Patent ID: 6848987

Claim:
A method of preparing poultry for slaughter comprising: providing a plurality of gated cages, each cage containing several poultry; advancing said cages of live poultry in succession to a chamber; successively sedating the several live poultry in each cage in said chamber by subjecting them to an atmosphere of about 20% to about 40% CO 2 for a time sufficient to calm said live poultry to a tranquil state; successively rendering said sedated live poultry to a state of live unconsciousness by subjecting them to an atmosphere of about 55% to about 75% CO 2 for a time sufficient to render said sedated live poultry unconscious but still alive; successively advancing each cage of unconscious but alive poultry to a work station; and successively discharging said unconscious live poultry from said gated cages at said station for slaughter.