Someone care to talk me through the broom handle method?

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Jocasta

Jocasta

Songster
8 Years
Apr 8, 2011
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I've got four turkeys that are all due for dispatch in time for Christmas. It seems like Christmas is fast approaching and I'm getting increasingly antsy about the prospect of dispatch
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The darn things got Blackhead several weeks ago and I had to nurse them back to health which resulted in my getting far too attached - that coupled with the fact that they are totally awesome birds... Alas, I digress.

Basically, I want to try the traditional game bird hanging method so ideally I want the skin in tact. Also, in the UK, the only legal method for home slaughter is dislocation (I know that no one will technically know but I'd like to stay within the law of the land if at all possible). Someone mentioned the broom handle method. Anyone here got any experience? Care to talk me through it?

TIA
 
i know how to do the broomstick method for rabbits.. I am assuming it would be the same for birds.. but not sure I would want to do a turkey that way.. I think those wings flopping would be a bit dangerous!

there are videos on youtube (or at least used to be for broomsticking rabbits)
for a rabbit, you hold the rabbit by the back feet (supporting it's body with your other hand) and rest it's head on the ground.. place a broomstick across it's neck and step on both ends of the stick.. then pull sharply on the rabbit's feet which dislocates the rabbits head from it's spine

personally i'll stick with shooting the birds in the head.. they bleed out fast and so long as it's a well placed shot they die instantly
 
Yes, the wings are going to be a bit of a problem. It would have to be a two person operation.

Catch the turkey.
Hold both legs firmly in one hand.
Invert turkey (head down) still holding turkey legs.
Maintain this position until the turkey calms and wings are not flapping.
Lower turkey head to the ground. (head only)
Place the broom stick across the neck, near the head.
(I'm thinking one person holding the body/legs and someone else placing the broom over the neck.)
Hold each end of the broom stick firmly in place with your feet.
Give a quick pull and dislocation will occur. It doesn't take much effort.

I wouldn't jerk because you may pull the head from under the broom stick.
And don't pull long and hard because the head will come completely off.

I haven't used this method on a turkey but I have used it on a chicken. (one person operation)

Good luck.
 
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I was actually thinking of doing just that - I've got a really long muslin that would likely serve my purpose well
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I have always thought that the medical wrap that sticks only to itself would be awesome for this. I was going to save this idea until I actually tried it on a turkey.
 
I had a friend offer to use this method on the 7 roosters I had, and I spoke with a vet about it and she was a little concerned that if the animal was not pulled from the shoulder region, chances were there would be several other dislocations (legs, lower spine . . . ) before the neck dislocated. Which got me thinking that it is probably a method best left to the experts. So I opted for an axe, and she said this method is twice as good as if the animal needs to be bled - opening a main atery while it is still alive will allow the heart to pump more blood out quickly. All made sense to me. Not trying to talk you out of it, just food for thought.
 

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