So...

I killed my first eight roosters. I want a cone but don't have one yet and my situation was calling for a number reduction (48 straight run, need ten hens). So I was in my driveway and I had these four cinder blocks stacked up and it occurred to me that I could whack their head on the block and then cut the head off and drain the blood in the bucket. Of course I had to ponder this idea over a few drinks. Now I am not a squeamish guy and have killed many animals hunting but still...So I decided it was humane enough because I don't want to hurt anything...I just want to kill and eat it. I grabbed the first one, a Naked Neck, and calmed and petted it until he was relaxed. I sort of said goodbye and thank you for feeding my family….turned and wacked his head hard against the block. As he was quivering I placed his body between my legs and cut his head off with sharp kitchen scissors. Quickly I held him neck down in a 5 gallon bucket and could hear and see much of the blood draining from his body. It took a little longer than I expected for him to stop twitching. It went well so I did seven more, three naked necks and four Buff Orpingtons…some went more peacefully than others but all and all I am pleased. I have processed many ducks and geese so the rest was as expected albeit easier. I will still get the cone and have not lost my desire to supply my family with eggs and chickens. Now which breed???? I have learned a lot with my first fifty chickens…but that is another post.