Respectful Culls, Processing Tips

[bobbi-j]

I wish I had someone that could show me how to do the arterial slice properly. Until then I’ll stick with idiot proof stump and cleaver.

DH uses the hatchet and stump method. I am not coordinated enough to attempt that. If I ever end up having to kill my birds for processing, I'll use a cone. Until then, DH is willing and able to do it, so I'll let him.

 

[Frog Bog]

Honestly, I use a skinning knife when I do it. The curve imo helps slice. It needs to stay sharp which takes practice, but when you get the feel for it you'll miss most of the feathers. It only takes a short slice with little effort. The Stump/cleaver works well to. USDA likes to see the stun then slice method.

I've used this knife for 15+ years, 5" skinner. My buddy likes to use a scimitar style boning knife.

 

[Fairview01]

Start with this.

Victorinox 8" curved breaking knife.

And learn how to use a sharpening steel and use it frequently during processing

Also Victorinox

 

[ShannonR]

I will second what others have said about using a SHARP knife. But, in a pinch, even My pocket knife will do.

Curved blade is helpful. Serrated blade helps a little more.

I grab their heads and pull fairly hard on the neck to stretch it out. Then I make one cut on each side of the neck. I try not to cut through the windpipe, I am going for arteries not trachea. One on each side, you'll get a better bleed out that way. Blood still sprays all over you, but it is faster.

I make sure to try not to cut through feathers, they will really mess up your cut. Try to use the hand holding the head to separate the feathers and expose your target cut area.

I cut HARD. Better to use overkill than to botch it. Worst case scenario, the entire head comes off. Either way is fine with me, a headless bird is not suffering.

I like the scapel idea, and would suggest that if you don't feel like your knife is up to the job. I have a handy castration scalpel with replaceable curved blades that I imagine would be real handy for killing chickens... never thought about that until now.

I have no idea if this makes a difference, but I do not use a cone. I hang mine from their feet with rope (baling twine to be precise). It's possible the weight hanging down and not being supported by the cone helps me stretch the neck out a little better. I dunno.

Any other gruesome small details you would like me to share?