[Eve]

Dicky, where are you based? If you're close enough I can show you the broomstick technique - strength doesn't come into it, it's all about the right action and position.
 
Eve
 

[Penninehillbilly]

I always have a cleaver handy (or an axe would do), if I can't do the deed quickly (it's making sure you bring the head backwards into the palm of your hand as you pull that breaks the neck). with the bigger cockerels I will use the cleaver if I don't get it first time.

[the great composto]

I use the broomstick method but i cover the wings with a pillow case and while i am holding the birds legs i reach under to grab the two ends of the pillow case to stop any flapping before or after the deed.
When the head goes under the broomstick i can pull from the feet and the base of the neck where i am holding the pillow case.  As i pull firmly up  I can feel the neck break and can hold it for 30 secs until all the twitching stops.
I agreee its about technique not strength - The important thing is a controlled/timed pull only when you are firmly stood on the broomstick to make sure the head doesnt slip under.   Pulling hard is not necessary.

Oh and dont look into the eyes of the bird!

[benkt]

We use the broomstick method and have never had a problem. I've probably taught twenty or more people how to do this in the past few years so if you are near us (Cambs) I'd be happy to demonstrate!


Ben

[shetlandpaul]

we use an air rifle. you need to understand that most of a chickens head is eyes and sinus. the lump at the back of the head above the neck is the target area. 1 shot will kill. to be sure cut the neck straight away. of the three types of bird ive killed the chicken is the toughest the goose the easiest and the turkey in between. im sure this has to do with the size of brain. always have an alternative method at hand the axe is a very sure if messy method.

[hughesy]

I'm quite surprised to see that many people feel the need to have a backup method to hand just in case. Nobody should even be thinking of slaughtering animals unless they're absolutely sure they can do it properly first attempt. Get someone to show you, or at the very least google it and have a look at the dozens of instructional videos. What happens if you have an injured bird that needs to be despatched? You should be able to sort it out there and then without any further distress for the bird.

[shetlandpaul]

even the slaugherhouses have back up equipment.

[plumseverywhere]

I'm off on a poultry course in the new year with this to be covered. A few days ago our cockerel had reached the point where he needed to be PTS. He'd been hit by flystrike,.  I had to ask my dad ( a chicken keeper of some 70 years) to do the deed but the time has come where I need to do it myself. I think 'practising' on a dead one seems a good idea too, not sure what the course entails but seems a neccessity.

[hughesy]

even the slaugherhouses have back up equipment.

That is because they may have a breakdown not in case the slaughterman f**ks it up!

[Penninehillbilly]

I 'do' my own cockerels, usually without a problem, but there was once a big tough boy, I just couldn't manage it, it really upset me (as well as him) since then, I've always had something there just in case. I don't see a problem with having a back up plan.
 

[harry]

GET  a wall mounted dispatcher its like a very blunt guilateen ? breaks but never cuts the neck ebay item number 251059874550 there are used ones as well cheaper.... its takes 2 to do big birds one to hold the goose , turkey and one with 2 hands on the lever

[plumseverywhere]

are the wall mounted ones reliable, Harry? I think I could do with investing in one if so! I hate not feeling 100% confident to do it myself and I think my Dad/hubby can't always be here and on hand!

[YorkshireLass]

What about a poultry version of this? http://rabbittalk.com/topic9339.html


Thoughts?

[SallyintNorth]

That eBay one is the same as the one I linked to on the Ascott site.  I had one when I lived in Exmoor with now XH and I bought another as soon as I had chickens again.

I mount it, not on a wall, but on a long (4') pole, like a fencing stake but with square sides.  I can then take it to wherever I may need to use it, lean it up something stable - like a wall or gate - and use it there.  I also find it easier to do on my own this way, but that's maybe just me, I am not dextrous.

It does work reliably, yes, it seperates two vertebrae thereby breaking the neck (severing the spinal cord) and not crushing the spine.  Hold the bird firmly round its body to contain the flapping; when it's still, hang it up by the feet and let the blood pool into the wound in the neck.  You can pluck it while it's upside down, or I just pluck it straight away and then hang it upside down.

I have never felt the need for a backup when I use this - but I have found that I need to take a bit of care exposing the part of the neck where I am going to close the jaws when I am doing a large cockeral with plenty of neck feathers.  So if I had a very large bird, larger than I've done before, then I would have a backup handy.

I will be very interested to hear what you learn on your course, plums. 

[Dicky]

Thanks for all the suggestions with this.  I think I am going to try the air rifle to the back of the head with the next one and once it is out I will have another go with the broomstick until I get it right.