Harvesting my first flock.

[sen2two]

Due to some Unfortunate Events. I'm going to harvest my first flock of 6 Rhode Island Reds. Long story short, I wound up with a flock of roosters instead of intended egg laying hens. I posted about it earlier today.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/did-i-get-5-roosters-and-1-hen.1314818/

So, after watching a few YouTube videos on how to go about slaughtering and harvesting the birds. I really only have one question. The videos I watched they cut the arteries and then held on to the head. Is there really a reason why I cannot just take the head off right away if using a "killing cone".

 

[Rose Quartz]

Due to some Unfortunate Events. I'm going to harvest my first flock of 6 Rhode Island Reds. Long story short, I wound up with a flock of roosters instead of intended egg laying hens. I posted about it earlier today.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/did-i-get-5-roosters-and-1-hen.1314818/

So, after watching a few YouTube videos on how to go about slaughtering and harvesting the birds. I really only have one question. The videos I watched they cut the arteries and then held on to the head. Is there really a reason why I cannot just take the head off right away if using a "killing cone".

especially for your first time, i wouldnt try removing their heads as you kill them. it's harder than you think. Even with a sharp knife, just cutting the arteries can be difficult if you hit a feather.

 

[123RedBeard]

You can sever the head ... but, it's gonna try to flap around more ...

Bleeding them out is a "calmer" way to slaughter them, as they slowly loose blood pressure ... cutting off their head shuts off their brain to rest of body communication ... and heart doesn't keep pumping out the blood either.

 

[sen2two]

I would just like to do it the most humane way. I have cropping shears that I would use to take the head off in one snip. While I've never butchered an animal before, I watched a friend skin a deer as I shadowed him hunting last season. I have the same type of cropping shears that he used to take off the legs from that animal.

I'm worried that if I do not cut the artery deep enough, or miss it completely. I could accidentally caused the animal more suffering.

 

[Rose Quartz]

I would just like to do it the most humane way. I have cropping shears that I would use to take the head off in one snip. While I've never butchered an animal before, I watched a friend skin a deer as I shadowed him hunting last season. I have the same type of cropping shears that he used to take off the legs from that animal.

I'm worried that if I do not cut the artery deep enough, or miss it completely. I could accidentally caused the animal more suffering.

I've not used shears myself, but have butchered deer, if it's good to go through leg bones it should do rather well.

 

[Compost King]

It was my 4th time butchering chickens before I could handle doing it without losing my appetite. The first time is rough but it gets easier. Some people can handle it just fine the first time though and I can only say I hope that is the case for you. I offer no advice because what works for me is not what works for others, and others in here are giving great advice so I won't confuse anyone by saying something totally different. Let us know how well it worked out and if you were satisfied with the amount of meat you ended up with. If you are the picture taking type take some pictures of the carcass when after you finish.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

I've worried because I've seen instructions to cut the arteries on both sides but avoid the windpipe, and I can't figure out how they do that.

 

[Sing Brightly Bantams]

Decapitation is a humane method of slaughter for chickens. The cerebral spinal fluid drains out of the base of the skull when the spinal cord is cut, causing concussion of the brain and a rapid death. I personally prefer cervical dislocation followed by decapitation with pipe cutters.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In my opinion the best way to kill them is the way you can. You don't want the chicken to suffer and you don't want to injure yourself. If you flinch or close your eyes at the wrong time you could do both. If you are comfortable using those cropping shears I'd certainly go that way. That's much better for you that trying to follow a technique you are not sure about.

The chicken will still bleed out well enough. People have been butchering chickens by removing the heads for thousands of years, it is a proven technique. Don't let the pursuit of perfection of bleeding out blind you to good enough. The meat will still be good and the chicken will lose a lot of blood.

 

[potatoesgonnapotate]

I'll agree with the others; do what you're comfortable with. If you're more comfortable you won't stress so much, which will be good for your birds. I personally bleed them out, but I wouldn't be opposed to just cutting the head clean off, I've seen it done both ways. I think your shears would be great. It's nerve wracking, it's a big responsibility to take an animal's life. I don't know your beliefs but I personally pray before beginning on processing day. We all want perfect kills 100% of the time, but sometimes that doesn't happen, especially if you are not super experienced in it. The best way to learn is to jump in and experience it. You'll find your rhythm, you'll find the exact way that works best for you. I've had a few less than perfect kills and I hate it, but it's part of the learning experience. Let us know how it goes!