Help: How to Cull (if you've never culled before)

[rosemarythyme]

I like to think that despite of her disability she lived her best life, being surrounded by her siblings, enjoying the sunshine and eating fresh grass and bugs.

It sounds like you gave her the best life she could've possibly had, but were also aware enough to know that she wasn't likely going to enjoy it as long as the others.

I prefer to use axe as I've read so many horror stories here about botched killings and knowing that the head is gone gives me certainty of the death.

This is why even though I use the broomstick method I go ahead and give it a final yank to remove the head, to "make sure." Very little resistance since the spine is already disconnected at that point and it bleeds very little, for those who are squeamish about that.

 

[Mrs. K]

Many people fear they have botched it because of the death throes, in which the bird moves violently. In actuality though, that is a sign that you did it right. I always immediately put them in a 5 gallon bucket. Keeps them cleaner if you are going to process them, and the movement is contained.

As a woman with a bit of arthritis in her hands, I use the broomstick. It is quick and done and not a lot of prep. I have also used the cone when doing meat birds. That what how I started.

It is the 'coup de grace' and an honorable part of animal husbandry. Personally I always feel relief, and it increases my enjoyment of watching my flock again. When I have reached the point, where I know this needs to be done and yet I hate to do it, well until I do it, watching them suffer because I haven't, is an ugly feeling.

Mrs K

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My DH and I also use the broomstick method. He is tall and strong, and it doesn't take much of a pull on his part to decapitate the bird. I get a 5-gallon bucket ready and put a trash bag in it. As soon as he's done, he drops the bird into the bucket and we tie the bag shut. This contains any bleeding and/or flapping. We only do this to end the life of a bird that is suffering, and, while there's a sadness to it, it also comforts me to know we have given the gift of peace to such a bird. It's part of the responsibility that goes with caring for these little lives. For birds we plan to eat, we take them to a professional processor. We're no good at all that.