Broomstick method question

[DinB]

Perhaps having a dull knife is why you cut yourself so often. A sharp knife is less likely to slip.

LOL. Actually, I only cut myself when I use sharp knives. A few years ago, I bought two new knives and I was the Bandaid Kid until I finally put them in the dishwasher instead of hand washing them and dulled them. I am a self-employed body worker and can't work if my hands are cut, so it's a financial hazard. I cook a lot, and have a lot of practice safely cutting and chopping, but when I use a sharp knife--watch out. Holding down a live chicken and trying to do it--not gonna try it.

 

[pennyJo1960]

another method is starter fluid sprayed in a baggie

 

[paneubert]

another method is starter fluid sprayed in a baggie

I can confirm this works and seems to be fairly painless. Works because it is usually at least half ether, the stuff they used to use to knock people out for surgery. You can buy "high percentage of ether" starter fluid on Amazon that I believe is around 60-70% ether. I would have to go check mine. I have had to put down a few quail chicks as well as a 2 year old quail. All went fairly quick and peaceful. No thrashing around. Just sort of passed out and then stopped breathing. As creepy as it sounds, I felt the need to watch and make sure it was a fairly quick process. If it seemed to be taking too long, I was ready to spray some more fluid on a paper towel to put in there to up the percentage of ether. But that has not been needed so far.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

An injection of sodium pentobarbital and they quietly go to sleep without muscle spasms and all the associated ugliness.

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We raise a lot of swine. Some have a chance of deformation etc. Our Mobile Vet issued us this drug. It is not not an over the counter item. And trust me. It is administered only as a last resort. It is the same method used by animal shelters and Veterinary specialist as a humanely alternative to suffering and misery.
Not proud to use it in any way shape or form. But takes the edge of the situation

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Not an easy to forget process no matter what method is carried out. Especially implemented towards an animal you raised and have a deep emotional bond with. A dark territory to say the least. As well as a traumatic & psychologically impressionable memory to anyone bearing a conscience.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Not an easy to forget process no matter what method is carried out. Especially implemented towards an animal you raised and have a deep emotional bond with. A dark territory to say the least. As well as a traumatic & psychologically impressionable memory to anyone bearing a conscience.

You make a good point, it should never be easy, emotionally, to a life, any life.
But I think the topic is àbout the various methods and what works best, when needed for others on the site. It's a sensitive topic to say the least, but for those who are limited to what they have available, I believe it's admirable to seek information on the most humane way to go about it given what's individually available. Just a thought.

 

[DuckPro]

An injection of sodium pentobarbital and they quietly go to sleep without muscle spasms and all the associated ugliness.

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I agree. I've tried that with my cat bitten poor silkie and she fell sound asleep..
I still get hurt when I remember her...

 

[andreanar]

I admire your courage! I hope Ill be as brave when the day comes that I am faced with this. I'm no vet, nor experienced at chicken processing, but I am a nurse and can assure you that there is movement in bodies after death cause by electrical impulses. Even human heads that are quickly cut off, have been reported to blink for a bit. You did right by your chicken to end her suffering.

 

[aart]

It's never easy...first time is definitely the hardest.
First time I slit a jugular to slaughter a bird for meat,
the stress adrenaline about knocked me off my feet,
and took a good 30 minutes to recede.

I use Cervical Dislocation to euthanize sick birds.
It took many hours to find a video using a broomstick where the head didn't come off.

Cervical Dislocation is shown in this video at about 1:00,

it's the only CD video I've found that doesn't remove the head.

Notice the slight divot in the ground under the stick and neck, this will keep the bird from being choked and struggling.

Notice that she slowly stretches out the neck and legs before giving the short sharp jerk that breaks the neck , this is key to success, IMO.

I've found this technique to be very effective.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

LOL. Actually, I only cut myself when I use sharp knives. A few years ago, I bought two new knives and I was the Bandaid Kid until I finally put them in the dishwasher instead of hand washing them and dulled them. I am a self-employed body worker and can't work if my hands are cut, so it's a financial hazard. I cook a lot, and have a lot of practice safely cutting and chopping, but when I use a sharp knife--watch out. Holding down a live chicken and trying to do it--not gonna try it.

http://www.superiorglove.com/work-gloves/cut-resistant-gloves/stainless-steel-cut-resistant-gloves
These are excellent.