Butchering single chicken without cone, needing advice

[Ninjasquirrel]

Aw I don't blame you for burying him. I've buried my egg layers, but their deaths have all been sudden and/or traumatic so I wasn't sure I *should* eat them. This rooster will be the Sunday roast....

Ive buried all my egg layers that have passed as well. Most of the time I know what they died of but I cant bring myself to do a necropsy. I'm usually too sad. Either way they are old enough their meat wouldnt be very good

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

What about using baler twine to hang him from a tree branch, or clothes line to get the job done?

 

[Tre3hugger]

This was excellent, thank you!

Glad I could help!
And yeah, that lady was simultaneously so gentle sweet/hardcore and deliberate! No need to cervically dislocate with your hands, but I suppose it's efficient!

 

[3KillerBs]

I've used the broomstick method a number of times. It's quite effective.

This post has a detailed explanation of how I did it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tips-for-getting-through-first-cull.1433166/post-23658579

I used an ax handle -- nice and sturdy and also stable under my feet.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I've used the broomstick method a number of times. It's quite effective.

This post has a detailed explanation of how I did it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tips-for-getting-through-first-cull.1433166/post-23658579

I used an ax handle -- nice and sturdy and also stable under my feet.

Did you eat the bird afterwards? My commercial poultry neighbor said bleeding them out yields the best tasting meat where cervical dislocation methods are more humane for killing, but they don’t make the best tasting meat. I’ve literally never experimented with this so I can’t say I’ve ever gotten to taste a comparison.

 

[3KillerBs]

Did you eat the bird afterwards? My commercial poultry neighbor said bleeding them out yields the best tasting meat where cervical dislocation methods are more humane for killing, but they don’t make the best tasting meat. I’ve literally never experimented with this so I can’t say I’ve ever gotten to taste a comparison.

Yes. I ate it and found no issues.

I have not done a comparison, but found that the blood drained well into the gap caused by the dislocation while I was holding the bird by it's feet as it flapped.

I want to do a carcass comparison at some point but haven't yet.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Yes. I ate it and found no issues.

I have not done a comparison, but found that the blood drained well into the gap caused by the dislocation while I was holding the bird by it's feet as it flapped.

I want to do a carcass comparison at some point but haven't yet.

I’m not sure I’m comfortable with the broomstick/dislocation simply because I’ve never been exposed to it. I hate trying something new when I haven’t seen someone else do it! Sounds like the chickens basically bleed out regardless of the method. If the deed goes down though I’ll be sure to update with what I choose to do.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I’m not sure I’m comfortable with the broomstick/dislocation simply because I’ve never been exposed to it. I hate trying something new when I haven’t seen someone else do it! Sounds like the chickens basically bleed out regardless of the method. If the deed goes down though I’ll be sure to update with what I choose to do.

Do ultimately what you are comfortable with. My fiancee can not do the broomstick. He said "to deliberately use my own two hands to cause harm makes me feel like a murderer". Shooting things doesnt bother him but the broomstick does. But good luck shooting a chicken in the head. The broomstick method works for me because I need to ENSURE that my act is deliberate and causes the least amount of harm. I'm pretty squimish but I love that bird every second of the action. I thank them before and after and I do not leave them until I know they are gone. Its the way I have made myself ok with it. Its never easy and anyone who says it gets easier is only saying that you get better and quicker. The emotions never go away.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Yes. I ate it and found no issues.

I have not done a comparison, but found that the blood drained well into the gap caused by the dislocation while I was holding the bird by it's feet as it flapped.

I want to do a carcass comparison at some point but haven't yet.

I have found no issues as well. We usually slaughter and then dip and let bleed while plucking. My only comparison would be grocery store chicken....my birds taste better

 

[NatJ]

anyone who says it gets easier is only saying that you get better and quicker. The emotions never go away.

"Can I do this correctly? What if I mess up and cause the bird to suffer?"

Getting better at it can make that particular emotion go away--at some point you do trust that you can do it right. But I think you're right that other emotions about chicken killing don't go away over time.