The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: fifixx on November 20, 2011, 04:05:30 pm

Title: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: fifixx on November 20, 2011, 04:05:30 pm
Is there anyone near me (North Dorset) who would like to come and show me how to kill my cockerles usiing the broomstick method?  We always just pull and dislocate the neck, but I would like to try this method - however, need a bit of guidance for the first time and You Tube just doesn't work here!
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: Womble on November 20, 2011, 09:57:30 pm

The broomstick method I know is pretty straightforward. You just hold onto the birds feet, place its neck on the ground in front of you, place said broomstick over the neck, just at the base of the head, then stand on the broomstick (one foot either side of the chicken's neck), and give a steady pull until you feel the neck give, and the bird starts flapping. 

It's a shame you're so far away - I could do with some instruction on dislocating the neck by hand, as I'm still not really confident doing it that way.
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: Plantoid on November 21, 2011, 01:34:34 am
Don't pull too hard on the feet when you use the bar /broomstick method , else the head will come off . :D
 I've been there got the messy jeans. If the bar is fully stood on and it's on a flat a hard surface it often separates the neck without any pulling so watch what is happening at your feet .

 Doing the neck method remove any rings you might have on your hands .
Eeven though I used to be nearly six foot tall with an arm set to suit and shoild have been able to do a simple spinal /neck cord severance  I always found that holding feet in left hand between the ring and middle finger with the hand facing backwards and the neck from just behind the ears between the index and middle fingers of the right hand , with the hand pointing again behing you , place the remaing part of the neck across the knee of your straight right leg then pull the legs of the bird  with the left hand and push the right hand down to the right rear . Only occasionally did I pull the head off . Keeping the bird close to the body helps to stop you getting battered by flapping wings as you invert the bird.

 In all cases the nerves of the bird will frequently continue to operate for a few seconds even though it is completely dead so watch out  for legs kicking and scratching you or wings flapping like it is alive and demented for six seconds or so.
 I think there is a set of youtube clips of it
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: JEP on November 21, 2011, 08:32:54 pm
are birds are large and are strong pulling neck doesn't work for us
broom stick is the way not pulled any heads of yet
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: manian on November 22, 2011, 06:36:11 am
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-tripod-poultry-dispatcher-Chicken-Geese-Turkey-/170721288929?pt=UK_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item27bfc822e1 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-tripod-poultry-dispatcher-Chicken-Geese-Turkey-/170721288929?pt=UK_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item27bfc822e1)

hi
we use one like this
its a bit sturdier though
but very good and adjustable for different size birds and turkeys

Mx
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: Bionic on November 22, 2011, 08:39:17 am
This one is expensive but haven't I seen on here before something similar using a traffic cone?

Someone else may know which post its in.

Sally
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: ellisr on November 22, 2011, 09:25:45 am
I have a one that is attached to the outside of my stable, place the neck in and pull the handle down, all done.
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: manian on November 23, 2011, 07:31:30 am
This one is expensive but haven't I seen on here before something similar using a traffic cone?

Someone else may know which post its in.

Sally

luckily we were given this by a friendly farmer friend... we use a traffic cone for turkeys

Mx
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: Barrett on November 24, 2011, 12:30:23 pm
I use the old fashioned ring the neck method however, I was never told about the other end of the bird that lets go once you have rung the neck so make sure the backside is away from you :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: StephB on November 24, 2011, 05:23:46 pm
Hi

We live in North Dorset.  Hubby will be dispatching some of our Ross Cobb birds in the next week or so.  You are welcome to come round and watch if you wanted.  Must admit though, we do not use the broomstick method.  Hubby just pulls their neck, its alot quicker and before they know whats happenning its all over.

Think we are going to have to use the broomstick method with the Geese as they are alot stronger.

Steph x
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: fifixx on November 27, 2011, 09:36:24 am
That would be great - have geese too!  Where are you?
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: StephB on November 27, 2011, 10:18:58 am
Sorry slow reply, we are in Stourton Caundle.

We are planning on doing the majority of birds on the weekend of the 10/11th December, but we might need a turkey early for a friends Christmas meal and alot of the chickens are up to size so could be done early too.

Do you have chickens that you need to dispatch?  If you do you are welcome to bring them with you and we do them all together or you are welcome to just come and watch us do ours.

The invitation is there if you want it.

Take care
Steph
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: StephB on November 27, 2011, 10:20:54 am
Just re-read your post, and seen that you are already pulling necks  :chook:.

We will only be using the broomstick method on the geese on the 10/11 December, its abit of a new method to us but father-in-law is apparently an old hand at it and will be here giving us a hand. 

xx
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: fifixx on November 27, 2011, 03:01:35 pm
Have DM'ed you...
Title: Re: Dorset Chicken killing
Post by: demonfarmer2630 on November 29, 2011, 08:31:38 pm
i find it easer to use hypnotism and an axe works well some do tend to run though