how to butcher well?

[Beekissed]

I find the one gallon jugs to be too short to hold the bird correctly and there is danger of them tipping out if they struggle too much. The long 2 gal. jug seems to be just right for a CX or large roo and even better for a smaller bird.

A pic of the 2 gal. in action...imagine if these CX were in the shorter and more slender 1 gal. jugs:

 

[ScottnLydia]

I didn't know I was going to have to go to so much work! I ran out to check on the size to find I had taken the labels off, so I came back in to check the jug in use in the laundry room. Low and behold it is 3 quart. 1 1/2 gallon from the Big W. I also have some 2 gallon vinegar bottles as well. Different sized birds, etc. I did a 6 month New Hampshire rooster in a two gallon vinegar jug and it was a tight fit whereas I just finished some 10 week old fryers in the smaller ones and they were just right. I'm sure the metal cones are nice but they're outside of my budget when these work just as well!
After all, as the Headless Horseman said, " !"

~S~

 

[the_great_snag]

Sorry to make you work!

I used to have a metal cone someone gave me and accidentally left it behind when I moved. Little did I know how crazy they are priced!

 

[Beekissed]

Out of curiosity, how much are they?

 

[the_great_snag]

Well over $30 pretty much anywhere I have looked.

 

[Beekissed]

Well over $30 pretty much anywhere I have looked.

I'll stick with my bleach jugs...at least I can use the contents first and you can't beat the price!

 

[bj taylor]

those of you that slit the throat rather than cut the head off, are you comfortable that it is a humane way to kill? i haven't done it yet. i'm leaning toward cutting the head off simply because it sounds more humane.
i hope i'm posing my question ok. i'm sure not trying to offend.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

There's been a ton of discussion on this, lots of differing opinions. But to answer your question, I am confident that for ME especially that it's more humane for me to slit the arteries in the neck than to remove the entire head. With a good sharpsharpsharp knife I can send my birds to The Other Side of the Road in an instant with that first cut & outpouring of blood. It would take me longer to cut through the bones of the neck and all the other tubes in there. Additionally, when the spine is kept intact the heart continues to reflexively beat and helps drain the blood more thoroughly.

 

[cassie]

With me, chopping off the head with an axe is simply not an option. I cannot do it physically. I cut the throat. I find they bleed out better and it is more humane than if the chickens were subjected to my efforts with an axe. I use a very sharp utility knife. The sharper the blade, the less pain.

those of you that slit the throat rather than cut the head off, are you comfortable that it is a humane way to kill? i haven't done it yet. i'm leaning toward cutting the head off simply because it sounds more humane.
i hope i'm posing my question ok. i'm sure not trying to offend.

 

[ScottnLydia]

I'm not offended. Believe me, I gave this question a lot of thought!!! Humane is an awkward word in the regard of dispatching of an animal for food. I don't think of myself as a "killer" and yet this is the transition the animal must pass through to fulfill its intended role. I feel it is my duty to perform this act as swiftly, skillfully and with as much respect as the animal deserves since it is giving its life to feed us.

My primary career was as a paramedic for 15 years. Using what I learned doing that, I am comfortable in harvesting my animals the way that I do. Have you ever passed out? It happens quickly because of lack of blood pressure to the brain. Cutting the throat causes immediate and complete loss of blood pressure to the brain. Putting the bird upside down causes all the blood to rush to their heads causing somewhat of a stupor and will speed bleeding out. A razor sharp knife is used because a quick cut with a sharp blade is less painful than a sawing cut with a dull blade. Have you ever cut yourself with a razor blade and barely felt it until later? This procedure ensures that the heart continues to beat until all the blood is pumped out resulting in complete exsanguination. A further step can be taken to 'stick' the bird through the roof of the mouth destroying the brain stem. Death is in seconds, unconsciousness is nearly immediate, nerve reaction is all that can be seen.

Why am I not a fan of decapitation? I used to do that when I started but personally I did not feel that they bled out as well since they weren't hanging upside down. Also I like the way the cone keeps them from flapping all about.

As I said, it's just my opinion, but I've put a LOT of thought into it!

~S~