Question: slicing throat vs. cutting head off when processing

[dixygirl]

Quote:
Wow, what a sad and touching post- thanks for sharing your story. I think the key is being able to disassociate them from pets. I'm not even sure I could watch a vet put my dogs down- I have no idea how I'll be able to handle it when that time comes. On the other hand, I have no reservations whatsoever about butchering my birds- I could never do anything "cruel" to any animal, but the the Cornish Rocks are walking meat at this point, and all the feathers and guts are just standing between me and the fried chicken I've been waiting so long for.

Another note about processing that I'm not sure about- if chickens are like mammals it's important to keep them calm before butchering. For example, I know that if you shoot a deer that has been running or stressed (or ran a distance after being shot,) the lactic acid built up in the muscles affects the flavor of the meat. Seems like that would be true in chickens as well- as in, it probably would be better not to kill the bird immediately after you chased it around the yard awhile trying to catch it.

Thank you Jaku. In a way I am afraid to cull my first animal because I think I may like it too much and become a homicidal maniac. I recall once a black snake was in the driveway and I drove over it repeatedly until it was dispatched. It gave me such a high that I could not believe. There are many human beings I have desired to dispatch when angry

. Though I never had a desire to dispatch an animal for food. But since I have stayed away from crosssing that line to my first real cull, it is still too taboo for me to act on my temptations. Once, however, I pass the threshold and remove the taboo, I fear it may be like a seductive drug to me. So it might be best for me to never dispatch an animal.

 

[greenthumb89]

i dont think the lactic acid is that much of a problem. my family used to raise cornish X and by the time that last chicken is around we were always chasing them. Pertaining to the slit versus chop, we tried chopping but the body went psycho and the wing bones came out of the wing...not a pretty sight, so we put them in funnels and slit their throats-seemed to work the best. and you should keep the heads on if you have a plucker. made that mistake...lol it just seems easier to clean them with head, it was mainly a handle.

 

[gypsychicken]

Not getting a scientific response here... I've been holding them on my lap and slicing the jugular. Some kick, some don't. Was trying to get an answer here. I try to keep them calm. It's the hardest 3 minutes of my week.

 

[LindaB220]

Google How to dry pluck a chicken. Easier...(So I hear, hehe)

 

[gypsychicken]

Tried it. Dry plucking took twice as long. Don't have that kind of time these days. Thanks, though.

 

[Beekissed]

Another note about processing that I'm not sure about- if chickens are like mammals it's important to keep them calm before butchering. For example, I know that if you shoot a deer that has been running or stressed (or ran a distance after being shot,) the lactic acid built up in the muscles affects the flavor of the meat. Seems like that would be true in chickens as well- as in, it probably would be better not to kill the bird immediately after you chased it around the yard awhile trying to catch it.​

Quote:

It's nice to catch them up the night before and contain them somewhere smaller or even truss the legs and lay them in the bedding so they are easy to collect the next morning. Eliminates all the frantic movement out of the process and makes for a more calm bird and human for the whole event.

Is there a benefit when processing in a killing cone to slicing the throat but keeping the head intact versus cutting the birds head off? The finality of cutting the head off seems more reasonable to me to ensure that I have killed the bird quickly and there is no pain, but if there is a reason not to maybe I will try to slice the jugular vein only in the future.

Yep, there is. When you lop off the head the body thrashes more, flinging blood in all directions...on the feathers, on your face, clothing and shoes before you can duck out of the way. Slicing one side of the throat is a more calm procedure wherein the bird just hangs there..you can hold gently onto the head and cock it to one side to facilitate a steady stream and then let go when it starts to move in the death throes...less messy, less dramatic all the way around. Less blood spatter.

 

[aoxa]

This thread is very helpful. I now understand the benefit of a cone over the animal's head like blinders so that it does not see anything coming. I guess I would lean toward the chop also because I could see that you could make a mistake trying to slice the throat and cause suffering and anxiety.

I am still struggling with whether I could dispatch any of my animals. My only experience is once taking a poodle that I had had for 15 years to the Vet to be put down. He had been my friend for a large portion of my life but was ailing and suffering. I stroked him and talked to him gently as the injection was administered. We peered into each other's eyes for the last time... eye to eye as I watched the calm look in his eyes freeze and fade to blankness.

I buried him in the yard.

I don't know if I can ever do it at all honestly.

You can make mistakes with the axe too... I have, and it was not fun. The bird totally saw it coming. In a cone they are in a trance and don't normally react.

 

[jsawler]

I use a machete, but am contimplating the cones. but I process such different size birds, I'm thinking I'd need quite a few cones..........

 

[Beekissed]

I use a machete, but am contimplating the cones. but I process such different size birds, I'm thinking I'd need quite a few cones..........

My bleach jug cones fit the largest rooster down to the tiniest silkie roo...and they are free!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I just chop off the whole head. I prefer to sever the spine.... I think it just ends the suffering faster. I do keep my birds confined the night before... So it is all nice and calm until the final chop. I also use a cone, but mine is made out of scrap hardware cloth...! The panic and flailing after chopping off the head is only percieved by us, not the dead chicken.