Poultry animal handling device, and method

Abstract

To provide a poultry animal handling device (1), in particular, a handling device for supporting a manual operation for a poultry animal, a method (1000) for handling the poultry animal particularly by the manual operation, and the use of the handling device.SOLUTION: A handling device comprises a guide rail 100 which extends between first and second ends 101 and 102 and which has two guide legs 110, and a poultry animal support 200 on which the chest of the poultry animal is to be placed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a handling device for poultry animals, in particular live poultry animals, a method for handling poultry animals, in particular live poultry animals, and the use of the handling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices and methods for handling live poultry animals (and possibly for carrying out further operations) are known, for example, from WO 2017 / 125387 A1, WO 2015 / 077432 A2, FR 2885030 A1, US 10,350,041 b2 or WO 2017 / 125394 A1.

[0003] However, existing solutions have various drawbacks. For example, in existing solutions, poultry animals are often placed in forced positions that are contrary to the poultry animal's natural position, such as the overhead position. In addition, the poultry animals tend to free themselves from the forced positions or are unwilling to assume them. This leads to restlessness, tension and stress in the poultry animals, and also to the risk of injury to the poultry animals. It also means that certain handling and actions on the poultry animals cannot be performed or can only be performed poorly. Furthermore, laborious operations are usually required to properly restrain the poultry animals.

[0004] However, existing systems, in which for example livestock animals move more freely and are transported in a suspended position, have the disadvantage that the position of the livestock animals is not clearly defined, with the consequence that certain handling and / or actions cannot be performed or can only be performed poorly, especially when a defined position and / or defined counter pressure is required.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a poultry animal handling device and a method for handling poultry animals as well as a use of the handling device which reduces one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a poultry animal handling device and a method for handling poultry animals as well as a use of the handling device which improves animal welfare and / or allows improved handling and / or performance of actions on poultry animals.

[0006] This problem is solved according to a first aspect by a handling device, in particular for live poultry animals, in particular for assisting manual handling of poultry animals, which comprises a guide rail extending between a first end and a second end and having two guide legs, and a poultry animal support for placing the breast of the poultry animal thereon.

[0007] The solutions described herein are particularly suitable for live poultry animals, and the solutions described herein and preferred embodiments thereof are particularly advantageous in the handling of live poultry animals, e.g. allowing particularly gentle handling with less stress for the poultry animals.

[0008] The handling device has a guide rail with two guide legs, between which the poultry animal can be inserted from a first end. Removal of the poultry animal can take place at the second end of the guide rail or again at the first end of the guide rail. The handling device also comprises a poultry animal support on which the breast of the poultry animal can be placed. In the operating state, the poultry animal support is preferably arranged below the guide rail, in particular at least partially or to a large extent.

[0009] The solutions described herein are preferably used for manual handling of poultry animals, in particular the transport or movement of poultry animals in and / or through a handling device is preferably performed entirely manually.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the handling device does not comprise a conveying device for, in particular, fully or partially automatically conveying the poultry animals through the handling device, in particular from the first end to the second end and / or into and / or out of the handling device, in particular the handling device does not have a conveying element for conveying the poultry animals along the conveying direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0011] The absence of a conveying device for, in particular, fully or semi-automatic conveying of poultry animals means that conveying of the poultry animals is in particular performed manually. This embodiment is based in particular on the realization that, although fully or semi-automated conveying solutions may appear efficient, manual conveying of live poultry animals is significantly gentler on the poultry animals and that a human user can react better than an automated solution to unexpected behaviour of the poultry animals.

[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment, an actuation mechanism is provided which is specifically designed to initiate a series of distance changes between the guide rail and the poultry animal support in response to a sensor signal.

[0013] Furthermore, the actuation mechanism is preferably designed to increase the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support, especially vertically, from the functional position to the release position.

[0014] Preferably, the guide rail and the poultry animal support are or can be arranged relative to one another such that the poultry animal can be fixed or partially fixed, in particular vertically, between the guide rail and the poultry animal support, which in particular means that the poultry animal cannot escape, in particular laterally, from between the guide rail and the poultry animal support.

[0015] The distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support, especially the vertical distance, is important for positioning and (partially) fixing the poultry animal between the guide rail and the poultry animal support. The greater the distance, the more free the poultry animal can move. An actuation mechanism can be used to vary this distance, especially from a working position where the distance is small, to a release position where the distance is large.

[0016] Preferably, the actuation mechanism is designed to vary the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support only in the vertical direction, which results in a particularly simple and robust design.

[0017] It is also preferred that the actuation mechanism comprises a sensor and is designed to initiate an increase and / or decrease in the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support in response to a sensor signal. Preferably, a sensor can be provided that is designed to detect the position of the poultry animal along the guide rail. Preferably, the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support can be changed and / or a sequence of distance changes can be initiated in response to a sensor signal from the sensor.

[0018] Preferably, the distance between the first end and the second end is at most 2 m, in particular at most 1.80 m, in particular at most 1.70 m, in particular at most 1.60 m, in particular at most 1.50 m, in particular at most 1.40 m, in particular at most 1.30 m, in particular at most 1.20 m, in particular at most 1.10 m, in particular at most 1.00 m. More preferably, the floor area of ​​the handling device is at most 1.80 m x 1.00 m. Further preferably, the height of the handling device, in particular at the first end and / or the second end, is at least 0.50 m, in particular at least 0.60 m, in particular at least 0.70 m, in particular at least 0.80 m, in particular at least 0.90 m, in particular at least 1.00 m, in particular at least 1.10 m, and / or at most 1.50 m, in particular at most 1.40 m, in particular at most 1.30 m, in particular at most 1.20 m, in particular at most 1.10 m, in particular at most 1.00 m.

[0019] These dimensions are preferred to allow the handling device to be operated by one person, the handling device being designed to allow a person to manually insert poultry animals into the guide rails and remove them, preferably without having to reposition them.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the actuation mechanism is designed to reduce the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support from an insertion position to a functional position.

[0021] A preferred further development is characterized in that the actuating mechanism is designed to reduce the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support from a release position to a functional position and / or to an insertion position.

[0022] Preferably, the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support can be varied between different positions, particularly preferred here being a working position where the distance is minimal, a release position where the distance is maximal and an insertion position where the distance lies between the working position and the release position.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the handling device comprises a first functional device and preferably a second functional device.

[0024] Such a functional device can preferably be used to carry out actions on poultry animals, in particular in the functional position.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the actuation mechanism is designed to initiate at least one change in the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support and to actuate at least the first and / or second functional device, in particular in response to a sensor signal. Thus, the actuation mechanism is preferably not only capable of initiating and / or executing a change in the distance, but also of actuating one or more or all functional devices, preferably simultaneously or in succession, when or after the functional position is reached.

[0026] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the handling device and / or the first functional device and / or the second functional device constitute a substance provision device, which is particularly advantageous if one or more substances are used, e.g. administered or applied, by the functional device.

[0027] The first and / or the second functional device and / or the substance supply device are preferably designed as modular exchange units, in particular as disposable units. The exchange of the first and / or the second functional device and / or the substance supply device is preferably carried out in particular after handling of a number of poultry animals, in particular a poultry animal house group or a poultry animal subgroup. In this way, hygiene and safety requirements, for example to prevent the spread of diseases, can be met in a particularly efficient manner.

[0028] It is further preferred that the guide rail is arranged substantially horizontally, and that the two guide legs are arranged opposite each other, and that a poultry animal holder is formed between the two guide legs.

[0029] A further preferred further development provides that the poultry animal support has a shape which is ergonomic for the poultry animal and / or has a recess therein and / or has a chest stop.

[0030] These embodiments serve in particular to ensure that the poultry animal can be introduced particularly gently and safely between the guide legs and can be positioned and (partially) fixed particularly gently and safely between the guide rail and the poultry animal support.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferred that the poultry animal supports are arranged to be movable in particular vertically relative to the guide rails, preferably only vertically relative to the guide rails, which results in an efficient and robust design.

[0032] Further preferred embodiments provide for guide legs that are widened and / or flattened and / or rounded at the first end of the guide rail. These embodiments also serve in particular to allow the introduction of the poultry animal between the guide legs in a particularly gentle and safe manner.

[0033] In particular, the guide leg preferably has a stop, in particular for the user's hand, at the second end of the guide rail. This has the advantage that the user knows how far to insert the poultry animal. Preferably, the sensor of the actuation mechanism is designed to detect the position of the user's hand in the stop position or the position of the poultry animal when the user's hand reaches the stop position, so as to preferably activate the functional position and, if applicable, the functional device.

[0034] Furthermore, a preferably flexible holding down device is preferably arranged between the guide legs and / or in the poultry animal holder. This holding down device can be used to ensure that the poultry animal assumes a certain body posture, in particular a head posture. This is advantageous in certain handling tasks. It is particularly advantageous if the holding down device is arranged at the location of the second functional device. The holding down device can be designed, for example, as a rubber lip, a brush and / or a thread curtain.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the handling device has a mobile chassis, in particular a chassis with rollers, preferably at least two rollers, in particular at least three rollers, preferably exactly four rollers. This allows the handling device to be easily moved to different sheds or parts of sheds. The chassis can have a drive device for moving the handling device between different locations. The chassis can have a brake device and / or a locking device.

[0036] Preferably, the essential elements of the handling device, in particular the guide rails and / or the functional devices and / or the actuating mechanisms and / or the material supply devices, are arranged in the chassis, in particular so that they do not protrude laterally and / or laterally in the chassis.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the handling device comprises an additional structure for wing vaccination, which has a drive mechanism designed to move the needle back and forth, in particular in a horizontally aligned plane. Preferably, this additional structure comprises two parts, namely a first part and a second part. Preferably, the first part of the additional structure has a drive mechanism designed to move the needle back and forth, in particular in a horizontally aligned plane. Preferably, such a needle can be pushed and locked afterwards into the tube of the drive mechanism. The tube is preferably driven by a crank drive and is preferably sealed against the outside, so that dirt can be prevented from entering the drive mechanism. Preferably, a plastic cartridge can be attached to the drive mechanism, in which, for example, a vaccine can be attached. Such a vaccine is preferably additionally removed from the operator's hand by the cartridge, thus increasing the safety of the operator. Preferably, the vaccine flows via a channel in the cartridge to the tip of the needle, wetting it. A further tube, preferably located in the region of the second part, can extend opposite the needle, whereby this further tube can preferably form a counter-pressure point for the needle so that the skin of the wing of the poultry animal can be pierced more easily. The entire wing vaccination structure is preferably movable along the insertion direction of the poultry animal. This means that the position of the needle can be adapted in a particularly advantageous way to the anatomical structure of the individual poultry animal.

[0038] As a further preferred further development, the first functional device comprises a preferably height-adjustable needle device, which preferably comprises at least two needle generators for one, two or more needles, respectively, preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and / or at an angle of at least 15 degrees and / or at most 25 degrees with respect to a vertical and / or perpendicular plane containing the longitudinal axis.

[0039] Such a needle device advantageously allows for thoracic vaccination of poultry animals with a vaccine substance.

[0040] In a further preferred embodiment, a second functional device is provided, which preferably has a needle arranged essentially horizontally. The needle is preferably arranged on the guide rail, in particular on one of the two guide legs. The needle is also preferably arranged to pierce the skin of a poultry animal placed on the poultry animal support, in particular in the inner wing area. Furthermore, the needle is preferably arranged above the flexible presser device. The second functional device is preferably used for inoculating poultry animals with smallpox vaccines.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the above mentioned problem is solved by a method for handling poultry animals, in particular live poultry animals, preferably in a handling device, in particular in the above mentioned handling device, in particular manually, which method comprises inserting the poultry animal between two guide legs of a guide rail, positioning the breast of the poultry animal on a poultry animal support and increasing the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support from a functional position to a release position, in particular vertically, preferably by means of an actuating mechanism.

[0042] The method is preferably further characterized in that when the poultry animal is inserted between the two guide legs of the guide rail, the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support corresponds to an insertion position, and that the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support decreases from the insertion position to a functional position after the poultry animal has been inserted, particularly in response to a sensor signal.

[0043] The method is preferably further characterized in that at least one first functional device is actuated before the distance between the guide rail and the poultry animal support is increased from the functional position to the release position.

[0044] The method is further preferably characterized in that after handling a plurality of poultry animals, in particular a poultry house population or a poultry house subpopulation, the first functional device and / or the second functional device and / or the substance provision device are replaced, preferably as modular replacement units, in particular disposable units.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, the above mentioned problem is solved by the use of a handling device as described above, in particular for handling live poultry animals, preferably in or in front of a poultry animal house and / or in the manner as described above.

[0046] With regard to the advantages, preferred embodiments and details of the individual aspects and their preferred embodiments, reference is made also to the corresponding advantages, preferred embodiments and details explained with reference to the respective other aspects.

[0047] Further advantageous embodiments result from combining either one or several or all of the preferred features described herein.

[0048] Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary handling device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in the insertion position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in the insertion position. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a side view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in a functional position with the functional device stored. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in a functional position with the functional device stored therein. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in a functional position with the functional device extended. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in the functional position with the functional device extended. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in the release position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the handling device according to FIG. 1 in the release position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary method for handling poultry animals, particularly manually. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the wing vaccination set-up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional table view of an exemplary handling device 1. Figures 2 and 3 show the handling device according to Figure 1 in the insertion position P0, Figures 4 and 5 show the handling device according to Figure 1 in the functional position P1 with the functional devices 410, 420 retracted, Figures 6 and 7 show the handling device according to Figure 1 in the functional position P1 with the functional devices 410, 420 extended, and Figures 8 and 9 show the handling device according to Figure 1 in the release position P2. Figure 10 shows an exemplary method, in particular for manual handling of poultry animals, in a schematic manner.

[0051] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. A general description generally refers to all embodiments unless differences are clearly indicated.

[0052] The handling device 1 comprises a guide rail 100 having two guide legs 110 extending between a first end 101 and a second end 102, and a poultry animal support 200 for placing the breast of the poultry animal thereon.

[0053] The guide rail 100 is substantially horizontal and has two guide legs 110 arranged opposite each other. Between the two guide legs 110 is formed a poultry animal holder 120. The guide legs 110 are widened and / or flattened and rounded at a first end 101 of the guide rail 100.

[0054] The handling device 1 does not have a transport device for transporting poultry animals through the handling device 1, in particular from the first end 101 to the second end 102 and / or into and / or out of the handling device 1, in particular in a fully or partially automatic manner.

[0055] The user grasps the poultry animal and its wings and inserts it into the handling device 1 from the first end 101 between the guide legs 110 so that the poultry animal's breast fits into the recess 210 of the ergonomically shaped poultry animal support 200. The poultry animal is inserted until the user's hands reach the stops 301 at the second end 102 of the guide rails 110 and the poultry animal's breastbone rests against the breast stop 211.

[0056] The poultry animal support 200 is arranged to be movable in a vertical direction, in particular only in a vertical direction, relative to the guide rail 100. The handling device 1 also comprises an actuating mechanism 300, which is designed to vary the distance, in particular in the vertical direction, between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200. The actuating mechanism 300 is especially designed to initiate a series of distance changes between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200.

[0057] The actuation mechanism 300 is designed to reduce the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 from an insertion position P0 (shown in Figures 2 and 3) to a functional position P1 (shown in Figures 4-7) and then to a release position P2 (shown in Figures 8 and 9). Since the distance at the release position P2 is greater than the distance at the insertion position P0, the actuation mechanism 300 can reduce the distance from the release position P2 back to the insertion position P0 after the poultry animal is released, to prepare the handling device 1 for the insertion of the next poultry animal.

[0058] The actuation mechanism 300 comprises a sensor 302 and is designed to initiate an increase and / or decrease of the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 in response to a sensor signal. The sensor 302 is preferably arranged and designed to detect the position of the user's hand at the stop 301 and / or the position of the poultry animal at the chest stop 211 and preferably thereafter generate a sensor signal, in particular to decrease the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 from the insertion position P0 to the functional position P1.

[0059] The handling device 1 further comprises a first functional device 410 and preferably a second functional device 420. Furthermore, the handling device 1 may comprise a substance providing device which may in particular be configured to provide one or more substances to the first functional device 410 and / or the second functional device 420.

[0060] The actuating mechanism 300 is preferably designed to actuate at least a first functional device 410 as well as to initiate a change in at least one distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200, in particular in response to a sensor signal.

[0061] The first functional device 410 comprises a height-adjustable needle device 411, which comprises two needle generators for one, two or more needles, respectively, which are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and obliquely with respect to the vertical.

[0062] The second functional device 420 has a substantially horizontally arranged needle 421, which is arranged on the guide rail 100, in particular on one of the two guide legs 110. The needle 421 is arranged to pierce the skin of a poultry animal placed on the poultry animal support 200, in particular in the inner wing area.

[0063] The first functional device 410 and / or the second functional device 420 and / or the substance supply device are preferably designed as modular exchange units, in particular disposable units, which has the advantage that these units can be exchanged after vaccination of a (sub)population of poultry animals in order to meet hygiene, safety and sanitation requirements, in particular to prevent the spread of diseases.

[0064] The handling device 1 further comprises a mobile chassis 20 with four rollers 21. The poultry animal support 200, as well as a first functional device 410, which will be described below, and an actuation mechanism 300, which will also be described below, are arranged within the chassis, in particular laterally of the chassis, and do not protrude laterally.

[0065] The handling device 1 is preferably used for handling poultry animals, in particular manually, in an exemplary method 1000, which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10. For this purpose, in a first step 1001, a poultry animal is inserted into an insertion position P0 of the handling device 1 between two guide legs 110 of the guide rail 100, and the breast area of ​​the poultry animal is placed on the poultry animal support 200. When the user's hand reaches the stop 301 and / or when the poultry animal reaches the breastbone stop 211, in step 1002 the sensor 302 sends a signal, which causes the actuating mechanism 300 to reduce the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 from the insertion position P0 to a functional position P1, and preferably also actuates the first and second functional devices 410, 420.

[0066] Subsequently, in step 1003, the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 is increased from the working position P1 to a release position P2 by the operating mechanism 300, and the poultry animal is released.

[0067] Then, in step 1004, the distance between the guide rail 100 and the poultry animal support 200 is returned from the release position P2 to the insertion position P0 by the actuation mechanism 300 and the handling device 1 is ready for the insertion of the next poultry animal in a repeat of step 1001. To trigger step 1004, preferably a light barrier can be used as a sensor.

[0068] After handling a plurality of poultry animals, in particular a poultry animal house population or a poultry animal house sub-population, the first functional device 410 and / or the second functional device 420 and / or the substance providing device can be replaced in step 1005, preferably as a modular replacement unit, in particular a disposable unit.

[0069] FIG. 11 shows an additional structure 500 of a poultry animal handling device as described herein. This additional structure 500 can in particular be integrated into such a handling device and / or be arranged next to such a handling device. This additional structure 500 is a structure for wing vaccination, for example for smallpox vaccination. The assembly 500 for wing vaccination comprises two parts, a first part 500a and a second part 500b. The first part 500a of the structure 500 has a drive mechanism 510, in particular designed to move a needle back and forth in a horizontally aligned plane. Such a needle can be pushed from behind and locked into a tube 511 of the mechanism. The tube 511 is preferably driven by a crank drive and is preferably sealed towards the outside to prevent the ingress of dirt into the drive mechanism 510. A cartridge 530, preferably made of plastic, can be attached to the drive mechanism 510, in which a vaccine 520 can be attached. The vaccine 520 is further removed from the operator's reach by means of this cartridge 530, thus improving the safety of the operator. The vaccine 520 flows through the cartridge 530 via a channel to the tip of the needle and wets it. Preferably, on the opposite side of the needle, a further tube 550 can extend, arranged in the region of the portion 540, which can form a counter pressure point for the needle so that the skin of the wing of the poultry animal can be pierced more easily. The entire wing vaccination structure 500 can preferably be moved along the insertion direction of the poultry animal. In this way, the position of the needle can be adapted to the anatomical structure of the individual poultry animal in a particularly preferred manner.

Claims

1. A poultry animal handling device (1), in particular a handling device (1) for assisting manual handling of poultry animals, comprising: A guide rail (100) extending between a first end (101) and a second end (102) and having two guide legs (110); a poultry animal support (200) for supporting the breast of the poultry animal; Poultry animal handling equipment (1).

2. does not comprise a conveying device for conveying the poultry animals through the handling device (1), in particular from the first end (101) to the second end (102) and / or into and / or out of the handling device (1), in particular fully or partly automatically, Handling device (1) according to claim 1.

3. characterised by an actuation mechanism (300) designed in particular to initiate a series of distance changes between said guide rail (100) and said poultry animal support (200) in response to a sensor signal, Handling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. said actuation mechanism (300) is designed to increase the distance between said guide rail (100) and said poultry animal support (200), in particular vertically, from a functional position (P1) to a release position (P2); said actuation mechanism (300) having a sensor (302) and designed to initiate an increase and / or decrease of the distance between said guide rail (100) and said poultry animal support (200) in response to a sensor signal; Handling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the distance between said first end (101) and said second end (102) is at most 1.50 m; and / or The floor area of ​​the handling device (1) is 1.80m x 1.00m, and / or the height of the handling device (1), in particular of the first end (101) and / or the second end (102), is at least 0.60 m and / or at most 1.20 m; Handling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. characterised in that the actuating mechanism (300) is designed to reduce the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) from an insertion position (P0) to a functional position (P1); and / or characterised in that the actuating mechanism (300) is designed to reduce the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) from a release position (P2) to a functional position (P1) and / or an insertion position (P0), Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The handling device (1) is characterized in that it has a first functional device (410) and preferably a second functional device (420), Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. characterised in that the actuating mechanism (300) is designed to initiate at least one change in the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) in response to a sensor signal and to actuate at least the first and / or the second functional device (410), Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. the handling device (1) and / or the first functional device (410) and / or the second functional device (420) are provided with the substance providing device, Preferably, the first functional device (410) and / or the second functional device (420) and / or the substance supply device are designed as modular exchange units, in particular disposable units. Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. said guide rail (100) being arranged substantially horizontally; and / or characterized in that the two guide legs (110) are arranged opposite each other; and / or and / or characterized in that a poultry animal holder (120) is formed between the two guide legs (110); said poultry animal support (200) is ergonomically shaped for said poultry animal and / or has a recess (210) therein and / or is characterized by having a chest stop (211) and / or the poultry animal support (200) is arranged to be movable in particular vertically relative to the guide rail (100), preferably the poultry animal support (200) is arranged to be movable only vertically relative to the guide rail (100) and / or the guide legs (110) are characterized in that they are widened and / or flattened and / or rounded at the first end (101) of the guide rail (100); and / or the guide leg (110) is characterized in that it has a stop (301) at the second end (102) of the guide rail (100); and / or characterised in that a preferably flexible hold-down device is arranged between the guide legs (110) and / or within the poultry animal holder (120); and / or said handling device (1) being characterised in that it has a mobile chassis, in particular a chassis on rollers; an additional structure (500) for wing vaccination is provided, characterized in that it has a drive mechanism (510) designed in particular to move the needle back and forth in a horizontally aligned plane, Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. said first functional device (410) is preferably height adjustable and preferably comprises at least two needle generators for one, two or more needles respectively, said needle generators being preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis and / or arranged at an angle of at least 15 degrees and / or up to 25 degrees with respect to a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis and / or a vertical plane, Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. characterised in that the second functional device (420) has a needle (421) which is preferably arranged essentially horizontally, the needle (421) being preferably arranged on the guide rail (100), in particular on one of the two guide legs (110), and / or the needle (421) is arranged to pierce the skin, in particular the inner wing area, of the poultry animal preferably resting on the poultry animal support (200), and / or the needle (421) is preferably arranged above a flexible pressing device, Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method (1000) for handling the poultry animals, in particular manually, preferably in the handling device (1), in accordance with at least one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: inserting (1001) the poultry animal between the two guide legs (110) of the guide rail (100) and placing the breast of the poultry animal on the poultry animal support (200); increasing (1003) the distance between said guide rail (100) and said poultry animal support (200), preferably by said actuation mechanism (300), in particular vertically, from said functional position (P1) to said release position (P2), Handling method (1000).

14. and / or characterized in that when the poultry animal is introduced (1001) between the two guide legs (110) of the guide rail (100), the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) corresponds to an insertion position (P0), and that after the poultry animal has been inserted, the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) is reduced (1002) from the insertion position (P0) to a functional position (P1), in particular in response to a sensor signal; and / or and / or characterized in that at least one first functional device is activated (1002) before the distance between the guide rail (100) and the poultry animal support (200) is increased (1003) from the functional position (P1) to the release position (P2). - exchanging (1005) the first functional device (410) and / or the second functional device (420) and / or the substance provision device, preferably as a modular exchange unit, in particular as a disposable unit, after handling a plurality of poultry animals, in particular a poultry animal house group or a poultry animal house subgroup.

14. The method (1000) of claim 13.

15. Use of a handling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for handling poultry animals, preferably in or in front of a poultry animal shed and / or in a method (1000) according to claim 13 or 14.

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