Slitting vs Chopping

[Buster52]

Humane slaughter has always been a big deal to me. For that reason, I have always chopped, except a few times where I experimented. Those experiences went so badly I was convinced it couldn't be done humanely.

A few weeks ago, a friend who knows what he is doing was processing some 60 broilers. So, I asked if I could help with it so he could train me on some of the things he learned at Polyface farm last year. Considering that farm processes over 10,000 birds annually, I was convinced this young man was well versed in proper processing methods.

I was right.

Since killing has always been the hardest part for me, and since it was important that I learn to slit correctly if I was going to evaluate it fairly, I asked to be stationed at the kill station. Besides, since they were going to be slit anyway, my conscience would be somewhat assuaged. It isn't like I'm making the choice for these birds.

As I somewhat suspected, it went much better than my previous attempts at slitting. We had 8 cones going and a four bird scalder, so I slit 4 in a row and let them bleed out, while I refilled the other cones following the removal of birds by the guy at the scald station. I ended up doing about 45 of the birds myself. It went so well, in fact, that I have come to the conclusion if done correctly with a sharp knife, it can be close enough to chopping in humaneness that I now feel it is okay.

I slit deep on both sides, just below the bone next to the ear, avoiding the trachea to avoid suffocation. I don't really know if the bird suffers, but I don't think it does. I watched them carefully for signs of trauma. They looked surprised or confused at first, then pass out before they are even aware they are in pain or there is something wrong, based on their reactions. They are out within 3 to 5 seconds at most.

I have come to the conclusion that it is sufficiently humane that when I sell or give birds to others, I will slit. Because I believe it is just slightly quicker, I will continue to chop birds for my own table.

But slitting is fine, if done correctly. If you can, find someone who knows what they are doing to teach you. The guy doing the bleeding out in this video is the one who taught me...

 

[rungirl]

Chopping is less cruel. Slitting makes them have to suffocate

They do not suffocate. Unless you cut the windpipe, which might cause some stress, it's fairly trauma free. I have used the axe and sometimes if you don't get a good chop, you have to take a second swing to completely sever the head. Then there's the flapping... I had one big roo break his wing off by flapping afterwards. Blood splattering everywhere is messy also. I think the slit is easy and the bird is calm and just passes out and dies peacefully. The blood drains into a bucket and it's done.​

 

[Buster52]

Chopping, like slitting, is a learned skill but a much simpler one. If you don't know what you are doing with the slit, however, it can be far more traumatic for the bird. The flopping around thing is easily solved by wiring the feet together and hanging the bird from something that is free of obstruction. It still flaps, but it won't bruise.

Actually, the bird in the cone reacts pretty much the same way as the chopped bird. It's just restrained and more difficult to see the death spasms. For many people, out of sight means it didn't happen. If you slit a bird in a cone, then took it out and dropped it on the ground, you would see what I mean.

Chopping can also be very stress free for the bird, if done right. All of this stuff is moot if it isn't, of course.

For an untrained beginner, I would definitely recommend chopping, if it is a humane death you are after. Just get a very broad, very sharp axe and aim carefully. Wire the feet together, hang it from something before chopping to calm the bird, place its head between two nails on a stump, then hang it again after the fact.

 

[twentynine]

I use a very sharp knife and slit/remove the head. Used the same method with rabbits.