What is the best way to dispatch/slaughter chickens?

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
X2

Slicing in a cone rather than decapitating (which is how my father taught me) apparently has better bleed out progress because the heart is still beating even though they're unconscious.

 

[crenees]

Quote:
X2

Slicing in a cone rather than decapitating (which is how my father taught me) apparently has better bleed out progress because the heart is still beating even though they're unconscious.

That makes sense and since posting my initial question I've been reading some of the other threads that say the same thing...I think I will definitely go with the cone method for my first time and see how it goes. Thanks so much for the responses/advice!

 

[galanie]

Just don't worry if you 'mess up' a little the first time.

 

[ScottyHOMEy]

As far as the resting, I don't have refrigerator space to rest a large batch of birds. I keep mine layered on ice in coolers, which usually involves dumping out the thawed water and replacing with fresh ice on a daily basis for a couple or three days, whatever it takes for them to become pliable.

However you keep them cool during that period, your clue that the meat is rested will be that they may look a little deformed from the ones in the market if you layer them or lay them on anything but their backs. Not to worry. If rested, they'll massage right back into the shape you're accustomed to for cooking or freezing.

 

[crenees]

Thanks for all the responses! Really helped eased my worries about slaughter time...just rec'd my chickies this morning from ideal, was surprised to find 25 chicks instead of the 15 I ordered (forgot to read the fine print about extra male chicks added for warmth lol) but all are healthy and active so I dont mind the extras at all.

Thanks again!

 

[yinepu]

The BEST means is the one you are most comfortable doing

My husband prefers to shoot the birds in the head

If I am the one doing the killing I prefer to use tree loppers/pruners (I know I would botch the job if I had to shoot them.. he's a better shot than i am even though I am pretty good with a handgun)

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:

I agree, and it may take you several sessions trying different methods to find what works best for you. Especially at the beginning, but still even today, I learn something with each session that will make the next time go even easier & faster.

I started with a hatchet or machete to chop heads off on a stump, but found that I lacked the upper arm strength to do the job neatly with one blow. The broomstick method was too unnerving, not knowing if you really yanked them hard enough and sometimes pulling heads off completely. Pithing was too creepy. But the neck slice works the best for me and I can get my birds to Cross the Road right away.

As Galanie says, there is a learning curve...

 

[BigSkyChickens]

Oh man, I thought about this waaaay to much before I got my first meat birds. As beginners, we had planned to try the ax method, but then we got an urban farming couple to come show us how to do the cone/neck slice.

Lurking on this section of the forum helped me get up the nerve to do it (thanks everyone!)

Folks warn against naming them or petting them, but I found petting them each day made catching them and carrying them to the cone more mellow.

BTY, the first batch were named "Delicious # 1-7" and the second batch were named "Tasty # 1-9".

Good luck!

 

[jaredkopy]

I just 'graduated' my first roosters two weeks ago. I was very nervous but I felt like I should be the one doing the graduating instead of taking them to a processor where I didn't know how well they would have been handled and I wanted to make sure I got MY birds back since I've taken the extra time and expense to raise them organically. I used the hatchet and tree stump method. I zip tied their legs together before I put them on the log. I read somewhere to put 2 nails in the stump just far apart enough for their neck to fit in the gap. Apparently it is supposed to keep them from pulling their head back into their bodies? That part didn't work all that well. My plan is to tie a little rope loop I can put over their head next time. Then I can stretch their heads out by putting my foot on the end of the rope on the ground and pulling on their bound legs with my left hand because they did 'turtle up' on me and scrunched their necks up. Good luck! It'll go fine!