Can we discuss culling?

[Akane]

Just get a pair of game bird shears or the ones in the fishing section designed for cutting through bones and snip their heads off. With 3 people who had never butchered before we did 200 in one day with only 1 accident. The cheaper pair of shears started to get dull and covered in blood so they didn't go all the way through on one cut. It was still dead very quickly. There were no other mistakes and aside from everyone being a bit squeamish about it at first there were no problems. Just pick up quail, snip, set the body aside, grab another quail... Requires no muscle strength at all.

 

[Emilys3guppies]

Thank you all for your input! I appreciate the tips...this stuff is invaluable. If I can learn from your experiences, I'm grateful to do so.

All the best,
Emily

 

[Boyd]

Emily, I always bonk their heads to stun the birds before I do the deed. Makes for a world of difference

 

[tumra]

Using scissors and you run the risk of them being blunt and then having to hack at the bird until it gets cut off. The easiest method is to hold the bird against a chopping board with one hand, and with a sharp knife, run it over the neck with one quick motion. Cuts the head off instantly and the quail doesn't even know whats going. No need for special scissors or tools....

 

[babymakes6]

I just did my first 2 on Saturday night-with a little help from my 4-year-old GIRL! I followed Monarc's instructions and it went very well! (I surprised myself!

)!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
YAY! See that's what ya needed a positive first experience! I'm glad it was!!! I hear some people having botched jobs the first time and it scaring them to ever try again so Im happy to hear that!

Accidents do happen though from time to time and if/when they do please dont ever be hard on yourself just focus and do what you can to avoid the bird any more suffering.

That is also wonderful you got yoru kiddo in on it, i personally think the sooner a kid learns that killing doesn't have to be horrible esp when you're planning on eating the results the better and going about it a way that leaves the kid interested instead of upset or scared is wonderful! I wish my parents would have taken it this way instead o teh way they did! LOL! Come home to find my pet chickens in teh freezer and feathers and blood out back...I was traumatized to say the least

 

[babymakes6]

She is afraid to touch toads and other things, so I was surprised when she wanted to help.