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

[LindaB220]

Oh, I sure know where you are coming from. It's been a very, very hard thing for me to do. Re-homing isn't the answer--why should you give away all your hard earned work for someone else to slaughter (who might not do it kindly). The kindest thing is to do it yourself.

Reading is a start and is a good way to decide on what method you want to use, but YouTube videos are a much better learning tool.

Choose the method you want to learn. When you choose the method, also evaluate how much error there might be and what that error would be. Chopping off a head with an ax is pretty quick and clean but there can be a lot go wrong. My avian vet dislocates their cervical spine when he processes chickens but I am pretty sure I would not be able to dislocate the spine quickly enough or with enough force to finish the job. I've thought about the broom handle method. I've thought about shooting the bird in the head with a bb gun. Pithing is pretty exact, so not the method for a novice with no one to show them (in my opinion). I finally settled on slicing the carotid arteries.

If you are going to use a knife, it has to be really, really sharp. Also, make sure it is long enough. I think the knives I've bought are a bit too short. You need to use a lot more force than you think you need. Being timid only makes it a longer, more stressful process. A couple of other pointers if slicing the neck is to pull the skin really tight--if you don't you won't get a deep enough cut. You want to make one cut deep on one side and then quickly do the same on the other to get both carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the arteries which feed the brain, the jugular vein takes the blood from the brain to the heart. If you only go deep enough to get the jugular, the fresh oxygenated blood will still be feeding the brain and it will take a long time for the animal to lose consciousness from lack of oxygen to the brain.

If you are going to use and ax practice, practice, practice. Use a stick and practice chopping it completely in half--you need to know how much force (more is better unless you lose control) and you need to be accurate. Most people use a wide hatchet.

Learn what a dying chicken looks like. It's not pretty but it is better to be prepared. I think a decapitated chicken struggles more at/after death than one that is bled out, but I've never decapitated one so I really don't know from my own experience.

The actual cleaning of the bird is not hard nor is it very upsetting. I, and I think others on this thread, found the actual killing to be really hard to do emotionally. Watch a lot of YouTube videos to learn how to kill and how to clean.

The day you are planning to process this bird, be very prepared. Know exactly what you are going to do. Have everything you need on hand and ready. Have a book open to the pages on cleaning for reference because you will forget something. Know that there is a skill to doing this and you will not be skilled the first few times, but work really hard to make the kill quick and stress free. You can do that the first time if you are determined--just keep in mind you can't be timid. Timid is what causes most of the disasters. Timid, dull knives and poor aim. You don't want to be going back hacking away at the bird.

Do you know how you want to dispatch the bird?

If you want to learn how to do it from a person, you might try contacting a high school that offers some agriculture classes. The person running that program might have some suggestions. Four-H Clubs might also have someone who could help.

Very good post.!!!!

My first try was not a success. The knife I thought was sharp turned out the be as dull as a butter knife. Lesson learned. I ordered a very good knife and am prepared for the next time. It took a little longer but I did finish up. I skinned instead of using hot water and plucking, and next time I'll do the other. I like to have the skin on my bird. But it was the first bird and I thought it would be easier. You still need a good bit of strength to pull it off.

 

[Happy Chooks]

This weekend I will be processing three cockerels. They are good at crowing. I think in the future I will cull for crowing.

I do love a good crowing rooster!

Oh believe me, I love a nice crow. My favorites are my Barnevelder's crows, low and mellow, just like they are. This Cream Legbar male has the fingernail on chalkboard type crow and it's hideously loud. It was awful from the moment he started crowing, it didn't improve with age. He is separated now because he was too rough on my hens. I have several Welsummer and Barnevelder culls that will be making their way to the freezer as well. But the Legbar is outta here the first chance I have.

 

[ronott1]

Oh believe me, I love a nice crow. My favorites are my Barnevelder's crows, low and mellow, just like they are. This Cream Legbar male has the fingernail on chalkboard type crow and it's hideously loud. It was awful from the moment he started crowing, it didn't improve with age. He is separated now because he was too rough on my hens. I have several Welsummer and Barnevelder culls that will be making their way to the freezer as well. But the Legbar is outta here the first chance I have.

Yes, I would cull for a legbar crow!

 

[chicken pickin]

Oh believe me, I love a nice crow.  My favorites are my Barnevelder's crows, low and mellow, just like they are.  This Cream Legbar male has the fingernail on chalkboard type crow and it's hideously loud.  It was awful from the moment he started crowing, it didn't improve with age.  He is separated now because he was too rough on my hens.  I have several Welsummer and Barnevelder culls that will be making their way to the freezer as well.  But the Legbar is outta here the first chance I have.

Yes, I would cull for a legbar crow!

Right there with you both. Cream Legbars have horrible crows just as Happy Chooks describes. My favorite CL breeder is always on the verge of culling due to that crow lol he's lucky he's my best CL male right now lol and will stick around.

I will however be 3 CL cockerels lighter this Friday

 

[Happy Chooks]

Dang, I can't imagine 4 of them!

Thankfully, I don't breed them. I do love the hens and their pretty eggs though.

 

[Bazy]

I have set the time for Saturday at dusk when the other chickens will be asleep. My husband has gone so far as to offer to make me a cone. If I chicken out, so be it. I'm going to have my instructions handy, and this thread open. Wish me luck...

 

[ronott1]

I have set the time for Saturday at dusk when the other chickens will be asleep. My husband has gone so far as to offer to make me a cone. If I chicken out, so be it. I'm going to have my instructions handy, and this thread open. Wish me luck...

That is a good plan!

I will be checking in on the thread on Saturday.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

I have set the time for Saturday at dusk when the other chickens will be asleep. My husband has gone so far as to offer to make me a cone. If I chicken out, so be it. I'm going to have my instructions handy, and this thread open. Wish me luck...

That is a good plan!

I will be checking in on the thread on Saturday.

Glad your husband is being suportive. I will be around on Sat too

. The first one is the hardest, I know I do best not to think about it too much and just do what needs to be done.........then break down and cry afterwards

We'll be here to walk you through it!!!

 

[BullChick]

Quote:
Agreed! You aren't alone. Tell us all about your worry, your mistakes, your tears. Heck, tell us the color and consistency of your bile if it will make you feel better (though I think pictures of your bile may be a bit much.

). I actually got through the first time by arguing with my husband. It was a valid reason, mind you. But it kept me from focusing on what was going on. In August I did my first two turkeys. I was fine throughout the whole thing (shocked me!) and can't wait to eat them!

 

[hennible]

I have set the time for Saturday at dusk when the other chickens will be asleep.  My husband has gone so far as to offer to make me a  cone.  If I chicken out, so be it.  I'm going to have my instructions handy, and this thread open.  Wish me luck...

Oh that's a great idea, after dusk. Tomorrow I will be processing one roo and one drake... Never done a duck before and never my own birds... I think I will cry. It's seen too me it's going be harder to do only two birds.... They will seem so individual rather than doing a large group when it all just turns into a flow, head down, *** up.... Just work.
My DH ( until recently a vegetarian ) will do the killing I the holding and processing... Any advice on the ducks processing would be appreciated, wish me luck and swift clean kills.