Study on Mechanical vs. Manual Cervical Dislocation

[Parront]

It is a photo of a bird's head from the bottom as removed after CD was done manually. The bit in the middle is where the spinal column attached when it was alive.

So, was it dislocated right at the base of the skull? C1 for a human?

 

[BantyChooks]

So, was it dislocated right at the base of the skull? C1 for a human?

I believe so, in between the skull and the atlas vertebrae. The bird's beak was located ventrally in the image, if that helps you get a sense of it.

 

[Parront]

I believe so, in between the skull and the atlas vertebrae. The bird's beak was located ventrally in the image, if that helps you get a sense of it.

Does this allow the bird to bleed out?

 

[BantyChooks]

Does this allow the bird to bleed out?

Not as well if the head is left on, but if you hang it upsidedown, much of the blood does collect in the ruptured area of the neck. It kind of tears the centre muscle apart too and leaves a kind of "skin pocket". I generally remove the remaining skin/flesh with a knife immediately after to allow it to drip freely. The carcass quality seems suitable to me with that procedure.

 

[Parront]

I am all in favor of humane treatment. I used to hang them upside down and cut the throat to bleed them out. No struggles or out cry.

 

[Parront]

Not as well if the head is left on, but if you hang it upsidedown, much of the blood does collect in the ruptured area of the neck. It kind of tears the centre muscle apart too and leaves a kind of "skin pocket". I generally remove the remaining skin/flesh with a knife immediately after to allow it to drip freely. The carcass quality seems suitable to me with that procedure.

Soon I will have some young cockerels to work on, I would do this if it it is better. Us old peeps might not be learning the new tricks, though.

 

[Parront]

I expect that I will have a post regarding this business about 8 weeks after I get those nice new chicks -- sometime around the second week of November.

 

[BantyChooks]

Soon I will have some young cockerels to work on, I would do this if it it is better. Us old peeps might not be learning the new tricks, though.

I find it preferable due to the fact that it causes physical brain damage rather than leaving brain death up to oxygen deprivation, but the time-tested throat slit is certainly not terrible, from what I have seen. According to one vet, it takes the bird 3 minutes to lose consciousness, but that makes no sense to me; the massive loss of blood pressure should theoretically knock them out cold in seconds. I need to research this.

 

[Parront]

I find it preferable due to the fact that it causes physical brain damage rather than leaving brain death up to oxygen deprivation, but the time-tested throat slit is certainly not terrible, from what I have seen. According to one vet, it takes the bird 3 minutes to lose consciousness, but that makes no sense to me; the massive loss of blood pressure should theoretically knock them out cold in seconds. I need to research this.

I think 3 minutes seems longer than I have experienced. I hang them and weight them, then pierce the brain through the upper mouth cavity, finally slit the carotid artery and bleed into a bucket. I learned this from family years ago, so I do not have a video reference.

 

[BantyChooks]

I think 3 minutes seems longer than I have experienced. I hang them and weight them, then pierce the brain through the upper mouth cavity, finally slit the carotid artery and bleed into a bucket. I learned this from family years ago, so I do not have a video reference.

Pithing, right? I wouldn't bother changing, then. Seems like a solid method and definitely disrupts brain function.