New to chicken killing....

[Badbaby05]

I use a utility knife with a new blade in it, hang it upside down, and slice its throat. Very calm for them. Your first one is always hard.

Just think that she's in pain/sick and you're doing the right thing. If I was close I would come do it for you.

 

[mcostas]

Quote:
That's how I did it. I also used a bungie to secure the head some. I used a large sharp knife, layed it against the roos neck, then batoned it with a hammer, it worked much better then the hatchet method. If you have help you can carry the chicken over and secure the head, then place the knife and whack. After teh first one I got an empty trash can to put the bodies in (I had 3 roos to butcher). They do flop a lot.

I wonder if pruners would work for a sick hen.

 

[mkeawsh]

Quote:
This first one will be hard to decide to do - even though you know it has to be done for the chicken's sake. I made the decision to do it the next day and then finally the "for real" next day when I actually did it was four days later and then had guilt after it was all over because I knew the poor thing was not well. You have to change your frame of mind for that moment and just do it. Over the past five years there have been a number of chickens we have had to kill and I will say it gets easier but there is always some part of me that still hesitates with the appreciation of the life I am going to end and responsibility of the deed required. You are not alone on how you feel.

 

[N. Virginia]

When I was young we would hang them up by their feet tied to a horizontal pole and stick a small knife in their beek and rotate it. The theory was that was the fastest way to kill them. I don't recall much flapping - the hanging upside down does seem to quiet them down. Haven't tried this. The slicing method sounds better. My neighbor recently twirled some around by the head and the head came off. I didn't like this at all, plus they ran around all over.

Hope whatever you try works out for you.

 

[N. Virginia]

I meant in they beer and into the brain. The benefit of the hanging is also that the blood drains.

 

[N. Virginia]

DDumb auto spell check. Beak, not beer, but probably beer might taste good after the tough job.

 

[Mattemma]

I didn't do it yesterday.Wish I had. I gave her a different antibiotic pill and lots of red wiggler worms from my indoor compost.And let her lay in the sun.
Not sure why I wimped out.

I will do it just not sure when now. Thank you again for the suggestions.

Lol, I am not supposed to drink,but maybe our hen would appreciate some alcohol before I do the deed!

 

[f8thnjc]

Quote:
I agree with the hanging. Make a noose. Throw it over the branch of a tree and hang it by it's feet. Then you can use the tree to chop against. Stinks to have to go through the killing and you can't even eat it because it's sick.

 

[mtngrl812]

N. Virginia :

DDumb auto spell check. Beak, not beer, but probably beer might taste good after the tough job.

Had to giggle at that.... nice for a little humor in such a uncomfortable subject.​

 

[alhanse77]

We have yet to butcher a chicken, but if you hang by the feet and slice the throat/neck, do you make a horizontal cut or a vertical cut?