Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing appendage tissue from avian species such as domestic fowl and principally from commercial chickens and turkeys is disclosed. When the appendage is the beak, the method is known as debeaking and the invention is a method comprised of the step of burning and simultaneously cauterizing a hole through a portion of a bird's beak in order to damage the tissue and precipitate eventual rejection thereof outwardly from the point of damage, and apparatus which includes means adapted to position the bird's beak between and in contact with opposing electrodes projecting into the apparatus which effect the burning as aforesaid. A power source for the electrodes providing an open circuit voltage of sufficient magnitude to initiate current flow through the beak when opposing sides of the beak contact the electrodes. With current flow initiated, the power souce current increases toward a maximum short circuit value sufficient to cause burning of the portion of the beak between the electrodes, while the voltage drops to a value sufficient to maintain the desired current. The preferred control for the power source determines a time integral of current flowing through the bird's beak and, upon reaching a predetermined time integral of current value, the control de-energizes the power source.

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First Claim