Easy, humane, slaughter methods

[Rachealx4]

So my main purpose for chickens was eggs and eventually meat. Can someone give me on humane practices?
Right now it's not an issue as my chicks are young. However I am getting ready to move the first group out and know that a situation may arise where I will have to cull so I may as well get my info now.
Right now I know that my brother in law or son (19... if he's home) could do it. I feel thatit is my responsibility to do it though since they are my chickens.
Thank you!

 

[yeahd00d]

So my main purpose for chickens was eggs and eventually meat. Can someone give me on humane practices?
Right now it's not an issue as my chicks are young. However I am getting ready to move the first group out and know that a situation may arise where I will have to cull so I may as well get my info now.
Right now I know that my brother in law or son (19... if he's home) could do it. I feel thatit is my responsibility to do it though since they are my chickens.
Thank you!

I would say using a "killing cone" would be the most humane way. You essentially put them into a cone upside down which causes the blood to rush to their head and calms them. Pull their hens through the bottom and use a sharp knife to cut the jugular and let the chicken bleed out. Some will shake around after you do this but they basically pass away within seconds and the movement is normal from the muscles moving after death.

There are a lot of articles on how to do this with step by step instructions just need to do some searches on google. In my opinion it's the most humane way.

Hope this helps!

 

[SavKel&RynKel]

This is one of those questions where a lot of people disagree on a lot of different methods.
I would second the killing cone for birds you want to eat.
We had a bird that needed to be taken out for other reasons, and somewhere i found claims that giving the chickens a "dose" of carbon dioxide. In general 20% makes them loopy and higher concentrations are poisonous. So we mixed up some vinegar and baking soda in a ziploc and let the bird take a whiff.
There's a bunch of threads on this: here's one...https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/humane-killing-euthanasia-methods.441394/

 

[BantyChooks]

Ill see if i can find you a link, but I know not everyone likes this method.

CO2/other certain gas mixtures are humane if used properly, but the issue is that the average backyarder has no way to make sure the concentrations are appropriate so as not to induce respiratory distress. "Controlled atmosphere stunning" is a good keyphrase to search.

Cervical Dislocation

Cervical Dislocation

Euthanasia

Above are some really good links on killing birds. Some don't leave the meat appropriate for human consumption afterwards. I personally prefer cervical dislocation, it seemed to result in less flapping than decapitation. Gunshot to the head is also a great way IMO. Instant brain destruction.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So my main purpose for chickens was eggs and eventually meat. Can someone give me on humane practices?
Right now it's not an issue as my chicks are young. However I am getting ready to move the first group out and know that a situation may arise where I will have to cull so I may as well get my info now.
Right now I know that my brother in law or son (19... if he's home) could do it. I feel thatit is my responsibility to do it though since they are my chickens.
Thank you!

Thinking openly, talking about it, and planning... all go a LONG way to get you ready for the rewarding challenge to come.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2017/02/how-to-humanely-euthanize-chicken-by-dr/

http://www.poultryindustrycouncil.c...delines-for-On-Farm-Euthanasia-of-Poultry.pdf

I use the cone and cut the jugular. Not some... but ALL will throw the death jerk, but that doesn't happen the instant you start the bleeding. If they aren't bleeding good enough they "go" very slowly. Cutting the artery isn't the way they show barely slitting and blood sprays everywhere in the movies. It takes some practice to get it right. The skin on the neck is tough (especially on older birds). And you need to spread the feathers so you start at the skin. This is the SAFEST way for ME! After I slit the throat, directly below the earlobes/waddles, all the way across and as deep as I can go... I hold the top of the head back so the blood leaves that area fast and the bird passes out. Once I drain the head for JUST a moment... I put down the knife and walk away until the death jerk passes. The death jerk is involuntary contraction of the muscles from the nerves firing and NOT the birds last plea for help. My cone is a 1 gallon bleach jug with a cut out bottom and top and screwed to a wall. It contains the flapping and the mess. Just drains into a bag lined garbage can that we toss at the end of the day. It's true, the birds are surprisingly calm once you have them upside down. There is NO drama. And you KNOW the bird is dead. This can be done by a single person with zero help... and a lady. If we are doing only one bird... we skin instead of plucking.

One key to me... is that you also have to NOT traumatize yourself. So for ME.. I will pass on possibly taking my leg off with an ax I've never swung before, or seeing a chicken "run around with it's head cut off." I thought we might be vegetarian before it was all said and done. Alas... we are more conscious of our intake. But very honored to eat our own birds. Its a terrible job... one I now pay someone else $5/bird to do. But having done it and have the skill to do so confidently if one of my hens gets injured or ill and needs help "out"... I am thankful to know that if I do face a situation that I will NOT be causing more suffering.

Best wishes!

 

[lazy gardener]

I use the broomstick if I'm not processing. If I'm processing, I cut the carotid artery.

 

[Rachealx4]

Thank you all so much for your replies!
@lazy gardener if I do a search of the broomstick method is it easy to find?

 

[potatoesgonnapotate]

In all of my research, I have decided cones are the best way for me personally. I like that they quickly lose consciousness and you can get most of the blood drained because the heart beats longer than if you just remove the head. I also like that they die calmly and the cone holds their wings close to their body to lessen the risk of bruising the meat. My personal plan is to withhold food for 18-24 hours also, to keep everything cleaner during processing. I have killing cones, a camp stove with a stock pot for scalding, a plucker (yardbird), and coolers for keeping the birds cold. I have a fillet table for evisceration and butchering, which is convenient because there's a hole I can put a trash bucket under for everything. I also have shrink wrap bags to store them in and plenty of freezer space. I am thinking I'll likely process the 5 Cornish crosses I have in about 3-4 weeks (when they're about 8 lbs live weight), and I'll update with my experience when I've actually carried it out.

 

[lazy gardener]

Should be.

 

[LamarshFish]

I would say using a "killing cone" would be the most humane way. You essentially put them into a cone upside down which causes the blood to rush to their head and calms them. Pull their hens through the bottom and use a sharp knife to cut the jugular and let the chicken bleed out. Some will shake around after you do this but they basically pass away within seconds and the movement is normal from the muscles moving after death.

There are a lot of articles on how to do this with step by step instructions just need to do some searches on google. In my opinion it's the most humane way.

Hope this helps!

x2 on this. All I would add is to get a surgically razor sharp knife to do it. That ensures the least amount of struggle and the easiest on you. This is the way Rabbis have been slaughtering meat for hundreds of years under the laws of the koshrut. Part of the requirements under those religious laws requires certain extreme scrutiny being made over the knives being sharp AND flawless. The blades are inspected. I'm not saying this to make any kind of religious point, but more so to emphasize what people had decided was the most humane way to slaughter animals for hundreds of years, likely for good reasons, and the fact that the condition of the knife was a huge focus of the entire process.