The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Skirza on November 25, 2011, 12:10:22 pm
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The time is nearly upon us and I need some advice...We have 6 nice looking turkeys ready for dispatching in about a fortnight. My question is - do the wall mounted poultry dispatchers work? My OH is fairly nifty in the broom handle method, but we've not done turkeys before and really don't know if that will be successful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated ;)
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Its got to be quick and humane so hand dislocation is best, broomstick method is the same if you dont have a strong hand. If your OH is practised at this then let it be so.
Wall mounted kit is OK but can be stressfull and messy if you are not experienced.
Also traffic cone with the top cut off is good if you want to bleed the bird.
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The wall mounted dispatchers are not 100% successful, especially with big birds. If your usual method is quick and humane best stick to it.
Anyone in South Devon needing birds done, I have a stunner. Small charge per bird plus diesel to get to you. Quick and humane.
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i would use the broomstick Ive had no problems except one big
30lb stag if up to 20lb should be OK
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Thanks everyone..here goes
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i do my xmas turkeys by hand at 6mths and they are not too difficult. by 8 mths they are getting a bit harder for me.
i bought a humane dispatcher which i bought with rabbits in mind, as i hate dispatching them by hand.
however iv only used the humane dispatcher once - on a cockeral, and it didnt kill the bird but cut his neck enough to get blood everywhere! he had to be done quickly by hand and he wasnt a strong bird either.
my humane dispatcher didnt come with instructions but i know its adjustable. can someone advise me on technique please? i want to use it on rabbits but have plenty of cockerals and turkeys to dispatch aswell.
thanx
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can't beat quickly hanging them up by their feet, one holds the wings to stop them breaking with all the flapping, and the other can use two hands to pull the neck. fail safe, quick method, its all over before they have a clue whats happenning.
We are going to have to use the broomstick method with the geese this year as think they are far too strong to pull their necks, so hoping this will be as quick as our usual method.
If you are good with the broomstick I would stick with it and maybe with any heavy birds, figure out a way that two of you can do it to help take the weight.
Best of luck, not long now, think we will be doing our on the weekend of the 10/11 December.
xx
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We have used a wall mounted for years , we stun them first and then kill. No problems but then my OH has been killing poultry for many many years and is very quick and does it very calmly.
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broomstick works very well for the larger birds if u have a helper to position the stick in the dip just behind the head, gets more difficult doing it yourself with big heavy birds, making sure u are using a stick thats not too thick helps too.
Mandy
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Hi,
My husband and I have 8 Turkeys that are ready to be dispatched for xmas.
Can I have some (fairly detailed) suggestions on the best and easiest way to do it? We're new to Turkeys and need some advice!
Also how long do you recommend hanging them for before 'dressing'?
Any advice would be very welcome!
Thanks, Sammy
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Whatever method you use you will really need to be non-hesitant (can't think of a better word) ::) You may need a double brandy! I do after years of practise ;)
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Hi,
My husband and I have 8 Turkeys that are ready to be dispatched for xmas.
Can I have some (fairly detailed) suggestions on the best and easiest way to do it? We're new to Turkeys and need some advice!
Also how long do you recommend hanging them for before 'dressing'?
Any advice would be very welcome!
Thanks, Sammy
The humane slaughter association publish a booklet so contact them - if you have never disatched a bird yourself then I would recommend getting a competent person to demonstrate to you first. We have dispatched chickens and ducks by hand but far prefer the "broomstick" method. The HSA booklet details this and it is I believe recommended method for larger birds.
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Ah brilliant thanks guys!
Will definitely be a large brandy involved but will probably save that for after the deed is done!
Will post about our first 'Turkey' experience after!
Wish us luck!
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Cuckoo - thanks for the info on the HSA. Really helpful.
Smithshillfarm - good luck! I'm a wimp and take ours down the road to slaughter and dispatch for 5 quid a bird.
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5 quid??!!!! Do they pluck and dress for that price? The most I charge is £1-50 per bird.
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we're umming and arrring whether to have our done by someoone elos or do them ourselves.
£5 is the general price for kill pluck and dress
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http://www.hsa.org.uk/Publications.htm (http://www.hsa.org.uk/Publications.htm)
Link to the "practical slaughter of poultry - guidance for small producers" published by Human e Slaughter Association available for only £2!
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did my first one this morning, last years were all done at the place we got them from but sheer logistics has got in the way this year.
You don't need much more force than used on a cockeral as I found this morning when I used a little bit too much...
:-\
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When I have done em, they have been hung up by the feet using a lop of twine (its easy to hold it in one hand whilst you catch the bird when you get the knack) and then as soon as you hang em, they lift their head, which you hit with a small axehandle or similar, cut em to bleed and rip into those primaries whilst it is still warm (you may need pliers).
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Anyone in the Oxfordshire area want to lend a hand?! Seen a few awful videos on you tube and i'm now nervous! Glad its not me thats doing the deed - I'll just stick to plucking!!!
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whats the best length of time to hang?
and what exactly do u keep back for giblets. usually our dogs eat them but a friend had requested them this year so want to get it right.
are heart and liver kept separate from giblets?
thankyou, we are starting saturday i think !