[THE HAPPY POULTRY FARMER]

THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AT THE MOMENT REGARDING THE KILLING OF POULTRY IT IS EVERYBODYS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THIS IS CARRIED OUT CORRECTLY, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS KILLED POULTRY SINCE I WAS 6 YEARS OLD IAM NOW 50+AND KILL POULTRY STILL ON A DAILY BASIS FEEL THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD READ AND FOLLOW THE VERY GOOD GUIDE  PRODUCED BY THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER ASSOCIATION I HAVE WORKED WITH THIS ORGANISTAION AND THEY ARE  FIRST CLASS, THEY ARE NOT SOME RADICAL ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP AND HAVE PRODUCED THIS GUIDE TO ASSIST SMALLHOLDERS AND GROWERS. THERE ARE SOME VERY SIMPLE RULES THAT ACCOMPANY SLAUGHTER, BE POSITIVE, BE PREPARED, ENSURE YOU HAVE PERFORMED THE TASK CORRECTLY , MOST IMPORTANTLY IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT GET SOMEBODY TO SHOW YOU.SOME OF THE METHODS BEING DESCRIBED ON THIS SITE ARE QUITE SIMPLY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN CONSIDEREABLE STRESS TO BOTH BIRDS AND PERSONS PERFORMING THE TASK , I MAKE NO EXCUSE FOR POSTING THE HSA DOCUMENT AGAIN IT IS THE MOST RELEVANT AND LEGAL AVAILABLE ,  http://www.hsa.org.uk/POULTRY%20WEBSITE/Poultry%20Slaughter%20Project/PSPSite/Introduction.html           

[harry]

i read the above doc and i respond to 2 notes.... CONCUSION stunning... in my opinion thats not going to happen for most people.... i believe that will result in more stress to bird than not stunning ie taking several hits to do the job... i have this vision of someone holding a cricket bat trying to stunn the bird.....2, shooting can be dangerous..... dam right a gun in the hands of an idiot = dangerous .... but assuming you have a gun licence i would assume you to be gun credible so a good way to dispatch a goose if you dont have the ability or strenght to do other methods one shot one millysecond =dead....doc states not recomended.... ie safety reasons but not illegal.

[Dan]

We cover both the legal and humane aspects of killing poultry on the site:

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/poultry/slaughtering-poultry/

The HSA has some great resources. 

[Bodger]

The use of capital letters means that you're shouting at us and there's no need to.

[hughesy]

That is pretty much all anyone needs to read on the subject I reckon. If we could stop encouraging people to shoot poultry with airguns that would be a step forward in my opinion.

[Steph Hen]

Agreed that using a FAC firearm would not be good, but could someone please explain why using a .22 air rifle at point blank range to the back of the head, with the bird being securely held and laid down on a log is unsafe or a bad idea? 

I've only done this with big cockerals that I've dispatched and decided that its the best way for for larger birds. Could someone please explain why this is bad to me?

[hughesy]

Just my own opinion but I think there's a chance of missing the vital spot and causing unnecessary suffering. I've read on here about people having to do it twice. Can't see for the life of me why there's debate on this subject. Neck dislocation has been accepted as a humane method of despatch for years I just can't see why we need to find a new way.

[Stereo]

I have to admit I used to use an airgun and once had to re-load. Their brains are pretty small. That was the last time and I felt dreadful afterwards. Dislocation for me now everytime.

[harry]

STEPH HEN its not bad for you to use a rifle.... some people try neck pulling and fail ie bird running around with floppy neck..... some use a meat clever some use a slit throat method....... all unpleasent in my view thats why i use a gun... no stress no problem... i do use a 410 now not my rifle ... so its always everytime BANG = DEAD in the blink of an eye. some people a good at neck pulling some are useless but ime talking about geese, turkeys big ducks. dont let anyone tell you what you are doing is wrong especally if they dont own a stunner cos not to use one is we are told is illegal.... how many truthfully use one and ime not talking about a cricket bat.

[hughesy]

Neck dislocation without stunning is not illegal. Read the HSA stuff.

[Dan]

Neck dislocation without stunning is not illegal. Read the HSA stuff.

Not illegal, but not recommended by the HSA:

Although neck dislocation without prior stunning is legal, in practice it is difficult to ensure immediate insensibility and therefore is not recommended for the routine slaughter of poultry on welfare grounds. It should only be used in an emergency.

[Steph Hen]

Thank you for clarrifying that. Its hard to see how you could miss the brain firing at the back of the head at 0 range, when I've done itm the whole head hasd been totally ruined, but I will have to believe that it can happen. I think I will continue using it for occasional larger birds only.
The rest get a heavy blow to the back head with the back of an axe, which I'm sure kills them 99% of the time and then neck dislocation or more often, head removal. I don't care about making a mess with blood splatter or bruising the neck meat, I only want a quick end for them.

[harry]

not only large birds ,i found it best for quail...... tricky to break quails neck  one air gun pellet did my quail every time,,,, am i correct in that poultry are the only things left for home slaughter....if so not for long i reckon

[Bodger]

Neck dislocation without stunning is not illegal. Read the HSA stuff.

Not illegal, but not recommended by the HSA:

Although neck dislocation without prior stunning is legal, in practice it is difficult to ensure immediate insensibility and therefore is not recommended for the routine slaughter of poultry on welfare grounds. It should only be used in an emergency.

I've got to disagree. I've always despatched my chickens by neck dislocation. The spinal cord is broken and all impulses to and from the brain cease. Its not with out reason that in countries which have the death penalty its one of the chosen methods.

[suziequeue]

Its not with out reason that in countries which have the death penalty its one of the chosen methods.

?


I thought lethal injection was preferred...... or does neck dislocation include hanging??