Why do chickens flap around after they die?

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I agree and had pre-vet classes at BHE and the pony we had for the class was not dispatched the way you had. It was put to sleep and we had a hey day cutting out organs, weighing, seeing any abnormalities, studying how the eye fuctions, practicing our sewing skills.

Yes, it is the nerves. I dont worry about it too much and once they bleed out well, it would stop.

 

[pats4lsu]

No different than when shooting a deer. I find it amazing you can shoot a deer through the heart and it can run up to 200 yds. before falling over. Nerves and adrenaline.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
Okay, I had just read DanielBrown's comment about a duck's head, then I read this & first thought you were talking about an actual head. I think I need a nap.

What's really weird when processing is sometimes when you push on the chest and hear the headless carcass make a sound like a moan...

 

[jaku]

Quote:
My police academy firearms/tactics instructor said that this is because a deer has never seen a movie where if you shot, you're supposed to die- seriously. You can shoot a person in the arm, and they'll often lay down and either wait for help or wait to die, but animals have a survival instinct until the last breath.

Now, at least with mammals, the twitching depends on where the trauma occurs- even severe damage to most of the brain, and you'll get the shaking/twitching, but take out the medula oblongata (base of the brain, in case I spelled it wrong,) and it's lights out instantly- no movement, spasms or twitching.

 

[ninny]

Quote:
They What!!!! I think im going to be sick just reading this. I am so glad i didn't go to vet school. I would have just stood there and cried when i found out the horse had to be put down.

 

[mxpres]

If you want to see something move,try processing a snapping turtle,,nothing like a chicken,you almost have to fight them to keep them from taking the knife away from you

snapping turtles are great eating

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Maybe it's just the deer here...but have you noticed that deer don't die with their eyes closed?

Just a random tidbit there.

I agree with the bleedout method. You could also tie the wings and legs together to minimize the flapping. It's just nerves...just don't look at the head once you chop.

 

[ninny]

Umm i think i may pay someone to do it. Im a little creeped out at the thought of died flopping chickens that have a pulse.

 

[ILOVEFRIZZLES]

When I was a kid daddy cut the head off and throw it on the ground and us six kids loved a good game of catch that chicken with no head sometime there would be 5 or 6 headless chicken running around but the fun was all over ones you got your chicken time to pluck yuck I hated the smell and the hot water.

 

[Gazinga]

Quote:
Maybe it's just the deer here...but have you noticed that deer don't die with their eyes closed?

Just a random tidbit there.

I agree with the bleedout method. You could also tie the wings and legs together to minimize the flapping. It's just nerves...just don't look at the head once you chop.

i keep hearing not to look at the head after the chop.......why?