[mistryer]

what is the most efficient way of dispatching a good size eating chicken? Just looking ahead to when we have some ready. Used to plucking and dressing, but never actually dispatched one before 

[MAK]

I catch mine with an old curtain and keep them in the dark - calm. A slip not around the feet then hang it up ( 2 man job) as I keep a firm hold. Then at the last minute I remove the cover and blow it's head off with a magnum 45 !!    No just teasing. One swift cut to the neck and extend the head to allow a free flow of blood. walk away and return to pluck.

[hughesy]

I usually take them out of their shed as it's getting dark so they're calm and don't cause a fuss. Take them a good distance away from the other birds then dislocate the neck using the "broomstick" method. I actually use a baseball bat as the broomstick as the bird's neck fits nicely under the slimmer handle part. Didn't buy it specially just happened to have it. Then pluck and hang for a few days before drawing and preparing for cooking.

[Big Light]

Broomstick method after taking them quietly off the perch at night then take a little distance they will flap after but cleanest and less stressfull way

[Sylvia]

DEFRA will supply you with a booklet, free of charge, explaining the most humane way to kill poultry.

[YorkshireLass]

Same as Biglight (I'm only little and paranoid my hands/wrists aren't up to the job).
If you can't cover the head/they begin to wake up, you can carry by the ankles and they get a little dizzy and stop struggling.
Yes they flap like crazy I presume when the spinal cord is severed.
I was advised to leave for an hour or so with dead bird strung up, the blood collects in the head, so it's a bit less messy when you then take the head off - seemed to work. Yes, I made sure bird was dead!

[suziequeue]

It makes alot of sense to wait until they are dozey before despatching them.

The thing is..... after taking them off the etch in the dark (which could be anything between 4 and 11pm depending on the time of year)...... then - can you leave them to hang overnight before scalding, plucking and dressing them?

I'm just worried that in the summer it's going to be a late finish if I wait until after dark to take my chicken off the perch, kill it, scald it, pluck it and dress it all in a oner.

When would be a suitable time to let it hang?

[jaykay]

I use the broomstick method. I catch them at a time that suits me.
I hang them for a day anyway before I pluck and clean them.

[Rosemary]

We do them first thing when the crop and gut is pretty empty. Quietly to the barn where we have a modified road cone screwed to a pole; slip the bird into the cone head first, so the head is out the bottom and the body is supported in the cone. Dan then shoots the bird once in the head at point blank range with a .22 air rifle to stun / kill, then he uses a very sharp knife to open the two blood vessels in the neck. We slip a freezer bag over the head and neck to contain the blood.

The cone stops the bird flapping.

We pluck right away but hang for 24 hours before cleaning.

[ZacB]

We pluck right away but hang for 24 hours before cleaning.

2nd the plucking immediately, and starting with the wings.

Re-dispatch, calmly but firmly hold chicken under left arm (I'm right handed), then head between thumb & fingers, difficult to describe, twist, pull & sort of fold onto itself. Without wishing to offend or upset, you can feel when the neck breaks. Very quick & easy, bird will flap if allowed to so usually hold for 60 seconds & then another 60 just to be sure.

[Rhodie]

We have just cleared the surplus roosters from our lastWelsummer hatchings, the pullets are close to laying, I take them out early AM before they have eaten, and while still perching. As I remove them from the coop, I break the neck using the "strech and twist" method-hold the legs firmly in right hand, hold head as described by ZacB, then in a single motion, I pull and twist the neck, all over in seconds, then bleed usually in a cone but don't have one at present so dropped them into a plastic drum to contain the flapping. The neck breaking needs to be demonstrated and learned under supervision, I learned from my granparents while at school, but have taught several smallholders the technique over the years.

[mistryer]

Thank you all very much - very good information. I like the cone idea, as no worries with the restraining and flapping. Really looking forward to eating our own chicken too.

[colliewoman]

I  have perfected the stress free method!
Calmly pick up selected chook, then in your very best winey voice go ''Bill, pleeeeese would you do the deed for meeeeee?"
 
My mate is fab, I however am a wuss!

[bloomer]

I  have perfected the stress free method!
Calmly pick up selected chook, then in your very best winey voice go ''Bill, pleeeeese would you do the deed for meeeeee?"
 
My mate is fab, I however am a wuss!

This option needs a like button 

[in the hills]

  .   

Yep ..... your method gets my vote Colliewoman