A bit of advice for our first slaughter

[HeatherLynn]

Ok so introduced my hubby to this site to study a bit. We have found a ton of good info. Here are the questions.

We have read a couple times about strategically placing nails in a stump to hold the chickens head before the hatchet takes it off. Ok before my husband makes me go measure heads any hints on this one. I really want the head off and not the slit the through method. I want it to be as quick as humanly possible.

Next question concerns gutting. Ok we got the cut the hole in the vent and go upward. Then what. Put you hand in a pull? careful split the bird a bit and cut out?

We are slaughtering this weekend ( well he is slaughtering i will be off on the side trying not to be ill ucky ) so any advice is appreciated

 

[Judy]

Cut around the vent, not in it, all the way around. Then hand inside and pull.

I think our nails are just over an inch apart.

 

[jaku]

I make a small hole in the middle of the soft part of the abdomen, then tear it open with my hands at 12 and 6, so it tears horizontally. That way you don't have to worry about cutting anything. Then just reach in and pull.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

We did a few this past weekend. DH wanted no part, so it was me and my FIL. I made a killing cone out of cardboard, put the chicken in, and put a garbage can with a plastic garbage bag in underneath. Then I held the chickens head with one hand and I cut the head clean off with the other, using an extremely sharp knife. It really wasn't as traumatic for me as I thought it would be, and it was extremely quick for the bird. I felt good knowing that it was fast for the bird. I was worried about the flopping around with the hatchet/stump method, so the cone worked well for us.

Good luck!!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I've tried the nails/stump and it just didn't work for me. I don't have the arm strength and coordination to hold and chop. The cone works for me but if DH is doing it, you'll probably be ok. Nails about an inch apart work well.

I also cut around the vent, don't cut in too far so you hit the intestines and then just pull everything out. If you do hit them, don't panic - just rinse well. Once that's out, slit up a little further so you can get your hand in there and pull everything else out (heart, liver, kidneys, gizzard). You'll really have to get your hands in there to scoop out the lungs - they are along the back. Use the nails and scoop. Might need to cut the neck a little bigger and go in that way. If you are going to piece the bird anyway, cut right down the back and things are easier to find.

It's not so bad once you do the first one. Good luck!!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I find if you place a sock over the chickens head they seem to get a bit calmer and are still while the head is lying on the chopping block and you won't even need nails.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I had wondered about that. Got some funny looks from my mom when I asked what she thought. I'll pull out a couple orphan socks. I just want this to be as quick and stress free on us all including my roos as possible.

 

[AHappychick]

did you see frugals link? I will try to find it

here ya go https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=21

you can do the head off thing and then follow his directions from there. but yes a slit on the sides /upper part of vent then when you cut off the whole thing and get that gland too

Good Luck

 

[scarter]

We did this method with our roosters last fall and I held the bird and hubby held the head and chopped. Beware if you love your birds it is a really hard evening. I was ok only after we took the feathers off. I knew they were well taken care of and it was a quick death. The comical thing to me now is that we were out there reading off directions from the internet with each step. Then we'd question each other and ask if the other one thought what we were doing was right. After the fifth one we had it down.

Two of our roosters charged our daughter so it was time to go. We also have a two year old so we couldn't take any chances what so ever.

 

[Judy]

I held and petted and talked to them as I carried them to the block. They knew me well enough that they calmed quickly. Of course I was saying, it's OK, you're fine.... after all, they understand tone, not words....

The only thing you really have to worry about cutting into is the gall bladder, attached to the liver. Obviously it's better if you don't cut into the intestinal tract, but you probably will, at first; just rinse well. If you open a gall bladder, a bright green liquid comes out (bile,) and it will make anything it touches taste bitter.

It's important to get them in ice water as soon as they're fully cleaned, and to use a slosh of bleach in water for a final cleaning of the cutting table.