Need hatchet help, please don't judge.

[cottontail farm]

Today I had to kill a full grown Pekin duck unexpectedly. I have killed tons of chickens and small ducks using the broomstick method and I am quick and efficient at it but thought a full grown drake would be too much to handle this way. So I decided to use a hatchet to get the job done. Had watched some Yourtube videos and it seemed simple enough.
It wasn't. It was absolutely horrible. I didn't hesitate and finished the job as quickly as I could but it was barbaric and awful. Can someone please walk me through how to do this efficiently? I know it's a common method and like I said, Youtube makes it looks like a one chop and done kind of thing.
Advice from people who have been there?

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

That sounds terrible. I also considered using a hatchet to kill mean, sick or severely injured poultry. But I just can't do it. We have been shooting them instead.

 

[RUNuts]

The trick is getting them in position?

A Y-stick secured to hold them steady. I've also read a string tied around the neck and looped on a nail to stretch the neck. Then a quick blow.

Would a broomstick hold them in position for the hatchet? Do you have a stout chopping block? End of a tree stump? This doesn't work on grass or soft dirt.

Could also try a rap on the head to stun them for a moment. Again, no hesitation. Have you considered tree pruners or limb loppers?

I made a cone from a plastic jug. The jug holds the body while my left hand controls the head for a quick slit.

Not a pleasant experience and I hope you find an easier way for both of you. Kindest wishes.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use two tricks with the hatchet method. I make a Vee with two long nails to hold the head steady. I haven't measured the Vee but maybe 3/4" apart at the bottom and 1-1/2" apart at the top. Put the head in and stretch the bird out. Don't pull all that hard, just enough to hold it steady.

The other is that I chop into the grain on the wood, not across the grain. If you chop into the grain the blade sinks in the wood some and you get a clean cut. If you chop across the grain the blade does not sink through the cut and you usually do not get a clean cut. Cut into the end of a stump, not the side of a log or sawn lumber.

 

[cottontail farm]

That sounds terrible. I also considered using a hatchet to kill mean, sick or severely injured poultry. But I just can't do it. We have been shooting them instead.

This is probably what is going to happen in the future for larger birds. The drake actually injured a female goose to the point where she's not walking today. She seems fine otherwise, is eating and drinking and preening but won't stand up. If this goes south, I will have to call my father to come shoot her for me. A broomstick is pretty instantaneous for small birds but I'm thinking shooting is the way to go for bigger ones.

 

[cottontail farm]

The trick is getting them in position?

A Y-stick secured to hold them steady. I've also read a string tied around the neck and looped on a nail to stretch the neck. Then a quick blow.

Would a broomstick hold them in position for the hatchet? Do you have a stout chopping block? End of a tree stump? This doesn't work on grass or soft dirt.

Could also try a rap on the head to stun them for a moment. Again, no hesitation. Have you considered tree pruners or limb loppers?

I made a cone from a plastic jug. The jug holds the body while my left hand controls the head for a quick slit.

Not a pleasant experience and I hope you find an easier way for both of you. Kindest wishes.

Thank you for the advice. I had his head and neck on a cement block and was straddling him. I am positive I knocked him out with the first blow and am grateful for that. It just took forever to finish the job. Maybe I just don't have the upper body strength that I need?
I worry about using loppers, have you done this on a larger bird? How so? Like I said above, a head shot might be best in the future.

 

[cottontail farm]

I use two tricks with the hatchet method. I make a Vee with two long nails to hold the head steady. I haven't measured the Vee but maybe 3/4" apart at the bottom and 1-1/2" apart at the top. Put the head in and stretch the bird out. Don't pull all that hard, just enough to hold it steady.

The other is that I chop into the grain on the wood, not across the grain. If you chop into the grain the blade sinks in the wood some and you get a clean cut. If you chop across the grain the blade does not sink through the cut and you usually do not get a clean cut. Cut into the end of a stump, not the side of a log or sawn lumber.

I came nowhere near to getting a clean cut the first time.... or fifth. It just wasn't "cutting" well even though I thought it was sharp. Honestly, it was horrible but am certain I knocked him out with the first blow.

 

[cottontail farm]

Thank you everyone for being kind and supportive about this. It's hard to learn these things when you don't have anyone to physically walk you through it. We're all doing this as humanely as we can. I greatly appreciate the advice without blame.

 

[JesusHChicken]

Get a meat cleaver. I use one for my chicken processing. Made a killing cone out of a road cone screwed to 4x4 lumber. Tie a thick rope around neck, slight tug, chop, done. I like the meat clever because the blade has wider surface than a hatchet. Single chop, no hacking. I only use the cleaver for slaughter.

 

[RUNuts]

The cement block won't let the hatchet sink in for a clean cut. Get a log with end grain up for the chopping block. It will be much easier. If you were straddling the drake, you weren't in the best chopping position either. Do with what you have in the circumstances.

I've used loppers on other things, not ducks. The trick is having more than 2 hands. One person to position and hold in place and the other to do it. The cone holds them steady for me.

We are all learning. Feel free to ask all questions. Open forum or private.