best method for killing turkeys?

[patandchickens]

So big handsome Larry and his two girlfriends Moe and Curly (well, hey, you can't tell the sex when they're cute and little and getting named

) are about 18 weeks now and their days are definitely numbered. I will probably not do them for another month or so, but it will take me that long to screw up my resolution for it. I don't have a big problem doing meat chickens, but Larry Moe and Curly are more like pets. Albeit big, meaty pets (BBBs). *sigh*.

Anyhow, I am trying to work out how exactly I am going to kill them. With the chickens I either use an axe, or stretch their necks and then slit their throats in a cone. I can't imagine being able to effectively break Larry's neck, just b/c he is so BIG (some of the larger chickens I've had a bit of trouble getting it done in a sufficiently instantaneous manner). And as far as an axe goes, I do not know how I would restrain them enough to not do severe damage to both themselves and bystanders in flapping around.

I have tried debraining, the knife into the mouth approach, on two chickens last year and the results were so unsuccessful that I am NOT trying that ever again unless I can find someone to teach me how to do better.

So, what do I do? Hang them in a cone and slit their throats? Or is there some way of preventing dangerous flapping if I use an axe? Or is there some better method you prefer?

They are just, golly, so LARGE. Plus which they are sort of my buddies so I want to make extra sure that I do not cause any undue suffering.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Indiana hens]

You can use any SAW movie as a reference!

 

[first time farmer]

When i did it last year for my girlfriends family i just got close and shot it in the head with a 12 guage. Worked just as good as an ax or cutting the throats. Infact i think its quicker but thats just me.

 

[Southerngirl]

We use a large thick board with 2 nails driven side by side. We then place the chicken or turkey neck in between the nails. We zip tie the legs together too. After the neck is placed in between the nails, we use old hay bailing twine and lace in between the nails to help tie them down. Then when DH gets ready to use the axe I pull on the legs to stretch the neck out a little. This is what works for us.

 

[jaku]

I do the cone/slice method on chickens, so I'd say either that or a .22 to the head.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

a gentle word of warning.. um... big turkeys are STRONG so be careful. its more of a fight than with chickens. and we've experienced a lot of flapping. we slit their throats with my hubby holding them down.

and a tip - we pluck ours..but be sure you have a big enough tub to get them in the hot water! we use one of those big plastic tubs - like the ones you see at the grocery stores during the summer?? use all the big stock pots to get hot water and fill the tub up enough to dunk them.

cant wait for turkey time... yum!