Slitting turkeys

[Buster52]

Quote:
What do you mean by "high"? You mean too close to the head?

 

[DCS]

There is a jugular vein and a carotid artery on each side of the neck (just like in people.) You want to cut all four, ideally. The carotid is deeper, and under higher pressure so you will get a quicker unconsciousness and death if you sever them, rather than just the slightly shallower jugulars. On the first few chickens I did, I hesitated, and only hit the jugulars. Looking in the wound, you should be able to see the artery if you don't cut deep enough the first time.

I use a very sharp knife - my aim with a hatchet is dreadful.

 

[slaghunter]

Not sure about turkeys but for my chickens I use a utility knife. You know from the hardware store for construction work. I like them because with the blade all the way out it is about 1" long which is plenty long enough for a chicken. The great thing is with disposable blades you are always guaranteed a razor sharp blade. If it gets dull just flip it over or put in a new blade. If you have a new blade you can cut yourself pretty deep without even feeling it. (trust me I know from experience) I think a sharp knife is the most humane way if you decide to slit.

 

[Buster52]

And the winner is (drumroll, please)...

Steve's battleaxe.

Actually it's this one...

Got it at Home Depot for $22. Nice, wide, flat blade made it perfect for chopping. Killed all four turkeys with a single swing each. And it is just as well. Slitting isn't my thing, and I was starting to feel as though I might have to stop raising turkeys if I couldn't get a quicker, cleaner kill than I had been getting. With this axe, one swing and it is done.

Thanks so much for all the advice and encouragement. Y'all are great.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

great job, Buster!!!

and thanks for the axe update.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
What do you mean by "high"? You mean too close to the head?

when I said high, I mean not close enough to the jaw

 

[jaku]

Quote:
For the turkeys we just did, I got some of the birdshot shells for my .22. From about 2-3 feet out, that will kill your turkey quick, and won't do much of anything beyond that range. It worked great.

 

[dancingbear]

When we raised some turkeys, (huge BBB's) my DH walked up behind them and shot them in the head with a .22. They dropped immediately, it was quick, they never knew what hit them. I have one turkey this year, not very big, (Royal Palm) I've been trying to decide how to dispatch her.

For slitting, I use a long bladed, very sharp boning knife. I need the blade length to insure a deep cut. I tried a scalpel, (on chickens) and didn't get deep enough. The extra length of the "draw" helps if you don't have a lot of hand strength.

 

[Ed barbar]

A CLEAVER works wonders !!!

Couple of thoughts. I think if you cut the neck, the heart stops, and so it doesn't push blood out. I made the mistake of cutting off a chicken's head once, and it was horrifying as the animal tried over a 30 second period to scream, but it had no lungs, and it passed out.

The important thing I think is to get the carotid artery, using a very sharp blade (I use a new razor), but I'm still not getting it right, instead getting the jugular, and it keeps the bird alive too long. Especially turkeys! I don't want them to suffer, and that's why I use a razor. Personal experience tells me you can't feel it! I think it would be better to get the carotid artery, but I've only found it once in three birds. I'm thinking it may be deeper in turkeys than in humans. Any help appreciated!

And NO cutting heads off! Leaves blood in the bird, and it definitely knows what's going on.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Couple of thoughts. I think if you cut the neck, the heart stops, and so it doesn't push blood out. I made the mistake of cutting off a chicken's head once, and it was horrifying as the animal tried over a 30 second period to scream, but it had no lungs, and it passed out.

The important thing I think is to get the carotid artery, using a very sharp blade (I use a new razor), but I'm still not getting it right, instead getting the jugular, and it keeps the bird alive too long. Especially turkeys! I don't want them to suffer, and that's why I use a razor. Personal experience tells me you can't feel it! I think it would be better to get the carotid artery, but I've only found it once in three birds. I'm thinking it may be deeper in turkeys than in humans. Any help appreciated!

And NO cutting heads off! Leaves blood in the bird, and it definitely knows what's going on.

I don't think it leaves blood in. (Big size difference, I know, but it's all I've done so far), I cut the heads off my quail and they drain a lot of blood if you keep them upside down to drain