containers 11 when at least one transport path along the processing path is bypassed T.sub.U.

[0071] Preferably, the at least one input station and/or the at least one output station 16, 17 comprises at least one gas barrier 27, configured and adapted such that the gas mixture remains substantially in the stunning chamber 12 and/or that substantially no ambient gas enters the stunning chamber 12. The gas barrier 27 can be configured and adapted, for example, by means of a curtain, an airlock device or by structural measures to form an airlock. More preferably, the at least one input and/or the at least one output station 16, 17 is arranged above the stunning chamber 12 or above the uppermost stunning zone 13, respectively, to configure secure and simple sealing of the stunning chamber 12 with respect to the environment. Particularly preferably, the gas concentration of the stunning gas at the inlet and outlet, i.e. in the region of the at least one inlet and/or the at least one output station 16, 17, is close to zero (maximum 10%).

[0072] Optionally, the stunning chamber 12 comprises at least one gassing device 28, configured and adapted to provide a gas and/or a gas mixture in the stunning chamber 12. Preferably, a stunning gas or a gas mixture containing a stunning gas can be provided in the lowermost 15 of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 by means of at least one of the at least one gassing devices 28, in order to configure and adapt a gas mixture with a first concentration of a stunning gas in the lowermost stunning zone 15. Alternatively or additionally, oxygen and/or an oxygen-containing gas mixture can be provided in at least one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 by means of at least one of the at least one gassing devices 28, in order to configure and adapt an oxygen-containing gas mixture with a concentration of a stunning gas.

[0073] Preferably, the stunning chamber 12 comprises at least one gas flow device 29, configured and adapted to provide a gas flow G of at least one gas and/or gas mixture from a first of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 into another of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15, preferably from the lowermost stunning zone 15 into at least one of the stunning zones 14, 13 above. Particularly preferably, the gas flow device 29 is configured and adapted to provide a stunning gas and/or a gas mixture containing stunning gas flowing in the stunning chamber 12, preferably in the lowermost stunning zone 15, the gas concentration of the stunning gas and/or of the gas mixture containing the stunning gas decreasing gradually along the meandering stunning path, starting from a maximum gas concentration of the stunning gas. More preferably, the gas flow G of a gas and/or a gas mixture is flowable through the stunning tunnel 24 along the meandering stunning path via at least one lift device 20 from the lowermost stunning zone 15 into at least one of the stunning zones 14, 13 above. In FIG. 3, the gas flow G is shown schematically by means of arrow symbols pointing contrary to the stunning path and contrary to the transport direction T of the containers 11. Preferably, the intensity of the gas flow G decreases gradually, starting from the gas flow device 29, it being possible to have a plurality of gas flow devices 29 arranged inside the stunning chamber 12 in order to maintain a desired flow rate over the entire course of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. The gas flow device 29, for example, is a continuous-flow machine, particularly preferably a fan.

[0074] Optionally, at least one means, not explicitly shown in the figures, is assigned in the stunning chamber 12 for determining the gas concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture inside the stunning zones 13, 14, 15, for detecting the flow rate of a gas flow G and/or for visually monitoring the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. This means can comprise gas sensors and/or a camera and/or other detection components that provide relevant information in connection with the stunning process in one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15.

[0075] Particularly preferably, the apparatus 10 comprises a control and/or regulation unit, not shown in detail in the figures, by means of which the transport speed of the or each transport conveyor 19, the use of the at least one lift device 20 and the composition of the gas mixture with regard to the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture can be controlled and/or regulated in at least one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. More preferably, the control and/or regulation unit can also be used to control/regulate the further components of the apparatus 10, such as the or each input station 16, the or each output station 17 and/or the or each lift device 20 and the gassing device 28 and/or the gas flow device 29. Preferably, all components of the apparatus can be controlled and/or regulated separately and independently of each other. However, the higher-level control and/or regulation unit is used to ensure coordinated and continuous functioning of the apparatus 10, in particular taking into account the poultry transported in the containers 11.

[0076] In preferred embodiments, a lift device 20 is provided at the beginning 30 and/or at the end 31 of the transport path of each transport conveyor 19, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11. In FIG. 1, an example of a transport conveyor 19 has its beginning 30 and end 31 marked with reference numerals. Upstream and downstream of the transport conveyor 19 respectively, a lift device 20 is arranged in each case which is configured and adapted for vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11, whereby, for example, bypassing T.sub.U of the subsequent transport path of the adjoining transport conveyor 19 exists.

[0077] The method is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawing: The method is used for gas-stunning live poultry, which are intended for slaughter and are located in containers 11, by means of a gas mixture containing a stunning gas. For this purpose, the containers 11 containing the live poultry are fed into a stunning chamber 12 by means of at least one input station 16, the stunning chamber 12 being arranged above ground. Subsequently, the containers 11 are transported by means of a transport device 18 with at least one transport conveyor 19 through at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, arranged substantially horizontally one above the other, of the stunning chamber 12, the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 having different concentrations of the stunning gas in each case, the concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 increasing, starting from the uppermost of the stunning zones 13 to the lowermost of the stunning zones 15. Finally, the containers 11 containing the stunned poultry are discharged by means of an output station 17.

[0078] This method is characterised according to the invention in that the containers 11 are transported by means of the transport device 18 on the at least one transport path through the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 in a substantially horizontally meandering manner along a stunning path into the stunning chamber 12.

[0079] Preferably, the containers 11 are transported substantially vertically T.sub.V, at least in sections, by means of at least one lift device 20 comprising the transport device 18, the input station 16 and/or the output station 17. In FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of lift devices 20 are provided in each case to transport the containers 11, for example vertically T.sub.V between the stunning zones 13, 14, 15. More preferably, the containers 11 are transported on the stunning path substantially horizontally in a meandering manner, the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 being arranged substantially horizontal one above the other in a meandering manner.

[0080] In the embodiments shown by way of example, the containers 11 are transported substantially horizontally through the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, each by means of at least one of the transport conveyors 19, the at least one lift device 20 transporting the containers 11 substantially vertically between at least two transport conveyors 19. Preferably, in the course of the stunning path, the containers 11 are thereby transported by the at least one lift device 20 between at least two of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15 located one above the other and having at least one transport path, in order to configure and adapt a vertical transport T.sub.V of the containers 11 between at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15, at least one of the transport paths being bypassed T.sub.U. Particularly preferably, bypassing T.sub.U the containers 11 of at least one of the transport paths reduces the stunning path provided for transport of the containers 11. In other words, when bypassing T.sub.U at least one transport path, the stunning path potentially available is reduced by the transport path bypassed, whereby the poultry transported in the containers 11 are exposed for a shorter period of time in the corresponding stunning zone 13, 14, 15 (at least at a constant transport speed).

[0081] Preferably, a gas and/or a gas mixture is provided in the stunning chamber 12 by means of at least one gassing device 28. The gas and/or gas mixture can more preferably be introduced by mechanical ventilation. The gas and/or gas mixture introduced can be controlled and/or regulated as required. Particularly preferably, a gas mixture with a first concentration of a stunning gas is provided in the lowermost 15 of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15 by means of the at least one gassing device 28. Additionally and/or alternatively, in at least one of the stunning zones 13, 14, 15, preferably in the lowermost of the stunning zones 15, oxygen and/or an oxygen-containing gas mixture is provided by means of the at least one gassing device 28, in order to configure and adapt an oxygen-containing gas mixture with a concentration of a stunning gas.

[0082] Optionally, in the stunning chamber 12, a gas flow G of at least one gas and/or a gas mixture is provided from a first stunning zone 13, 14, 15 to another stunning zone 13, 14, 15 by means of at least one gas flow device 29, preferably from the lowermost stunning zone 15 to at least one of the stunning zones 14, 13 above.

[0083] In the embodiments shown by way of example in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the containers 11 each pass through at least three stunning zones 13, 14, 15 one after the other along the stunning path in a substantially horizontal direction, namely a first phase I with a concentration of 5-25% stunning gas in the gas mixture, a second phase II with a concentration of 25-50% stunning gas in the gas mixture and a third phase III with a concentration of 50-100% stunning gas in the gas mixture. Particularly preferably, a concentration of approx. 10% stunning gas in the gas mixture is selected in phase I, a concentration of approx. 40% stunning gas in the gas mixture is selected in phase II and a concentration of approx. 60% stunning in the gas mixture is selected in phase III (for deep unconsciousness, i.e. stunned) and respectively 100% stunning gas in the gas mixture (for irreversible unconsciousness, brain death, i.e. killed). The gas concentrations can vary as well as the number of phases. Possible fluctuations in the preset values for the concentration of stunning gas in the gas mixture can be compensated by increasing or reducing the concentration of stunning gas in the gas mixture, preferably by feeding in at least one gas and/or gas mixture using the at least one gassing device 28. By varying the stunning path, the corresponding times of the containers 11 in the respective stunning zones 13, 14, 15 can be adjusted depending on the poultry transported therein, so that, for example, larger poultry (or a higher number of poultry per container 11) pass through a longer stunning path than smaller poultry (or a lower number of poultry per container 11). In addition, the stunning distance can be adjusted to the stress resistance of the poultry, so that poultry that require a longer concentration of a stunning gas to achieve the desired conditions (stunned, killed, etc.) will pass through a longer stunning path than poultry that require a lower exposure to a stunning gas.

[0084] Preferably, the gas concentration of the stunning gas in the gas mixture is monitored in at least one of the at least two stunning zones 13, 14, 15. Monitoring can also include recording of the information. The information can be used, for example, to control and/or regulate the gas concentration, the transport device 18 or the lift device 20 as well as other parameters influencing the stunning process (e.g. transport speed).