Butchering single chicken without cone, needing advice

[humblehillsfarm]

I butchered some Cornish X in Oct, but our neighbor volunteered the equipment and actually cut their throats. I did everything else, and watched the first few have their throats cut, so emotionally I believe I am okay.

I have an extra roo. Hormones hit and he's just too much for my girls, so the time has come. The issue is, I don't have a cone or anything to hang him by his feet. I'll also (unfortunately) be doing it alone. Has anyone ever wrapped them in a towel and held them in their laps to cut the throat? Or is there any other advice? I don't want to use an ax because I can barely hit an nail on the head and I feel far more comfortable in two quick cuts with a knife.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I use a clever and slice then snap the neck most quickest for me amyways

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I use a clever and slice then snap the neck most quickest for me amyways

The issue isn't cutting them as much as it is how to I hold him and cut him? I just want to be quick without hurting him or myself.

 

[Tre3hugger]

You can use a towel and do it in your lap. This lady uses an apron but same idea.

 

[iwltfum]

I used to tie a line (slip knot) around both feet and hang them from a sawhorse before I bought cones. That's how we do turkeys too since they always seem to destroy the cones after a few of them. Super simple. Make sure that whatever you hang them off of is stable so it doesn't jump around when the chicken flaps. A non-cornish roo should not have a problem "flapping out" of his wings. Young cornishx need a cone or they will literally break their wings because their connective tissues are so weak.

 

[Anne02]

Use the broomstick method. I haven't tried it personally, but I've seen a couple videos, and it looks fairly simple. You only need the chicken and a pole of some sort to do it. Lay the chicken down, belly to the ground. Put the pole over their necks, right under the head, standing on either end. Then quickly pull the feet up. It breaks the neck, and sometimes even pops the head right off. Then let it bleed out, and gut it.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Use the broomstick method. I haven't tried it personally, but I've seen a couple videos, and it looks fairly simple. You only need the chicken and a pole of some sort to do it. Lay the chicken down, belly to the ground. Put the pole over their necks, right under the head, standing on either end. Then quickly pull the feet up. It breaks the neck, and sometimes even pops the head right off. Then let it bleed out, and gut it.

Ive used this method for all my roos. It does take some finesse to do it right. My first roo got away from me because I thought I had done it right but I hadnt. Then I had to chase him down because he was literally running for his life. The second one took me 3 tries. The third I felt it pop. You need to feel for the pop and keep pulling until you do. If you dont feel it the head will come off either way. I also recommend hanging on to the birds feet and keeping the metal pole on their neck until you feel their heart stop. Otherwise they will be flopping around like a fish out of water. This is even worse if the head comes off because blood goes everywhere. I've only had to do this 8 times so I'm no expert but it is a lot harder than youtube makes it look

Edit: also do NOT use a broomstick. Use a hoe or a rake. Preferably a metal pole. Plastic will break in half; wood is weak will shatter but metal will not. My first roo destroyed my broom and my second broke my wooden stick. Metal is the way to go

 

[CluckerFamily]

My brother-in-law does the old school method, he had two nails in a stump, and then uses and ax. The two nails fit along side each side of the neck.

 

[Xouie]

You can use a towel and do it in your lap. This lady uses an apron but same idea.

This is what I did for my solo Cornish cross. She was very calm and peaceful the whole time.

 

[NatJ]

The issue isn't cutting them as much as it is how to I hold him and cut him? I just want to be quick without hurting him or myself.

I can hold a chicken by the feet & wingtips with one hand, leaving the other hand free for the ax (machete, cleaver, whatever cutting tool.)

But if you need one hand for the knife and another to stabilise the head, then it might not work for you.

I've read of people wrapping a chicken in a towel, and then wrapping a bandage around that to hold the towel in place. It's commonly recommended when the bird is injured and the person needs both hands to treat it, but would probably work fine for killing as well.