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

[ronott1]

Thanks. Do arrows (for killing deer) make a fairly loud whistling sound? Hunting isn't allowed in the neighborhood (two to five acre lots in the country). A few of my neighbors feed the deer so we are overrun with runty, starving deer. A big buck showed up a few weeks ago, big, round and fat with a large rack of antlers. He's beautiful, but I'm not happy to have a big buck in my yard all the time--rutting season no less--thanks to my neighbors' deer feeder.

It depends on the type broadhead used. Some of them make the arrow spin and they will make a whistle sound.

 

[jajeanpierre]

It depends on the type broadhead used. Some of them make the arrow spin and they will make a whistle sound.

Thanks. I think you solved my mystery. The first crack was quite sharp, but there was a distinct whistle following it. Can some kind of a trigger make a really sharp crack sound? It sounded like someone was snapping a small dry branch. I will be watching to see if that buck is here again and whether or not the population drops. Cute as they are, they are dangerous when they are not afraid of people and are protecting fawns on my front porch.

 

[tadaen sylverma]

Not to derail the conversation but on topic of the thread... I just now attempted to whack a mole the 2 birds we have right now, in preparation for a batch of 15 chicks enroute next week. I got a stump, a heavy cleaver... and I just couldn't do it. I did it years back but just now it almost pushed me to being a vegetarian, the thought was to much. How can I get past this and do what needs doing. Worst case I will raise them and sell them likely at a loss to a redneck friend.

I realize what is likely holding me back is the horror show of a flopping around bird minus head. Maybe I should consider the cone method? I don'tt know what to do.

 

[hennible]

Hang up the cone, or use a jug with the bottom cut of, something sturdy. Chop the head off and put the bird in the cone or jug.... Hold the bum let the legs pump... After it's bleed out continue processing. Now if you are asking about placing a live bird in a cone to kill just ignore me... That I have not done.

 

[Tomtommom]

I dispatch mine with a broomstick. Best method ever in my opinion. I can do it single handedly,

 

[ronott1]

I dispatch mine with a broomstick. Best method ever in my opinion. I can do it single handedly,

The Broom handle works great.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Not to derail the conversation but on topic of the thread... I just now attempted to whack a mole the 2 birds we have right now, in preparation for a batch of 15 chicks enroute next week. I got a stump, a heavy cleaver... and I just couldn't do it. I did it years back but just now it almost pushed me to being a vegetarian, the thought was to much. How can I get past this and do what needs doing. Worst case I will raise them and sell them likely at a loss to a redneck friend.

I realize what is likely holding me back is the horror show of a flopping around bird minus head. Maybe I should consider the cone method? I don'tt know what to do.

Start right at the beginning as if you've never done it and research what method you feel most comfortable with. Read about the pros and cons of each method--pay attention to what can go wrong and understand how to prevent it and what to do if it happens. When you've decided on a method, watch videos. There are ways to restrain the bird after the head if off If it is just the violent death throes that is putting you off the chop method. There are death throes regardless of the method you use, but I think decapitation has the most violent ones. Heck, I took a favorite hen in to the vet to be euthanizied and even when unconscious she went into death throes. I was pretty surprised.

 

[ronott1]

Start right at the beginning as if you've never done it and research what method you feel most comfortable with. Read about the pros and cons of each method--pay attention to what can go wrong and understand how to prevent it and what to do if it happens. When you've decided on a method, watch videos. There are ways to restrain the bird after the head if off If it is just the violent death throes that is putting you off the chop method. There are death throes regardless of the method you use, but I think decapitation has the most violent ones. Heck, I took a favorite hen in to the vet to be euthanizied and even when unconscious she went into death throes. I was pretty surprised.

Yes, death throes are nerve impulses that happen regardless how they die.

It is to be expected so be prepared.

 

[tadaen sylverma]

I do appreciate the replies in my case, and I am thankful I found this forum however long ago. The people here are great. That being said I am very unsure of my meat bird plan so for now I have cancelled my order from MurrayMcMurray which was set to hatch on the 27th, and delivered that week (15 Pioneers specifically for freezer camp). I figured I did this 15 years ago, should be doable now but I was dead wrong. I will get a few hens locally just for eggs I think.

Broom handle sounds equally difficult, not sure how that bodes with bleeding out well either. I will give it some time, maybe make or come up with a cone and try the jugular slice. Slamming down the cleaver just seems so violent.

 

[ronott1]

I do appreciate the replies in my case, and I am thankful I found this forum however long ago. The people here are great. That being said I am very unsure of my meat bird plan so for now I have cancelled my order from MurrayMcMurray which was set to hatch on the 27th, and delivered that week (15 Pioneers specifically for freezer camp). I figured I did this 15 years ago, should be doable now but I was dead wrong. I will get a few hens locally just for eggs I think.

Can you find someone else to do the kill part?

That seems to work for a lot of us.