Method and system for rehanging poultry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for re-hanging poultry suspended by its head in a first hook of a first hook conveyor to a second hook of a second hook conveyor, in which second hook the poultry is or will be suspended by its legs, wherein the system comprises: a leg positioning unit, which is arranged to support the poultry at the legs while the poultry remains suspended by its head in the first hook of the first hook conveyor; a movable take-up unit, which is designed to operate on the legs of the poultry and is arranged to be operable at least when the leg positioning unit supports the poultry at the legs, and wherein at least the movable take-up unit is movable towards the second hook of the second hook conveyor and is arranged to move the legs of the poultry into the second hook of the second hook conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for re-hanging poultry suspended by their heads in a first shackle of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle of a second shackle conveyor, in which second shackle the poultry is or will be suspended by its legs. The invention also relates to shackles for suspending poultry. Background Art

[0002] WO2014 / 026695 discloses a method and system for suspending a poultry by its legs from a shackle, wherein the following steps are performed in sequence: 1) bending at least one leg at the ankle joint so that the foot is closer to the bird's chest, 2) inserting the leg into the shackle, 3) at least partially releasing the leg. The bending of the leg can be achieved by arranging an engagement member on the chest side of the leg to hinder the movement of the ankle joint towards the bird's chest and using a load-bearing member to force the foot towards the chest. The bending at the ankle joint causes the tendons and muscles of the leg to be pulled, which in turn causes the toes to be brought closer together and the foot to be gripped. A tighter grip can be achieved by extending the knee joint. In the prior art, it is necessary to bend the poultry's legs in this way so that the toes are brought together so that the foot takes up considerably less space and the leg is more easily inserted into the opening of the shackle from which the poultry is to be suspended by its legs.

[0003] WO00 / 41568 discloses a system for re-hanging poultry suspended by its head in a first hook of a first hook conveyor to a second hook of a second hook conveyor, in which second hook the poultry is or will be suspended by its legs, wherein the system comprises a leg positioning unit arranged to support the poultry at the legs while the poultry remains suspended by its head in the first hook of the first hook conveyor, and wherein the system comprises a movable take-up unit capable of being moved towards the second hook of the second hook conveyor for moving the legs of the poultry into the second hook of the second hook conveyor, wherein the movable take-up unit is arranged to be operable at least when the leg positioning unit supports the poultry at the legs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an efficient and flexible method and system for automatically rehanging poultry from being suspended by the head to being suspended by the legs. The system of WO2014 / 026695 does not provide this capability. The system of WO00 / 41568 lacks flexibility and is not suitable for high processing rates.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method and system which are reliable, require little maintenance and are well equipped to handle the high processing rates in rehanging operations.

[0006] Thus, the method and system of the present invention have the features of one or more of the technical solutions described herein.The present invention is also embodied in a shackle as defined by the technical solutions herein.

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, the movable take-up unit is independent of and separate from the leg positioning unit that is movable toward the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor and is arranged to act directly on the legs of the poultry to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor. The system of the invention implements a fully automated rehanging method in which the poultry is first suspended by the head and then switched to being suspended by the legs, and in which the step of supporting the poultry at the legs is first performed while the poultry remains suspended by the head in the first shackle of the first shackle conveyor, and then, while the poultry is supported by the legs, another step of engaging the legs of the poultry is performed using the movable take-up unit that acts directly on the legs, and a step of moving the movable take-up unit that acts directly on the legs toward the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor is performed.

[0008] Preferably, the leg positioning unit comprises a hook arranged to engage the legs of the poultry when the poultry is suspended by the head.Hooks are well known devices in the poultry industry and are sturdy tools for performing the leg positioning operation.

[0009] Suitably, the hooks of the leg locating unit are arranged to follow a substantially circular path as they approach the leg for ultimate engagement with the poultry's leg, the circular path terminating in a position in which the poultry's leg is tilted or extended laterally away from the position in which the poultry is suspended by its head. As the poultry's legs are tilted or extended laterally away, they are in a suitable position to be further engaged by the movable take-over unit, as described below.

[0010] Preferably, the movable take-up unit is arranged to engage the poultry's leg during an upward movement of the take-up unit, the upward movement terminating near the position where the leg positioning unit engages the poultry's leg. Thus, the take-up unit engages the poultry's leg in a well-defined position, which is desirable in the automated operation envisaged by the present invention.

[0011] Preferably, the leg positioning unit and / or the movable take-up unit engages the leg on the front side of the ankle at or near the ankle, preferably on the convex side of the leg above the ankle. Thus, a certain bending of the leg is induced, which helps to correctly orient the leg when it is later moved by the take-up unit to the shackle from which the poultry will be hung in the rehanging method.

[0012] In order to enable the poultry leg to be easily moved to the shackle by the take-over unit at a later time, it is more preferred that the movable take-over unit engages the leg at a position that is further from the first shackle than the distance from the leg positioning unit to the first shackle when the leg positioning unit engages the poultry's leg, wherein the poultry is suspended by its head on the first shackle.

[0013] Suitably, the movable tube unit is provided with a first slot for receiving a leg of a poultry therein.

[0014] It is further desirable that the movable tube unit be provided with a restraining element for preventing the leg from being removed from the first slot of the movable tube unit. This ensures that once the poultry is released from its head suspension, the poultry's leg is not lost, causing the poultry to flip into an upside-down orientation. Accordingly, it is desirable that the system be arranged to release the head from the first shackle after the movable tube unit has engaged the poultry's leg, and more preferably, the system be arranged to release the head from the first shackle after the restraining element of the movable tube unit has been actuated to prevent the leg from being removed from the first slot in which the poultry's leg was received.

[0015] Suitably, the movable take-over unit is arranged to move the legs of the poultry towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor in a substantially horizontal movement.Mechanisation of the movement is then easily achieved.

[0016] Preferably, the system comprises a second conveyor provided with a series of second shackles.

[0017] It is further preferred that the second shackle (or each second shackle) is provided with a substantially vertical slit for receiving and holding the leg of the poultry, wherein the movable take-up unit is arranged to move downwards after the movable take-up unit and the leg of the poultry have been moved towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor so as to move the leg for holding the leg downwards into said substantially vertical slit of the second shackle.

[0018] In particular, wherein the second shackle includes an upper horizontal bar distal from and above the second slit, the movable take-up unit is arranged to move a foot extending from the leg above and beyond the upper horizontal bar, and then move the leg downward so that the foot engages the upper horizontal bar and the toe of the foot moves into the second shackle before the leg moves into the second substantially vertical slit of the second shackle. The movable take-up unit is arranged to move the leg into the second slit in a downward motion once the toe of the foot is securely positioned within the second shackle. Thus, in the method of the present invention, after the movable take-up unit has moved the poultry's leg above the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor, the movable take-up unit is moved downward so that the foot extending from the poultry's leg protrudes beyond the upper horizontal bar of the second shackle, thereby assuming a suitable starting position for subsequently moving the leg downwardly into the second shackle. During the downward movement of the take-up unit, the foot first engages the upper horizontal bar of the second shackle, and with continued downward movement of the take-up unit, the toe of the foot is positioned to enter the second shackle. In this way, the risk that the leg will not eventually move into the substantially vertical slit of the second shackle is reduced.

[0019] A conventional second shackle can be used to suspend poultry by their legs. This conventional shackle includes a central vertical rod, wherein at a lower end of the central vertical rod and connected to the central vertical rod are two first rods, the two first rods being separated from each other and connected to a lower horizontal rod remote from the central rod, wherein at opposite ends of the lower horizontal rod, the horizontal rod is bent into two upwardly extending second rods that are ultimately connected to the central vertical rod, and wherein the two first rods and the two second rods define and define a slot between the two first rods and the two second rods for receiving and retaining the legs of poultry suspended by their legs from the second shackle.

[0020] Instead of using a conventional second shackle, a shackle is preferably used in which two upwardly extending second bars merge into an upper horizontal bar remote from a lower horizontal bar, said upper horizontal bar being fixed in place at a predetermined distance from a central vertical bar. Thus, when the movable tube unit moves downward following its movement toward the second shackle, it is easier to move the poultry's legs into the second shackle, during which downward movement the poultry's legs are moved so as to be held downwardly in the substantially vertical slot of the second shackle.

[0021] Suitably, the upper horizontal rod of the shackle is connected to the central vertical rod by an intermediate connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be further elucidated hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings showing the operating sequence of an exemplary embodiment of a system for rehanging poultry according to the invention, without the invention being limited to the appended claims.

[0023] In the attached figure:

[0024] - Figure 1 The system for rehanging poultry of the present invention is shown, wherein such poultry is to be rehanged;

[0025] - Figure 2 The operation of a leg positioning unit forming part of the system of the present invention is shown;

[0026] - Figure 3a The operation of the movable tube unit engaging the poultry legs is shown;

[0027] - Figure 3b The movable take-over unit is shown in an isometric view;

[0028] - Figure 4 A movable tube unit with a closed retaining element for securing the legs of poultry is shown;

[0029] - Figure 5 shows a poultry with its head released and suspended by its legs on a movable take-over unit;

[0030] - Figure 6 The movable tube unit is shown after access to the shackle from which the poultry will be suspended by the legs, wherein the legs extend above the upper part of the shackle;

[0031] - Figure 7 The movable pipe unit, through which the poultry legs are introduced into the Figure 6 In the hook and loop;

[0032] - Figure 8 Shown in the poultry legs are introduced into Figure 6 A movable take-over unit is then in a further downwardly moved position in the hook ring;

[0033] - Figure 9 The movable pipe unit is shown as it is released from the poultry leg and Figure 6 The final position before the hook is removed;

[0034] - Figure 10 A conventional shackle for suspending poultry by the legs is shown;

[0035] - Figure 11 Shown is a shackle according to the present invention;

[0036] - Figures 12 to 14 Several subsequent stages of the movement of the movable tube unit in different embodiments of the system of the invention equipped with a special breast support for poultry are shown.

[0037] Whenever the same reference numbers are used in the drawings, they refer to the same parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Reference Figures 1 to 9 The operation of the system for rehanging poultry according to the present invention is illustrated. Figures 1 to 9 The order of operation of the different parts of the system is shown.

[0039] Figure 1 A bird 1 is shown suspended by its head 2 in a first shackle 3 of a first shackle conveyor. The system of the present invention is designed to re-hang the bird 1 to a position where it will eventually be suspended by its legs in a second shackle 4 of a second shackle conveyor.

[0040] Figure 1 The system is shown comprising the leg positioning unit 5 in a non-operational position. Figure 1 It is clearly shown that the leg positioning unit 5 comprises a hook 5 ′ arranged to engage the leg 6 of the poultry 1 when the poultry 1 is suspended by the head 2 .

[0041] exist Figure 2 In FIG, the leg positioning unit 5 is shown after it has become operational and has engaged the leg 6 of the poultry 1 . Figure 2 It is shown that the leg positioning unit 5 is arranged to support the poultry 1 at the legs 6 while the poultry 1 remains suspended by its head 2 in the first shackle 3 of the first shackle conveyor.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The leg positioning unit 5 is shown mounted on a hinge 8 arranged so that the hook 5' of the leg positioning unit 5 follows a substantially circular path when approaching the leg 6 of the poultry 1, wherein the hook 5' eventually engages the leg 6 of the poultry 1. The circular path ends in a position in which the leg 6 of the poultry 1 extends obliquely or laterally away from the position in which the poultry 1 is suspended by the head 2. This last aspect is also Figure 2 Shown in.

[0043] As in Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, the movable pipe unit 7 designed to operate directly on the leg 6 of the poultry 1 is arranged on the leg positioning unit 5 as shown. Figure 2 After the poultry 1 is supported at the legs 6 as shown in FIG, it becomes operable. Figures 6 to 9 As explained, at least the movable take-over unit 7 of the system can be moved independently of the leg positioning unit 5 towards the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor in order to move the leg 6 of the poultry 1 into this second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor.

[0044] Before performing the movement of the previous section, the movable take-up unit 7 is arranged to engage the leg 6 of the poultry 1 in an upward movement of the movable take-up unit 7, which ends near the position where the leg positioning unit 5 engages the leg 6 of the poultry 1. For best results, the leg positioning unit 5 and / or the movable take-up unit 7 engage the leg 6 at or near the ankle on the front side of the ankle, preferably on the convex side of the leg 6 above the ankle. Figure 3a Preferably, the movable take-over unit 7 engages the leg 6 at a position that is further from the first shackle 3 than the distance of the leg positioning unit 5 from the first shackle 3 when the leg positioning unit 5 engages the leg 6 of the poultry 1 to which the poultry 1 is suspended by its head 2.

[0045] Reference Figure 3b , it is shown that the movable pipe unit 7 is provided with a first slit 9 for receiving the leg 6 of the poultry 1 . Figure 3b It is also shown that the movable pipe unit 7 is provided with restraining elements 10 for preventing the legs 6 from being removed from the first slits 9 after the movable pipe unit 7 has engaged the legs 6 of the poultry 1 and received the legs 6 in the first slits 9. These restraining elements 10 are activated to prevent the legs 6 from being removed from the first slits 9 before the moment when the first shackle 3 - the poultry 1 is suspended by the head 2 - releases the head 2, thereby causing the poultry 1 to flip over and become suspended from the movable pipe unit 7 only by the legs 6. This is Figure 5 Described in .

[0046] From that point on, the movable take-over unit 7 is arranged to move the legs 6 of the poultry 1 towards the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor in a preferably substantially horizontal movement, which is achieved by comparing Figures 5 to 7 order to explain. Figure 6 The movable take-over unit 7 is depicted to have approached the second hook ring 4, wherein Figure 6 In this case, the foot of the leg 6 has reached a point located above the second shackle 4. As is common for shackles for suspending poultry 1 by the leg 6, the second shackle 4 is provided with a second substantially vertical slit 11 for receiving and holding the leg 6 of the poultry 1; this will be referred to below. Figure 10 and Figure 11 Further explanation.

[0047] By comparison Figure 6 and Figure 7 , showing that the movable take-over unit 7 is arranged to move downwards after the foot of the leg 6 has reached a point above the second shackle 4, as shown Figure 6, wherein the movable take-over unit 7 has moved the leg 6 of the poultry 1 to be immediately adjacent to and above the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor. With the subsequent downward movement of the movable take-over unit 7, the leg 6 of the poultry 1 moves downward so that the foot with the toes engages the upper horizontal bar 18 of the second shackle 4 before the toes move into the second shackle 4, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As described in . Figure 7 and Figure 8 A comparison of shows that once the toes of the foot are placed in the second carabiner 4, the movable tube unit 7 moves the leg 6 further into the second carabiner 4 in a continuous downward movement for holding the leg 6 down into the second substantially vertical slit 11 of the second carabiner 4. Finally, Figure 9 The movable take-up unit 7 is shown immediately before its removal, after which the poultry 1 will be completely suspended by its legs 6 in the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor.

[0048] In the exemplary re-hanging method explained above, the following can be used: Figure 10 . This conventional second shackle 4 comprises a central vertical rod 12, wherein on a lower end 12' of said central vertical rod 12 and connected to said central vertical rod 12 are two first rods 13, 14, which are separated from each other and connected to a lower horizontal rod 15 remote from the central vertical rod 12, wherein, on opposite ends of the lower horizontal rod 15, said lower horizontal rod 15 is bent into two upwardly extending second rods 16, 17 which are ultimately connected to the central vertical rod 12, and wherein the two first rods 13, 14 and the two second rods 16, 17 delimit and define between the two first rods 13, 14 and the two second rods 16, 17 a second slot 11 for receiving and retaining the legs 6 of the poultry 1 suspended by the legs 6 to the second shackle 4.

[0049] Advantageously, the use of Figure 11 The hook and loop design shown in the. Figure 11 The hook and loop has Figure 10 The invention relates to a second shackle 4 of the conventional embodiment shown in FIG, but has an additional and distinguishing feature, namely that the two second bars 16, 17 extending upwards merge into an upper horizontal bar 18 remote from the lower horizontal bar 15, said upper horizontal bar 18 being fixed in place at a predetermined distance from the central vertical bar 12. For this purpose, the upper horizontal bar 18 is connected to the central vertical bar 12 by an intermediate connecting piece 19. Figure 11 The second hook 4 makes it easier for the legs 6 of the poultry 1 to be Figure 6 The foot of the leg 6 depicted in FIG. 1 moves downwards into the second slit 11 of the second shackle 4 in a single downward movement after having reached a point above the second shackle 4 .

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention may include every combination of features disclosed herein that are independent of one another. Although the present invention has been discussed hereinabove with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to that particular embodiment, which may be varied in many ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to interpret the appended claims strictly in accordance with their exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended only to interpret the wording of the appended claims and are not intended to limit the claims to the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted solely in light of the appended claims, wherein the exemplary embodiments should be used to resolve possible ambiguities in the wording of the claims.

[0051] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. Figures 12 to 14 Depicts one such possible variation or modification, except Figures 1 to 3a and Figure 3b In addition to the implementation methods, Figures 12 to 14 Also shown is a breast support 20 for the poultry 1 . Figures 12 to 14 Several subsequent stages of movement of the leg positioning unit 5 and the movable tube unit 7 are shown, wherein the breast support 20 also adopts different positions to assist in supporting the poultry 1 during the rehanging operation.

[0052] The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated above as "essential," none of the various components or the relationships of the various components to each other are essential to the operation of the present invention. Rather, the desired results may be achieved by replacing various components and / or reconfiguring the relationships of the various components to each other.

Claims

1. A system for re-hanging poultry (1) suspended by its head (2) in a first shackle (3) of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle (4) of a second shackle conveyor, the poultry (1) being or to be suspended by its legs (6) in the second shackle (4), wherein: The system comprises a leg positioning unit (5) arranged to support the poultry (1) at the leg (6) while the poultry (1) remains suspended in the first shackle (3) of the first shackle conveyor by the head (2), and wherein the system comprises a movable take-over unit (7) movable towards the second shackle (4) of the second shackle conveyor for moving the leg (6) of the poultry (1) into the second shackle (4) of the second shackle conveyor, wherein the movable take-over unit (7) is movable towards the second shackle (4) of the second shackle conveyor The movable take-over unit (7) is arranged to be operable at least when the leg positioning unit (5) supports the poultry (1) at the leg (6), characterized in that the movable take-over unit (7) is independent of the leg positioning unit (5) that is movable toward the second hook (4) of the second hook conveyor and is separated from the leg positioning unit (5), and the movable take-over unit (7) is arranged to act directly on the leg (6) of the poultry (1) so that the leg (6) of the poultry (1) moves into the second hook (4) of the second hook conveyor.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The leg positioning unit (5) comprises a hook (5') arranged to engage the leg (6) of the poultry (1) when the poultry (1) is suspended by the head (2).

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The hook (5') of the leg positioning unit (5) is arranged to follow a substantially circular path when approaching the leg (6) to ultimately engage the leg (6) of the poultry (1), the circular path terminating in a position in which the leg (6) of the poultry (1) extends obliquely or laterally away from the position in which the poultry (1) is suspended by the head (2).

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The movable take-over unit (7) is arranged to engage the leg (6) of the poultry (1) during an upward movement of the movable take-over unit (7), the upward movement ending near the position where the leg positioning unit (5) engages the leg (6) of the poultry (1).

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The leg positioning unit (5) and / or the movable connecting pipe unit (7) engage the leg (6) of the poultry (1) at or near the ankle on the front side of the ankle.

6. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The movable connecting unit (7) engages the leg (6) at a position that is further from the first shackle (3) than the distance from the leg positioning unit (5) to the first shackle (3) when the leg positioning unit (5) engages the leg (6) of the poultry (1), and the poultry (1) is suspended from the first shackle (3) by the head (2).

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The movable take-over unit (7) is provided with a first slot (9) for receiving the leg (6) of the poultry (1) therein.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that The movable pipe unit (7) is provided with a limiting element (10) for preventing the leg (6) from being removed from the first slit (9).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The system is arranged to release the head (2) from the first shackle (3) after the movable take-over unit (7) has engaged the leg (6) of the poultry (1).

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The system is arranged to release the head (2) from the first shackle (3) after the movable take-over unit (7) has engaged the leg (6) of the poultry (1), and the system is arranged to release the head (2) from the first shackle (3) after the restraining element (10) of the movable take-over unit (7) is actuated to prevent the leg (6) from being removed from the first slit (9) in which the leg (6) of the poultry (1) is received.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The movable take-over unit (7) is arranged to move the leg (6) of the poultry (1) towards the second shackle (4) of the second shackle conveyor in a substantially horizontal movement.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the second shackle conveyor having the second shackle (4), the poultry (1) being or to be suspended in the second shackle (4) by the legs (6), characterized in that The second shackle (4) is provided with a substantially vertical second slit (11) for receiving and holding the leg (6) of the poultry (1), wherein the movable take-over unit (7) is arranged to move downwards after the movable take-over unit (7) and the leg (6) of the poultry (1) have moved towards the second shackle (4) of the second shackle conveyor so as to move the leg (6) for holding the leg (6) downwards into the second substantially vertical slit (11) of the second shackle (4).

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The second shackle (4) includes an upper horizontal rod (18) away from and above the second slit (11), characterized in that the movable pipe unit (7) is arranged to move the foot extending from the leg (6) above and beyond the upper horizontal rod (18), and then move the leg (6) downward so that the foot engages the upper horizontal rod (18) and the toes of the foot move into the second shackle (4) before the leg (6) moves into the second substantially vertical slit (11) of the second shackle (4).

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein: The movable tube unit (7) is arranged to move the leg (6) into the second slit (11) in a downward movement once the toe is arranged in the second shackle (4).

15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The second shackle (4) includes a central vertical rod (12), wherein at the lower end (12') of the central vertical rod (12) and connected to the central vertical rod (12) are two first rods, the two first rods being separated from each other and connected to a lower horizontal rod (15) away from the central vertical rod (12), wherein at the opposite ends of the lower horizontal rod (15), the lower horizontal rod (15) is bent into two upwardly extending second rods that are ultimately connected to the central vertical rod (12), and wherein the two first rods and the two second rods define and define a second slot (11) between the two first rods and the two second rods for receiving and retaining the legs (6) of the poultry (1) suspended by the legs on the second shackle (4), wherein the two upwardly extending second rods merge into the upper horizontal rod (18) away from the lower horizontal rod (15), and the upper horizontal rod (18) is fixed in place at a predetermined distance from the central vertical rod (12).

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein: The upper horizontal rod (18) is connected to the central vertical rod (12) via an intermediate connecting piece (19).

17. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The system comprises a breast support (20) for supporting the poultry (1) before the leg positioning unit (5) supports the poultry (1) at the legs (6).

18. A method for re-hanging poultry (1) suspended by its head (2) in a first shackle (3) of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle (4) of a second shackle conveyor, the poultry (1) being or to be suspended by its legs (6) in the second shackle (4), wherein: The poultry (1) is supported at the legs (6) while the poultry (1) is kept suspended in the first hook (3) of the first hook conveyor by the head (2), characterized in that: the steps of engaging the legs (6) of the poultry (1) with a movable connecting unit (7) directly acting on the legs (6) when the poultry (1) is supported at the legs (6), and the steps of moving the movable connecting unit (7) directly acting on the legs (6) toward the second hook (4) of the second hook conveyor to move the legs (6) of the poultry (1) into the second hook (4) of the second hook conveyor.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The poultry (1) is supported at the leg (6) and / or the leg (6) is engaged with the movable connecting piece (7) on the convex side of the leg (6) above the ankle.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that After the movable take-over unit (7) has engaged the legs (6) of the poultry (1), the head (2) of the poultry (1) is released.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The movable take-over unit (7) is moved downward after the movable take-over unit (7) has moved the leg (6) of the poultry (1) above the second hook (4) of the second hook conveyor so as to move the leg (6) for holding the leg (6) down into the second hook (4).

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