processing question

[vsmenagerie]

Im not sure how to search this, so thought I would just ask. I hope its ok!

Ive been reading a lot the past week, and I see two ways to kill the chicken...bleed it out, but leave the head on, or just cutting the head off

Is one way better then the other? Because I helped my husbands family with theirs quite a few years ago and they just cut the heads off but it seems the other way may be more preferred? Id like to find out, so I can discuss with my husband. He's the one that will be doing that part lol

Thanks. I hope this makes sense?

 

[txreddirtgirl]

I haven't had meat birds yet (in process of getting some!) But I've been reading this board in order to get ready for mine. The general consensus seems to be that if you slit the artery and let them bleed (without cutting the head off) the heart will continue to pump therefore expelling all the blood. If you cut the head off the heart wont pump as long or as good and blood will be left in the system...... At least, that's what I get from the 'to cut the head off or not to cut the head off' argument. Again, this is just from reading on here, not from any experience of my own. Hopefully someone with a bit of experience will answer better than me!

 

[vsmenagerie]

Thanks

I had read that, but again, wasnt sure if one is "better" or just more preferred? I remember they just cut the head off and let the chicken go..which in a sick way, is somewhat comical but sort of messy and one actually flew into a tree. That was fun to get out lol We'll have cones for sure.

 

[leeyuh]

We just had to slaughter one and we cut the artery and let it bleed first. We have a friend who raises and processes tons of chickens by hand, he also agrees to do it this way. When it came down to the moment, i watched this video and they say the same thing:

Something about the way it affects the meat?

 

[bwmichaud]

Having done both, I feel that they bleed out faster, and some will say more completely, by slitting the throat. Logistically, it is also easier and safer to place the chicken in a cone and slit the throat than it is to chop the head with an ax on a stump. It also seems to me to be more humane and less traumatic for me. I took some birds to a processing facility once and they put them in the cones and then cut the head completely off. The neck swirled around and around and blood went everywhere. When you slit the throat the blood, for the most part, just runs downward.

 

[trulyblessed]

Quote:
Yeah I agree with this. Plus I feel that as the blood drains, they kinda loose consciencous and it's more humane.

 

[Avalon1984]

Quote:
Yeah I agree with this. Plus I feel that as the blood drains, they kinda loose consciencous and it's more humane.

I think this is a great point and I may choose this method next time as well. Chickens have an amazing resistance to pain and I don't think they feel anything when you slit their throat. I had a chick get half it's wing eaten off by the others for one reason or another, but he never cared about it much. looked terribly graphic but it healed well. No chicken wings out of this guy.

 

[PotterWatch]

I've used both methods as well and slitting the throat is definitely my choice because of the things listed in above posts.

 

[Wheeler Farms Chickens]

So, is the wringing the neck out of the question? I plan on skinning the chicken and just taking the breast, thighs and wings this first time. My wife doesnt want to mess with anything else just yet. Also, what about getting some kind of snips to take off the wings and feet? Wouldnt that be easier than using a knife to cut at the joint?

 

[jdopler]

actually the joints come apart fairly easily the knife is just to cut the skin around it. Using snips could cause small bone/cartilage fragments to be left behind.
As a small woman with small (not super strong) hands I definitely prefer the knife method. But I also save the feet and wing tips for broth making or as dog treats.