One Cull Cockerel

[Molpet]

I've been wanting to try this too, which way do you orient the blade? Do you put the metal blade over the back of the neck and cut downward, or align it sideways?

I put the curve over the back of the neck and blade on the front for chickens.

Older turkeys I had to go on the side and do both sides. It wouldn't go through the 4 yr old Tom's neck bones. It will go through jakes.

 

[Geena]

I've been wanting to try this too, which way do you orient the blade? Do you put the metal blade over the back of the neck and cut downward, or align it sideways?

I hook the half round side under the jawline so the blade goes through the spinal cord first. It works well, but IMO is not the best choice for larger birds.

 

[Mosey2003]

Thanks, Molpet and Geena!

Looks like it would be a really handy tool for my young culls, I'll have to pick one up sometime.

 

[3KillerBs]

Cervical dislocation is considered the most humane and least messy. It takes skill rather than strength but if your wrists are knackered then it may not be for you. There are UTube videos that will show you how to do this.

I know how to do the broomstick method and have done it successfully a number of times.

My wrists are variable and weather-dependent. I will have to see if I can find my old braces and what the weather is like tomorrow morning.

One of the advantages of broomstick is how clean it is.

I need to get this boy out of my brooder tomorrow because I have a day off in good weather. There is no possibility of getting help. DH and the 21yo are too squeamish and the 16yo, who is untested but interested in learning when we do a batch of meaties, will be in school.

I guess what happens, happens.

 

[Mosey2003]

How old is this cockerel? If young enough, you could maybe use some smaller pruners and do it right over a bucket...

 

[Sally PB]

Good luck. Wishing I lived close enough to take him. But then I'd have to cull my roo.

 

[3KillerBs]

How old is this cockerel? If young enough, you could maybe use some smaller pruners and do it right over a bucket...

22 weeks. Small pruners would absolutely NOT (literally), cut it.

Good luck. Wishing I lived close enough to take him. But then I'd have to cull my roo.

You wouldn't want Yellow. He's a pretty yard ornament, but not a good breeder candidate.

 

[3KillerBs]

Culling Yellow tomorrow got easier tonight.

While I was checking on everyone tonight I heard a weird noise from the brooder, where he's alone now a week after the others were sold. I went over, thinking it was a predator trying to get in.

No, it was Yellow, trying frantically to get out to go to the others instead of going to roost in his coop.

It is not a good life for him to be alone there waiting for a buyer that is likely to never happen.

Whichever way I decide on, it will be quick and be over. He had a good meal of random leftovers, vegetable trimmings, and wet mash made with diluted meat drippings today so his last day was the best I could give him.

 

[Suzz]

I put down one of my hens who was in extreme distress by overdosing her with my senior dogs pain medication it was very peaceful the only way I think I could do it good luck to you you are far braver than I am

 

[3KillerBs]

I put down one of my hens who was in extreme distress by overdosing her with my senior dogs pain medication it was very peaceful the only way I think I could do it good luck to you you are far braver than I am

I'm intending to eat him so that would not be an option even if I had meds available.