Tree pruners

[MuranoFarms]

The last time I processed we used a knife to cut the jugular. That didn't go so well on the first one, we ended up just cutting the head off. The next we just went straight for cutting the head off because we didn't want to have problems again. My aunt told me she just uses tree pruners to cut the head off. Anybody ever do this?

Thanks.

 

[booker81]

Hehe, not helpful in the least, but I opened this because DH is a tree trimmer.

His "pruners" are what he calls a "pogo stick" - they telescope to something like 30 feet long pole. I just imagined standing across the yard clipping the chicken's head with those....weird mental image!

Carry on!

Sorry for the hijack

 

[scubaforlife]

The hand held ones are what my processor uses to remove the head and feet.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Quote:

No! The kind that are only like, 2 feet long. I have cut good sized branches with them and can apply more force then with a knife...so I thought I would use them this time. That was the problem with the knife, I couldn't seem to get all the way into to jugular. Then hubby tried and still didn't get through. Finally he just cut the head off. I have a heavier knife now, but I still think the pruners will be more humane in my instance.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

I use a set of small hand held Fiscars Pruners and keep them real sharp to cut head to kill and later the feet. I sometimes end up using Poultry shears to finish cutting off. But the Pruners do a quick kill and I come from the back so they don't see it coming.

I normally tip them upside down in a cone for about 5 minutes with legs tied before doing the job. Makes them light headed and basically pass out first. I tie their legs to keep them hobbled in case they get out of the cone. I have had that happen a time or two with young Cockerals. Actually one got away twice and I decided it must not be his time yet. Turned out to be a nice Roo. Go Figure.

The longer handled pruners are to cumbersome for me, though my DH and DS prefer them when they are around to help. But then I am holding the chicken cause they are using both hands to use the long handled pruners.

I like the hand held cause I can use one hand with it then the other hand is free for the chicken. This way I can process myself. I have to do that when there is a chicken episode and one needs to be culled fast to end its suffering at any stage of their life. I just prefer to be able to do it by myself when needed or when home alone. Hand held Pruners make it easier.

I've never tried to bleed them out first. I just can't get past the fact that they are still alive while bleeding out. Personal thing I quess.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Thanks buttercup chillin. I might get a set of those for next time. The ones I had worked well this time, but I think a shorter handle would be better.

 

[dancingbear]

If you couldn't get to the jugulars, maybe you were trying to cut in the wrong place. The spots you want are just under the jaw, cut from the earlobe toward the center of the throat. The cuts should be on the sides, so you don't cut the windpipe. Once you've made these cuts, and the bird has bled out, all you need to do to get the head off is cut through the soft tissue the rest of the way around, and twist the head, it'll come off pretty easily. There's a natural weak spot where the neck joins the skull, it pops loose easily when you twist. You shouldn't need anything as strong or heavy as tree pruners. This method also prevents any sharp bone fragments, because you aren't cutting or breaking bone at all. the neck separates at a joint, just the cartilage separates.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I use cable cutters, never had to sharpen them and work great every time

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4A860?Pid=search

Steve