Harvesting my first flock.

[Rose Quartz]

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.

In the case of avoiding the windpipe, it's optimal, but not necessary. the arteries are right under their jaw, earlobe area. I usually only do one side because I end up cutting myself doing both. Generally I dont hit the windpipe, just because it's an odd angle to get both.

It did take a while to find a way of doing it that I felt comfortable with. I tried several different ways. I guess the biggest thing to keep in mind is, even if you do screw up. Get it done as quickly as you can, like everything it takes practice, and mistakes are a part of the learning process. Remember that once they're dead, they are dead, and not feeling pain.

 

[sen2two]

Very helpful replies from everyone. I only started eating meat again about a year ago. When I started I said I wanted to "earn" it. By raising my own chickens, ducks, etc. and hunting for other animals. I simply want to put the birds down with minimal suffering. These birds were originally intended for eggs, so I spent a decent time with them. They turned out to be Roosters though...

 

[RUNuts]

Best wishes.

Lots of good suggestions. Please ask any question you need to. Utube has several videos for demonstrations. If so desired, see if someone close to you can guide you through it.

Prepare mentally. The original goal was meat for ours. Doesn't make it easier and we enjoyed a lot of time with them. Taught us a lot.

 

[Redhead Rae]

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.

The problem with sheers is that it might not take the head off all the way. I sever heads with sheers after the bird bleeds out (I don't like looking at their faces when plucking/scalding/etc) and it usually takes me 3-4 snips to get through all the skin. The spinal cord is severed with the first cut though, but it will be VERY messy trying to get the head off as the bird is bleeding and flopping.

True confession. I botched the cut on my first rooster. I had no help except internet tutorials and I nearly fainted. I was trying to slit the vein too far forward on the neck. You need to slice right under the ear

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We butchered a few when we got our first flock 8 years ago and ended up with way too many roosters, and discovered we hated it and were not at all good at it. Fortunately we are blessed to have Mennonites in the area who are competent, humane, willing and affordable. I will take my extra roos over there in a dog crate in a couple of weeks and pick them up later the same day, fully dressed out (odd terminology!) and ready for the freezer. I don't feel like a coward, I feel like I'm doing what's best for us, the birds, and even my sweet Mennonite neighbors.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Um, just a word to the wise. If you truss the bird first it won't flap about and spray blood all over. You can even put it in a net like what grapes or avocadoes come in, just leave the head out.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I found this resource after my first couple times butchering. It is VERY helpful.

Killing, Plucking, Eviscerating, & Cutting Up Your Chicken – Graphic!

 

[bbond]

You’re getting absolutely great advice here. It’s never easy. I botched my first. Did okay my second but bleeding them out wasn’t for me. Now I do cervical dislocation and as long as you hang them upside down while scalding and plucking they will bleed out fine (and not bleed into the scalding water). The best method will definitely be whichever one works for you. I wish you the best of luck, and by having given them a great life, you have given them a gift the chicken we get at the supermarket wasn’t fortunate enough to receive.

 

[trudyg]

My first cut was great--except that it stopped bleeding and the silly bird was looking at me like I was a nut. So, I got my loppers and off came his head. He was a real PITA and I wasn't in any mood to get myself upset with him. He did kind of try to avoid the loppers, but I held his comb and got them in place, waited until he calmed down and then snip, done in a second.

 

[Rose Quartz]

My first cut was great--except that it stopped bleeding and the silly bird was looking at me like I was a nut. So, I got my loppers and off came his head. He was a real PITA and I wasn't in any mood to get myself upset with him. He did kind of try to avoid the loppers, but I held his comb and got them in place, waited until he calmed down and then snip, done in a second.

Good job not loosing your cool. First time for me was really hard.