I think I need to cull my rooster

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I use the cone and jugular/carotid slit method when slaughtering cockerels and old hens for meat. Kills and drains at same time. Yes, you need a good sharp knife, a knowledge of the anatomy(which I found here), and hardest is avoiding cutting thru the feathers(they don't cut easily), you need to go mostly between them. All that takes some practice, I've had several 'bad cuts' including one of my own fingers, before getting better at it. You also need good cone, I built mine from flashing aluminum using dimensions from a commercial cone.

For euthanizing a sick bird I don't intend to eat, I use the broomstick cervical dislocation method. Some use this for meat harvesting too. I did a lot of research and finally found a vid that didn't remove the head. It ended up being easier than I thought and removed the 'bloody' aspect.
-Notice the slight divot in the ground under the stick and neck, this will keep the bird from being choked as you get them set up.
-Notice that she slowly stretches out the neck and legs before giving the short sharp jerk that breaks the neck close to the skull, this is key to success IMO.

Spoiler: Cervical Dislocation is shown in this video at about 1:00

No one method will be without some emotional trauma to the keeper, the first time I killed a bird I had the adrenaline shakes for a good 20 minutes, and all have possibilities of 'not going well'.

I will confess to being too squeamish to do my own culling, or butchering these days. My husband does it for me. I definitely admire that you can do it. It's a necessary need in chicken keeping. I helped as a kid with butchering the chickens, so I'm familiar with it all.

 

[aart]

I will confess to being too squeamish to do my own culling, or butchering these days. My husband does it for me. I definitely admire that you can do it. It's a necessary need in chicken keeping. I helped as a kid with butchering the chickens, so I'm familiar with it all.

Well, I'm glad I learned it but now dread the chore(more because of the work to setup and clean up than the slaughtering/butchering itself) and have put off fall culling this year until I will now have to do it in the cold weather.

 

[coach723]

I am guilty of putting it off too.
If it's an issue of suffering then I don't wait, but when it's just the extra cockerels, well, I procrastinate. It gets done because it's necessary, but not my favorite thing at all.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I am guilty of putting it off too.
If it's an issue of suffering then I don't wait, but when it's just the extra cockerels, well, I procrastinate. It gets done because it's necessary, but not my favorite thing at all.

That's why I have multiple separation pens, and give many chances to the boys to improve.

 

[coach723]

That's why I have multiple separation pens, and give many chances to the boys to improve.

On my wish list! My hubby and I have separate and competing 'hobbies', so some things don't thrill him as much as me when it comes to chickens. Expansion plans are in place, but on terminal hold........

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

On my wish list! My hubby and I have separate and competing 'hobbies', so some things don't thrill him as much as me when it comes to chickens. Expansion plans are in place, but on terminal hold........

Luckily my husband likes building and expanding past my needs. I know how blessed I am too.

Edited to add I would not give human aggressive roosters a second chance if I had any. To me that would be a first offense and you are in the freezer. Thankfully none of mine are ever aggressive with me, so I'm free to judge them on how they treat the hens.

 

[Folly's place]

I also no longer try to 'reform' idiot human aggressive roosters. I'd like to add that cervical dislocation is MUCH more difficult with an adult rooster! I tried it once, with a very bad boy, and it did not go well. I'd much rather use the cone and sharp knife, or my 22g to the head.
The 'not so nice' part of chicken keeping.
Mary

 

[ChickenLeg]

I personally just kick away roosters who are aggressive, sometimes they spur me and I bleed a little but nothing major. But the ladies in my family get scared of mean roosters so I would keep them pinned up.

Even some of my closest friendliest cockerels forgot their upbringing and became, not aggressive but, more isolated and less approachable. I find this happens when they mature. Ive found bannies to be way more aggressive than LF.

With your rooster having deformities, I find coach723's prunner method to work well, I've never used a cone but I've found sharp prunners to be the more humane way so far to cull larger/older birds.