California - Northern

[Kikwi]

Thanks everyone...

I can't bring myself to poison or gas her... I'd feel like one of those murderers on the investigation discovery channel.

In case you're still up for suggestions, in the class I took for humane chicken processing, we all used sharpened garden loppers. The man teaching the class had no hands, which is why we didn't use knives/hatchets. Secure the bird, position the loppers, one quick snap closed. Although the heads were still attached with a flap of skin, the nerves and brain were quickly and cleanly separated from the body.

If you have no hatchet and you think your hand/trigger finger might shake (mine always does right as I'm pulling the trigger), this is probably the best way to go. And if you don't have a garden lopper, well, they're quite useful if you want to get one.

 

[ronott1]

In case you're still up for suggestions, in the class I took for humane chicken processing, we all used sharpened garden loppers. The man teaching the class had no hands, which is why we didn't use knives/hatchets. Secure the bird, position the loppers, one quick snap closed. Although the heads were still attached with a flap of skin, the nerves and brain were quickly and cleanly separated from the body.

If you have no hatchet and you think your hand/trigger finger might shake (mine always does right as I'm pulling the trigger), this is probably the best way to go. And if you don't have a garden lopper, well, they're quite useful if you want to get one.

We used to use pruning shears growing up. They were convenient living on a Prune orchard.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I use pruning shears to put down chicks.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Yay!! At first they gave me the heebie jeebies, but now i have it working well and  i'm used to them. My baby bresse climb up on my hand if I have them as treats. remember to cut your apples thinly. Don't add to much at a time or it'll get moldy in there, so just 2-3 thin slices is what i do. If they don't eat it in a day or two, remove it and use less. I really do like the tule netting to place the produce on. Otherwise they'll drag any produce you put in there to the bottom and cause mold. And use a mask (like a painters mask) when handling them. some people get allergic to their byproducts. 

Oh my gosh I got them today! Are you sure sure sure they can't climb?? Lol

 

[tommysgirl]

In case you're still up for suggestions, in the class I took for humane chicken processing, we all used sharpened garden loppers. The man teaching the class had no hands, which is why we didn't use knives/hatchets. Secure the bird, position the loppers, one quick snap closed. Although the heads were still attached with a flap of skin, the nerves and brain were quickly and cleanly separated from the body.

If you have no hatchet and you think your hand/trigger finger might shake (mine always does right as I'm pulling the trigger), this is probably the best way to go. And if you don't have a garden lopper, well, they're quite useful if you want to get one.

Thanks for this @Kikwi Do you go from the back or the front? I haven't done it ever but have 3 9 week old cockerels that will be processed sometime in Feb or March

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Just waiting on the new top material then the last run will be done. 4 is enough lol

this one is a little smaller than the rest

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Oh my gosh I got them today! Are you sure sure sure they can't climb?? Lol

 

[ronott1]

Just waiting on the new top material then the last run will be done. 4 is enough lol

this one is a little smaller than the rest

Good Job Jason!

You have a great helper too! Are they in 4-H yet?

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Good Job Jason!

You have a great helper too! Are they in 4-H yet?

no we do cub scouts for my son. Not sure about my daughter yet. she does dance now

 

[Kikwi]

We

Thanks for this @Kikwi
  Do you go from the back or the front?  I haven't done it ever but have 3 9 week old cockerels that will be processed sometime in Feb or March

Happy to be of service. We went from back to front.