Need how-to advice

[Ridgerunner]

I use the stump and hatchet method, but I drive two large nails to form a Vee, maybe ¾ inches apart at the base and about 2” or less apart at the top. You don’t have to get it exact. I carry the chicken out there, holding the feet with one hand and support under the body with the other. They are pretty calm. Then I gently put the neck in the Vee and pull very gently on the legs, just enough to stretch the neck but not enough to really put any pressure on it. That gives you a real good target and keeps it steady.

There are many different ways to do this. I don’t think one is better than the other. To me, the important thing is that you use a method you can do without flinching. Whichever method you use it needs to be sure. That’s for your safety as well as making sure the chicken doesn’t suffer.

I never enjoy the killing part either but for my goals and reasons to have chickens it is necessary.

 

[Aphrael]

Thanks for those words of reassurance Aphrael. It is really helpful to know that it will get easier. At the moment I'm planning to decapitate on a tree stump with a bill hook (sharp long flat bladed tool for cutting brush) I've practised on a hen that died so I have an idea of how hard I need to swing to do it cleanly. Do you mind me asking how you do it? I plan to have tissues at the ready to cope with the tears. Hopefully all the thought and planning I have put into it will make it go as smoothly as possible.
Apologies to OP for hijacking your thread, but hopefully the information will be helpful to you too.

Regards

Barbara

Not at all. I'd like to use the stump/hatchet method, but I have nerve damage, and the lack of strength and control makes it too likely I'd make them suffer that way. I use the "broomstick method", except I use a length of light rebar. I found with a broomstick or something similar, I lose my balance very easily and it doesn't really create a good grip on the neck. Again, there was too much chance to cause undue suffering (for the bird AND for me

). The rebar is slim enough that it doesn't make me lose my balance and it grips very well.

I, too would like to apologize to the OP for derailing the convo. But, as Barbara said, hopefully you will find this info useful as well.

I use the stump and hatchet method, but I drive two large nails to form a Vee, maybe ¾ inches apart at the base and about 2” or less apart at the top. You don’t have to get it exact. I carry the chicken out there, holding the feet with one hand and support under the body with the other. They are pretty calm. Then I gently put the neck in the Vee and pull very gently on the legs, just enough to stretch the neck but not enough to really put any pressure on it. That gives you a real good target and keeps it steady.

There are many different ways to do this. I don’t think one is better than the other. To me, the important thing is that you use a method you can do without flinching. Whichever method you use it needs to be sure. That’s for your safety as well as making sure the chicken doesn’t suffer.

I never enjoy the killing part either but for my goals and reasons to have chickens it is necessary.

I agree. The "best" method differs from person to person. So long as it is quick and causes no suffering and you feel safe and capable doing it, then it is a good method.