Best killing knife (or other implement)

[lilchickenz]

So yesterday I needed to kill one of my roos and this was only my 2nd time killing a chicken. I read this article https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-humanely-euthanize-chicken-by-dr/ and decided that decapitation would be the easiest. I didn't quite understand the cervical separation method described in the article. I have this knife: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JPEMNU2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It's brand new and extremely sharp. Yet I was shocked by how much strength and pressure it took for me to cut off the entire head and unfortunately I had a false start causing the bird to suffer more than I would have liked . I'm wondering if there is a better knife or other implement that can be used with the cone? Also if using the knife where is the best place on the bird's neck to start the cut?

 

[Molpet]

I have gone to a PVC pipe cutter. It cuts through the neck bones easily. Even 6 months turkey. Sometimes leaves it attached by some skin

Some have a replacement blade,
menards carries one.

 

[iwltfum]

I never try to cut through the neck bones with my knife. Esesically my killing knife. I use a high carbon dexter sticking knife to cut the carotid artery and let the bird bleed, scald, pluck, then pull the head off at the cut site on the neck and cut the feet through the tendon at the "knee". But as long as you have your knife sharp, you can use it to make the kill cut. Learn how to sharpen your butchering knifes to a mirror finish and you can use any knife, but the more you hit bone and feather, the quicker it will dull and it will happen very fast if your not being picky about not touching the hard stuff with your super sharp knives. Use a very rigid and soft-steel (like stainless) boning knife for times when you might hit a bone.

 

[archeryrob]

I like the Idea of the PVC cutter Molpet posted. Easy and simple. Cones work but I need several and all the work to setup and store them. Last time I killed 9 roosters in 5 minutes easily.

I use a carpenters Hatchet as I have one around for splitting wood to start the smoker. I have some RR ties not far from the coop and some 2x4 scrap laying on them. I hang them upside down for 15 - 20 second by the feet. They get docile. Line the neck up on the block and off the head comes. Hold them another 20 - 30 seconds and into the sled if we killing a bunch of roosters.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Would a sharp kitchen knife work to quickly slit the neck? Sadly it is time to start culling birds here and we're trying to make it as painless as possible. Thx,

VERY sharp, yes. Someone hold the chicken upside down or on its back so the breast is facing upwards. An adult to help you, so they don't let go at the wrong moment and can hold on tight when you cut. You fold your free hand around the head gently but firmly, stretch the neck out, and cut SWIFTLY and FIRMLY downwards and away from you and your helper, so that you're cutting from the underside of the jawline through the back of the neck, just below the jaw. Don't hesitate, don't start then stop. Take a deep breath, ready yourself, and DO it.

I've tried laying the bird on a board, stretching it out, and cutting or chopping through the neck into the board. Doesn't work. It's a messy inefficient process and likely painful to the bird. If you DO use a surface to lay the bird on, be sure it's easily cut into - like the butt end of a post or soft log (cutting INTO the grain instead of across it). SHARP hatchet, axe, meat cleaver, machete, etc..... And don't be wimpy about it - use some force and do it fast.

Before I got my PVC cutters and killing cone ( <----- THIS by FAR the BEST method I've found!!!), I also used a pair of kitchen tongs with open bent wire ends to grip the bird's head firmly, so I could chop down without fear of cutting my helper's hand off. I've also done it on a board with a couple of crossed nails, or a tree-branch with a tight "V" wedged into the end of the board - and wedge the bird's head in there while I stretch the body and neck out with the other. Still not foolproof. At the last moment, the bird is likely to panic and you'll strike air, feathers, a beak, a wing, half the head, or miss the jugular and spinal cord ..... never mind.

Great. Now I'll be ruminating on these mental images all day.

 

[iwltfum]

Would a sharp kitchen knife work to quickly slit the neck? Sadly it is time to start culling birds here and we're trying to make it as painless as possible. Thx,

Yes. A pairing knife might be easier to handle than a chef's knife but either one would do the trick.

 

[raingarden]

I use poultry shears.

 

[ssramage]

I like this knife for most butchering and then use a Dexter boning knife if needed.

https://www.outdooredge.com/products/razor-lite-edc

 

[ladybrasa]

We’ve used tree loppers plus cone for more or less same effect as the PVC cutter mentioned above. Must keep sharp though! Head might still hang on by bit of skin or esophagus or tendon or something, but all the important stuff is cut and for all intents and purposes decapitated.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I use a meat cleaver, here’s a little ‘how to’ I put together a while back

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/calling-any-one-from-missouri.73271/post-22823666