Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

[ronott1]

I hope I'm not too late to get some support here - although I'm not sure what anyone can say. I'm not sure I can make myself slaughter this rooster, but he has got to go. He's becoming troublesome. I think I know what to do after watching some youtube videos. I have a very sharp knife ready. I can't seem to make myself do it. I've been raising chickens for a bit over a year now, and I really love it. I hope it'll be a hobby for the rest of my life - including hatching eggs. I'm going to have to find a way to deal with the extra roosters (and older hens). I've been thinking about this for a year, and it just makes the most sense for me to dispatch them myself. This is one of the videos I've watched - the one with the method I want to use:

I don't have a cone. Will the holding in the lap thing be a really bad idea?

The best way to do it is to start doing it.

I watched a video--you can set up a trash can, put bricks in the bottom and line it with a garbage bag. tie the bird up by the feet using rope and put him half way into the garbage can. Use the sharpest knife you have. If you need to have a knife sharpened, take it to a Meat Department. Most Butchers will sharpen the knife for you for free. Now is the time to make two deep cuts on each side of the neck.

You may not make it all the way the first couple of times. It is fine to take him down and try again if you just can't do it. It is like someone quitting smoking. The more times you try the higher the chance that you will succeed. If you really can't do the killing, find someone that will do it for you.

You can do it!

 

[Tomtommom]

That's the video I watched before doing our cockerel.... It does NOT work. This lady is dispatching old hens, used to being held. Cockerels aren't going to sit still while you fumble to find the right spot.

I was in love with that video, it seemed so humane.... it's not if it goes wrong, like so many do on their first try.

My second try I used a different method: You loosely place a broom (or a wrench, or metal pipe or whatever) over the birds neck. Step on one side of the item, holding the birds' feet with your hands (his head rests on the ground). Then you step on the other side, while pulling on his feet. This will sever the spine. No blood. I did it with my husband. He stepped, I pulled (because I'm not that coordinated dangit).

 

[LindaB220]

She is a NICE looking bird!!!!

ISA's are supposed to be top notch layers. Too bad about TSC-- I have heard that over and over again. NOT that hard to knwo what birds were ordered-- if from a reputable source.

Here's where to buy ISA Browns:

http://townlinehatchery.com/

 

[ronott1]

That's the video I watched before doing our cockerel.... It does NOT work. This lady is dispatching old hens, used to being held. Cockerels aren't going to sit still while you fumble to find the right spot.

I was in love with that video, it seemed so humane.... it's not if it goes wrong, like so many do on their first try.

My second try I used a different method: You loosely place a broom (or a wrench, or metal pipe or whatever) over the birds neck. Step on one side of the item, holding the birds' feet with your hands (his head rests on the ground). Then you step on the other side, while pulling on his feet. This will sever the spine. No blood. I did it with my husband. He stepped, I pulled (because I'm not that coordinated dangit).

Snapping the neck it a good way to dispatch a bird.

 

[RachaelS]

That's the video I watched before doing our cockerel.... It does NOT work. This lady is dispatching old hens, used to being held. Cockerels aren't going to sit still while you fumble to find the right spot.

I was in love with that video, it seemed so humane.... it's not if it goes wrong, like so many do on their first try.

My second try I used a different method: You loosely place a broom (or a wrench, or metal pipe or whatever) over the birds neck. Step on one side of the item, holding the birds' feet with your hands (his head rests on the ground). Then you step on the other side, while pulling on his feet. This will sever the spine. No blood. I did it with my husband. He stepped, I pulled (because I'm not that coordinated dangit).

I saw a show where an Amish girl was doing this, she was quick! Did it really work well for you?

 

[Tomtommom]

You will always deal with flapping and other freaky stuff that makes you think they're not dead. But I held on to his legs during the flapping and I could feel him getting cold. It was a bit unnerving, but much less than watching a bird suffer because you can't seem to make the cuts where they need to go and they're not deep enough and OMG he's pulling his neck in and he's getting mad and you're getting upset because he's suffering etc. Never again. If you must cut, get a cone and cut deep/the whole head off. Atleast it'll be quick.

 

[Tomtommom]

http://rabbittalk.com/post11932.html

They use this method for rabbits too. That site has good pictures that show you how it's done.

 

[RachaelS]

http://rabbittalk.com/post11932.html

They use this method for rabbits too. That site has good pictures that show you how it's done.

Thank you for posting. Reading the whole thread now!

 

[costello]

Thanks, Ronott and Tomtommom. Thanks for the feedback on the video. I'm in love with it too. This rooster is used to being carried by me, but he's also big and strong and has bitten me more than once. I'd just like to minimize the chances of this first kill being stressful. If that's not the best method for my first try, I'll pick a different one. I do have a sharp knife. I learned to sharpen a knife on a stone just for this. In fact, when I realized I'd gotten it sharp enough my heart sank. No more excuses. I have a coworker from Uganda who has told me that there they put the bird on the ground and stand with a foot on each wing, pinning it to the ground. Then they cut the jugular and let it bleed out. Why do so many people not cut the head off entirely? What's the reasoning? I may just get a cone. Does that have to be attached to something? I'm trying to picture where I'd put it to avoid getting blood all over the place. Does it matter if the other chickens see it? Is that a stupid question? Oh, btw, do farm stores carry those cones or will I have to order it? I don't want another excuse for delay.

 

[costello]

What about this? Knocking it out beforehand?