Slaughtering methods

[NUb01]

How does everybody do the slaughtering? What do you find is the best method?

 

[Isadora]

We use a kill cone to restrain and slice the jugular and let them bleed out.
If I was doing a mercy kill I would cut the head off with an ax or hatchet because I don't care about bleed out, just want the animal to not suffer any longer.

 

[Molpet]

I tape ankles with cheap electrical tape and put in a cut up kitty litter jug

I remove the head with a PVC pipe cutter.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

We've only done one method so far: beheading with a sharp hatchet.

It worked for us and we felt it was pretty humane. Besides the spasms (which will happen with any method you use), it seemed like with this method it's pretty much "over" as soon as you chop the head off. They seem to lose consciousness right away. If you can deal with the gore, it's a pretty decent method. After all, it's one of the oldest methods of chicken dispatch.

 

[3KillerBs]

I like the broomstick method.

It's fast, bloodless when done correctly (the blood drains into the skin where the spine is separated), and easy on my arthritic wrists.

 

[igorsMistress]

We use a kill cone and cut the head off. Hubs has to do it because I don’t have the strength to.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Interesting. The first four responses are four different methods. Which shows that there is not any one way that is best for everyone. What you need is the method that is best for you.

To me, the best way is the way you can. You need to be sure. If you flinch or close your eyes at the wrong time you can injure the bird instead of cleanly killing it or you can injure yourself. You need the right equipment and you need to be able to use that equipment. There are little tricks that can make it easier.

I use the hatchet and stump method. I have a stump (actually a tree trunk section cut off that acts like a stump), I still have the strength, coordination, and eyesight I need, and I grew up using axes, hammers, hatchets and such so I am confident in my ability to hit the target. I don't recommend this method for everybody.

I have no idea which method will be best for you. Some version of the kill cone seems to be most popular with newcomers, but even there you can slice the jugular so they bleed to death or use something to cut off the head.

My suggestion is to ask for details on a specific method and ask questions. See if it is something you could do.

 

[Sussex19]

I use the broomstick method, which has worked well for me.
The reasons I chose it were, I believe it is one of the more humane ways, it keeps things clean and tidy, and its more hands off than some other ways.

 

[Chickhawk]

I remove the head with a PVC pipe cutter.

View attachment 3321308

That is a genius idea. Just ordered one from my local hardware store today. Will be ready for my next batch of meat birds in the spring.

 

[Molpet]

That is a genius idea. Just ordered one from my local hardware store today. Will be ready for my next batch of meat birds in the spring.

Not my idea but I can't remember who posted it.

I use tree type lopper for the turkey, someone else's idea again