methods of dispatching *large* turkeys?

[NYREDS]

I have a very easy method. I drive them to a nearby small animal slaughter house & go back the next day to pick up their frozen carcass.

 

[Buster52]

Since there are so many pet owners here, I responded to this in the meat birds forum. I posted pics of my kill station as well. I ended up using a rope to haul it up and hold it while I did the deed...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2960205#p2960205

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

I use a 30 gallon trash can with a hole cut in the bottom. Place the can over the bird, reach in grab the head and pull out the hole. Tip it on it's side and the bird is laying down. Put the lid on the can then slice the neck vein.
I scald my turkeys in a clean metal 55 gallon drum.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Pith them through the roof of the mouth with a short knife into the brain to kill them before you cut the throat. They will bleed out nicely and not feel pain that way.

 

[meriruka]

This thread is timely, I have a dilemma.....
One of my turkeys flew head on into a wall and now can't walk. It's been 5 hours since it happened and there has been no improvement.
I'm wondering a) can I eat this bird and b) how to dispatch the poor thing. I don't have an ax or a big cleaver, but I do have a handgun and a couple of sharp knives. This will be the first time doing this, my chickens get the 'ether in the bucket/fall to sleep & die' method, and they are usually close to death to begin with. This turkey is too big for that method and it's just me here so I gotta immobilize it somehow.......

 

[meriruka]

ok, I did it. I went & bought an ax. I practiced a bit with it on a stump cutting sticks in half.
I put her in a pillowcase with her head sticking out the top & put a small sock over her head.

Once I laid her down next to the stump she lay still.
For those of you who have never done this, it does not require tremendous force. In fact I was amazed how easy it was.
She never saw it coming and in a sec it was done. What happens next is pretty unnerving, (the twitching), but after that all was quiet.

This will be how I do it from now on, now I know I can when necessary, which is a relief.

 

[patandchickens]

Good for you, meriruka, you did what you had to. And as you say, it is good to *know* you can do it when necessary.

I processed my 3 today, btw -- posted on Buster52's thread over in Meat Birds Etc -- I ended up hanging them upside down with head sticking out of a small hole in feedbag, whacking them real hard on the head with a hammer to stun, then slitting the throat. Worked fine. These turkeys were WAY TOO DARN BIG, though - I will never again raise broad-breasted varieties, nor let them get this big before processing. My back hurts so much

Pat