Best Kill Cones???

[U_Stormcrow]

Looking for recommends, believe I will need more than one.

What do you recommend (Brand, Size, etc) as the best kill cones for processing a small number of birds, and why???

I have to process Pekin Ducks, overlarge Cornish X (12 weeks+), and eventually birds as small as Golden Comets, with the NH Rainbows and Brahma filling the middle ground of size and weight.

Any other tips re: location to place said cones, ground cover under said cones, etc would of course be appreciated.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You want cones that the head and neck can slide theough, but aren't big enough to let the bird flap around in. You'll have to buy multiple cones for the birds you listed

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, that's what I expected - but reading reviews on Amazon, it appears the #1 complaint is that the wrong size was bought, and the #2 complaint is that the wrong shape was bought.

This forum being FAR more experienced than the typical Amazon reviewer, I figured I'd go straight to the people who have done this more than a few years, and actually knew what breeds they were butchering....

 

[R2elk]

Yes, that's what I expected - but reading reviews on Amazon, it appears the #1 complaint is that the wrong size was bought, and the #2 complaint is that the wrong shape was bought.

This forum being FAR more experienced than the typical Amazon reviewer, I figured I'd go straight to the people who have done this more than a few years, and actually knew what breeds they were butchering....

You should do a search for kill cones in the Meat Birds ETC forum.

 

[BGcoop]

We only have regular sized chickens, but honestly we just use cheap traffic cones my DH got from the local hardware store. As far as ground cover what we do is place a wheelbarrow with a layer of sawdust in it underneath cones (we have 2- and we kind of assembly line work: DH does the beheading, then when they stop flapping the kids and I pluck, when someone is done plucking, another gets beheaded, etc.) the sawdust really helps with the cleanup at the end.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks R2Elk, I have. Lots of posts, very few details of the sort I am seeking.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Examples:

I have 3 sizes and the CX didn't fit in any of mine right. People cut up bleach bottles I use a cut up kitty litter jug I put electrical tape around the ankles ...

Links to a useful web page on proper butchering of pekins (with an axe) - [I saved it as useful]

Looking to get a few kill cones for my Freedom Rangers and was wonder which size has worked the best, M2 or M3, for the folks who have used these cones for processing their FR birds? - [would be useful to me, but no one answered]

Numerous posts on killing Cornish X at 5-6 weeks - [mine are a good bit larger, not currently helpful]

Posts on making cones from jugs, aluminum flashing, etc.

Someone who put a cone setup in the bucket of their tractor ...

So, I asked.

 

[iwltfum]

I think r2elk was saying that maybe this post would be better answered if it were posted in the meat bird section.

Cones can be tricky. First off, I would recommend not buying poultry supplies on amazon. Look at strombergs, cornerstone farm ventures, premier one, and I'm sure there are some other decent poultry suppliers out there.

You are looking at butchering a very wide range of sizes so you may need several sizes of cones. We have the medium cone from strombergs and it works well for birds from 2pounds up to 6 or 7 pounds.

I have always had to tie the feet together no matter the size fo the bird or what type of cone I'm using - you will always get the occasional escapee if you don't, and a chicken popping out of the cone after having it's throat cut is not fun.

For really big birds, like 10-12 pounds or more, I would go with a cone that is suitable for small-medium turkeys. It's better to have a cone that's a little big than a little small.

I attached my cones to a thick board and then attached some barn door closers to the other side (the kind you just slide a 2x4 over both swinging doors to keep the doors closed) and then I just hang that set-up on a 2x4 sawhorse with a feed trough under with shavings to catch the blood (like what @BGcoop mentioned). All the blood soaks into the shavings and then I dump the guts and feathers in the shavings too at the end of the day and bury it all in the compost pile.

Hope this helps!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

@BGcoop thanks - do you rake up the sawdust later, or is it simply another "deep litter system"? It sounds like you are raking, but I don't want to assume.

Unfortunately, traffic cone doesn't help - I know its a popular answer, but in my neck of the woods, there are numerous traffic cone sizes - but a I do appreciate you system description. Also, I'm leaning towards metal cones (stainless or aluminum) to aid in sanitizing.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks @iwltfum for the description of your system as well. Amazon is simply where I start, for variety and a "general overview" - like checking wikipedia first for a broad enough overview that you can then conduct actual research.

On the feet, are you using tape, a slip knot crafted with a half hitch (nylon, I assume?), or????


And I did consider the Meat Birds thread, but after reading the responses there, and acknowledging that my CornishX are older than normal for processing, and others of my flock are primarily egg layers, I decided (perhaps erroneously) that the more generic "Managing your Flock" heading might solicit better results to my inquiry.