[Bumblebear]

Hi everyone, we have some boys we need dispatching.  We had an arrangement with a friend who used to dispatch for a cake or a bird (if we had a few) but he has moved on.  Hubby said if he was shown how to do it properly he might do it in the future but until then is there anyone who could dispatch our boys and maybe show hubby how to do it in the future.  We have 4 x buff Orpingtons to go. 

[Mammyshaz]

If you don't have success for help there are courses on the Devon smallholders website for dispatch and dressing. Don't know how close this is for you but not as far away as I am   

I only know because I've been googling such courses to learn this myself, unfortunately have found nothing around the northeast 

[Bumblebear]

It's miles away - 6 hours plus drive  - the dressing is no probs, neither is the plucking, it's just THE DEED that we have to get our heads round.

[Mammyshaz]

   never been too good at geography but didn't expect anything near that. Try googling. There were a few down south may be one near you somewhere  wish I could find one. I know it in principle as read the procedures but just not confident doing it first time in case I bodge it  I really will feel happier being shown by an experienced person first 

Considering the amount of new smallholders and backyard poultry keepers I really thought there would be more courses for this important aspect of poultry keeping.

[hughesy]

Loads of instructional vids on the net.

[deepinthewoods]

its not complicated, you pull its head of its neck. till its dead. use the youtube vids to inspire you! by the 4th one youll be doing it properly. pull hard and twist. youll feel it go. then wait while it flaps around due to the nerves.

[plumseverywhere]

by the 4th one youll be doing it properly.

The first 3 are currently trying to get to the back of the queue!!      I admire you for doing it DITW, I'm still too much of a wuss, luckily have a Dad whose dispatched more chickens than KFC, during the war years (apparently....)
Its a shame (and I am being serious here...) that they don't have a dummy bird that we can practise on first to get a feel for it? Bit like the old resus Annie doll I learnt to do CPR on or the pelvis we delivered 'babies' through in midwifery. It would be a good way to learn before practising on the real thing 

[Mammyshaz]

That's exactly what I need plums  it's not the thought of doing the deed and I've watched the videos and read the books. I've a very good book with dispatch and dressing chapter.
It's the thought of trying to do it and not quite managing it correctly causing distress to the chook 
Ill just wait until ther is somebody experienced with me before my first attempt. 

[Bumblebear]

by the 4th one youll be doing it properly.

The first 3 are currently trying to get to the back of the queue!!      I

My sentiments exactly!  I want to get it right first time and a dummy chicken sounds perfect...now where have the dogs hidden the rubber one......