Garden scissors, bad or good?

[FoodKillah]

Hello, i use garden scissors similar to the one at the picture below to slaughter my chickens, so far i used it 4 times for some roosters. I tie them upside downby the legs and use a net to tie them around their wings, then i tie the head on a large piece of wood to keep their head in place and i also cover their head and let them relax, then i slowly put this tool on the neck near the head with the cutting edge in "front" of the neck i mean not the bone side and i use it while they are relaxed. They dont seem to suffer. My question is that "humane", is there something wrong with it what are the "ups" and "downs".?

I used to keep chickens just for the eggs for the last 3 years but this winter i bought 2 patches of 5 and the second patch of 5 layer hens had 4 gigantic hungry roosters, i want to say i am a begginer to slaughtering. I ended up using this tool because i can stay back, i dont have to touch them and i can walk away fast enough to avoid the blood and also avoid their dying experience. I return after 30 seconds when they are done and remove the head because that tool does not cut the skin at the back of the bone. It does cut everything else at the front and the bone. Then i cut a piece of the neck with the knife and throw it away as i clean them, where that tool made the first cut.

 

[FoodKillah]

I see 2 negative votes but no replies. I still think that tool has the same results with the axe method.

 

[srm220]

I think that the anvil side would be painful for the chicken. I would hang them like you do and with a very sharp knife (like an exacto knife) slice through the earlobes. this severs the vein and artery in the throat. quick and relatively painless

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Humane is a bit subjective. My concern would be that I am not sure how accurate you can be at a distance. If you were completely severing the head I do not think it would matter because death would be instant and painless but just cutting partially through the throat with a more random placement I do not believe has the same effect. (how sharp is your tool? This is also a big factor)

I would consider getting a very sharp tool that can cut all the way through and remove the head or getting closer and using a very sharp knife so you can be more accurate.

To me there is something humane about being a part of the death experience and to being more hands on -- but I know this is a personal definition of the word and not for everyone. If you mean as painless as possible then severing the brain stem and removing the head seems the best to me.

 

[Mingming]

I voted yes because I think any time anyone steps up to the plate and takes the care and concern to raise their own meat and you're doing it without pain to the bird (at least, it doesn't sound like it from your description), it's a good thing.

Secondly - just wanted to say Love love love your profile pic ChickensRDinos!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

To me, humane means quick and sure. It really doesn’t matter how as long as it is quick and sure. Part of that is that you don’t flinch and miss.

From your description, everything is cut except some skin at the back of the neck. That means the nerves, bone, and muscle are severed and it will feel no pain. It also sounds like you can be steady enough to get a good cut. To me, you have found your way to do it that you can do and that works.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I voted yes because I think any time anyone steps up to the plate and takes the care and concern to raise their own meat and you're doing it without pain to the bird (at least, it doesn't sound like it from your description), it's a good thing.

Secondly - just wanted to say Love love love your profile pic ChickensRDinos!!

THANK YOU! <3


I think Ridgerunner has a really good point. What you feel comfortable and confident with is probably going to be the best thing. If it works for you and you are comfortable with it then it works and that is really the bottom line.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

As long as it's quick and does the job in one cut, I would say that's perfectly humane. It's when you have to make multiple cuts with any tool that the bird suffers.

We use a pair of poultry shears from the kitchen when we have to cull baby chicks.

 

[mstricer]

Those are only good to remove the head, after you slit the throat and bleed out. They don't cut it off, right away, it take a times.

 

[FoodKillah]

Thanks for all the replies. The tool is not new and has cut many tons of wood, but the blade is of good quality and cuts wood easier than other new tools of the same kind. Very sharp like it was new and i keep it clean with alcohol when i do this job.

Those are only good to remove the head, after you slit the throat and bleed out. They don't cut it off, right away, it take a times.

If you try to cut off the head, it will take times, but that is not what i do, i use it only once for each bird and just leaves some skin at the back like i said.

The day i made this post i also killed the last rooster on death row. The way i tie their heads makes it sure i never miss. I am starting to get used to it and i didnt leave. He didnt suffer at all. I think i will be using that for the near future but someday i will start using the knife, i think it will make it easier for everyone.