The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

to brandislee: there is an old fashioned method to kill poultry that is supposed to be painless...hang the bird up by the feet or in a cone or other restrainer and INSERT A VERY SHARP KNIFE POINT THROUGH THE MOUTH DIRECTLY INTO THE BRAIN...this is the method illustrated in old poultry books on processing...the bird is killed instantly and without undue trauma...

It's called Pithing, and you can mess this up as well.

Any of these methods can be botched.

I find cutting the jugular the easiest and the most pain free way to kill them. They really don't feel it.. Think of a time you received an injury.. did you feel it instantly? Usually it takes a while for the pain to kick in. By the time the pain would kick in, they are already dead.

The most traumatizing part for the bird is being handled by you before you are to dispatch them.. unless your bird likes to be held of course... I have only processed roosters and dispatched unthrifty hens.

With small birds I take the head right off with a sharp knife - easy. With a large bird the jugular is the easiest way for me. Everyone is different - I don't use the axe method because I have botched it.. twice... I have botched a neck breaking as well.

I do hold the neck in place until they start to convulse. I find they go quicker if held so the blood drains faster. Once they start to convulse - I know they are already dead so it doesn't bother me like it did in the beginning.. though I had one chick that convulsed for 3 -4 minutes strait. She had her head cut off so was definitely dead.

 

[Kassaundra]

I hang them upside down in a type of killing cone and shoot point blank in the head w/ a pellet rifle, pellet size .17 works everytime, they are relaxed like they do when you put them upside down then they are dead. Quick and easy for both the bird and me.

 

[midnightroo]

Mummy, could you show me what you use to hold down your plastic on your hoop houses? I tried it this winter with pvc "holders" my husband bought, but the wind still blew the plastic off. I want to get a jump on the tomatoes and peppers and do more gardening in the winter. The chickweed did very well under it so I am hoping I can do one just for the chickens next winter.

I have a friend who has chickens also. For the last week she has had one hen in the house because the comb was pale and it was very lethargic. She did say that it wasn't pooping very much, and tried a warm bath, which she pooped well afterwards, but not so much later on. Anyway, the hen's comb got little brighter, but it isnt well and they cant cull it and don't want to spend the money at the vets. I get upset every time I think about this poor bird suffering so my question is should I offer to help her cull it? I have never done it before. I hate killing anything, except bad bugs that don't like to share, but I can't stand to see an animal suffer.

Thanks
Christine

 

[camilleathome]

• Blood – either from pig, sheep, lamb, cow, chicken, or goose (each author believing their choice is preferred)
• Filler that varies with region (e.g., oatmeal, buckwheat, breadcrumbs, barley, or other grains);
• Onions and regional spices.

All of these are typically smashed together and stuffed into a sausage casing, than steamed, boiled, or smoked.

Thank you . Just yet another way not to waste. Now to find a way to use up the rest of the insides except for the gizard and heart and neck.(I could probably take a walk in the woods and leave them there for scavengers to grab as well.

 

[BlueMouse]

Guess what came in the mail today??? My sixteen guinea keets! They were all alive and well, cheeping agrievedly, and are drinking and pecking at the fermented food. Hoping we don't lose any from the shipping stress or user error
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they are VERY noisy. Which kind of worries me. I'm hoping that that doesn't mean that they don't have something they need. I think I've got the temp ok, they're not huddled under the lamp in a huge dog pile, and they're not spread out around the edges of it either, they're kind of spread out in a single layer under the warmth. Some of them seem to be panting a lot though, does anyone know if this is normal? I'm as nervous as a first time mama with a newborn. Actually, that was easier I think!

also, the only feed I have is about 16% protien. I was planning on just giving these guys raw meat every day to supplement to the levels they need. Anyone have any opionions about that? I know some of you do raw meat for chicks, about how much per chick should I give? I was thinking about 1/2 tsp per chick to start. cause they're so tiny.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
What is the best way to dispose of the eggs that don't hatch. we buried ours this time. I was just wondering if that was the best thing to do.

 

[stonykill]

to brandislee: there is an old fashioned method to kill poultry that is supposed to be painless...hang the bird up by the feet or in a cone or other restrainer and INSERT A VERY SHARP KNIFE POINT THROUGH THE MOUTH DIRECTLY INTO THE BRAIN...this is the method illustrated in old poultry books on processing...the bird is killed instantly and without undue trauma...

not knocking this wayat all. However I don't beleive anything involving stabbing anything with a sharp object is painless. I know it hurts when I poke myself with something sharp.


People just need to do whatever way they are comfortable with. There are many good ways stated on this thread

 

[jeepgirl13]

First, I don't want to start an argument, o just want to share a little info relating to this. Many people have injured themselves without knowing they did so. There are medical stories about individuals that have bashed the back of their head open, not know the extent of the damage until they felt the back of their head with their hand. I myself have sliced myself up pretty good without knowing it. The brain registers pain and pleasure through electrical impulses sent via the nerves. It has an amazing self-preservation ability to block these messages. I can completely understand how a very sharp knife plunged through the base of the skull would be quick and painless. If done right, the brain shouldnt register the pain. Just my. 02. I've always thought it interesting the way the brain works. Just thought id share invade someone didn't know.

  not knocking this wayat all. However I don't beleive anything involving stabbing anything with a sharp object is painless. I know it hurts when I poke myself with something sharp. 


   People just need to do whatever way they are comfortable with. There are many good ways stated on this thread

 

[nova022]

What is the best way to dispose of the eggs that don't hatch. we buried ours this time. I was just wondering if that was the best thing to do.

That is a good question and something I had not considered.

 

[Bulldogma]

Guess what came in the mail today??? My sixteen guinea keets! They were all alive and well, cheeping agrievedly, and are drinking and pecking at the fermented food. Hoping we don't lose any from the shipping stress or user error

they are VERY noisy. Which kind of worries me. I'm hoping that that doesn't mean that they don't have something they need. I think I've got the temp ok, they're not huddled under the lamp in a huge dog pile, and they're not spread out around the edges of it either, they're kind of spread out in a single layer under the warmth. Some of them seem to be panting a lot though, does anyone know if this is normal? I'm as nervous as a first time mama with a newborn. Actually, that was easier I think!

Guineas are loud from day one and they only get louder - LOL. Luckily, they are also quite tasty! As long as you know all their basic needs are met, don't worry about the noise. They're quieter when they're asleep...

What is the best way to dispose of the eggs that don't hatch. we buried ours this time. I was just wondering if that was the best thing to do.

I just put mine in the garbage.