[Yeoman]

Here's what the Human Slaughter Association has to say: http://www.hsa.org.uk/Publications/General%20Publications.html

[hughesy]

The only acceptable way on farm without resort to expensive abatoir type equipment is by neck dislocation. This is best achieved by the broomstick method or similar, which is quick, easy to do and causes the least suffering. Also if you're holding the bird while it's killed you know that the neck has been dislocated properly and death has occured.

[SallyintNorth]

The Humane Slaughter Association do NOT recommend anything that crushes the spine, which is what the hand held + wall mounted do.

The Ascott wall-mounted Humane Dispatcher does not crush the spine, it dislocates it, exactly as you would if you dislocated the neck by hand.  The inner nubbit pushes in between two vertebrae and pushes them apart = dislocation.

Provided it is used correctly, therefore, it is consistent with the guidance given.

[Sylvia]

But only if you get it in the right place, Sal, I've tried one! I use a stunner, best investement I've made

[SallyintNorth]

But only if you get it in the right place, Sal, I've tried one! I use a stunner, best investement I've made

Oh!  Did you already post a link for your stunner? 

And have you had a look at my link to the Ascott one - that is the right type, isn't it?  The documentation that came with mine (bought about 10 years ago) did explain all about how it works by dislocation, and I've not had any reason to think otherwise - no neck bones have ever been crushed in the choox I've dispatched with it.

[Mrs Snoodles]

We use a game dispatcher for smaller chickens.  It works well but no good for big cockerels or decent sized meat birds.  We pop the birds on the ground between our legs and squat over, stroke them and soothe them etc then use the dispatcher. Never an easy job to do but we find this process just calmer.

[Castle Farm]

Humane my ar**  you have to be kidding. Illegal in Wales.

[Mrs Snoodles]

The cheapest way is to use a cone. You can do your part to decrease the size of the European 'cone mountain' by liberating one for the side of the road or buy one from Jewson (I did actually buy mine for schooling horses ). Cut the foot off the cone and fix it to the wall, cut the head hole the right size and off you go. I take the birds out of the shed one at a time then take them to a darkened out building drop them in the cone and cut the neck. The brain is immediately starved of blood and the bird is dead, no flapping, job done. I used to use the broom handle or in my case a cart wheel spoke but found it difficult doing ducks and generally a nasty experience. I have a need to get it right first time and don't want to experiment with various neck wringing techniques. I can't bare to think of the failed attempts until the method is perfected.

I've often wondered how to kill duck. This sounds good. I work on a shoot and absolutely dread the dogs coming back with a duck that is a runner (ie not completely dead). I find it so difficult to break the necks well.

[omnipeasant]

Ha ha

I read human dispatcher. There are a few I would like to dispatch, but I think it's illegal.

[Moleskins]

Would an air pistol to the head be suitable for an instant kill?

[Sylvia]

If you get in touch with DEFRA they will send you a free booklet on the humane slaughter of poultry.

[Hevxxx99]

I find shooting them in the back of the head with an air pistol, just about between the eyes and the ears works as a stunner if not outright kill. First one I did, I dissected the head to check I'd got the right spot and found the pellet had gone right through the brain. I follow this by cutting the throat and allowing them to bleed out, but I imagine breaking the neck and bleeding into the gap would be equally as effective and a lot less messy!

Stunning, even if only with a short plank or hammer, is essential before slitting their throats: the brain stays active for a significant time after.  I used to decapitate birds, which is ultimately the same thing, but it is VERY unpleasant holding a bodiless head and feeling it moving eyes and beak in your hand!!

[suziequeue]

"Humane my ar**  you have to be kidding. Illegal in Wales".
[/size]
[/size]Sorry - getting confused..... what's illegal in Wales???