Dispatching small birds

[jessmorris]

Hello,
I've been looking for 'dispatching' threads and posts. I usually dispatch using the broomstick method but I find it quite difficult to co-ordinate everything, and not sure its the way to go for smaller poultry. How do folk find dispatching pliers? I know we've discussed this before but I can't find the posts. I need something quick and easy for bantams before I lose my nerve completely. Its the growers I find the hardest...I'd use an axe but am quite nervous of cutting my fingers/hand off. I'm quite strong but haven't got huge hands.
bye for now,
JM

[squibbs]

I think the best thing would be to learn how to use the neck dislocation technique. Its quick - and probably realistically the only one the Humane Slaughter Association recommend that can be carried out at home reliably.

Have a look at...

Slaughter Poultry

The despatching pliers/neck crushers aren't recommended as they don't guarantee a swift death.

Its best to get someone proficient in it already to show you how and there are courses you can go on which allow you to practice on already dead chickens. Once you have the confidence to do it swiftly and with determination you'll be happier doing the deed knowing that your chickens will have a swift and as painless as possible death.

[petal]

Agree with Squibbs, neck dislocation is best - I do this by hand for small birds. Speed and determination are everything. Look out for courses locally to you- where we are the barns poultry centre has a man called Frank who runs such courses.

[jessmorris]

Thanks both. I do neck dislocation, but its a method for large birds really, and is fiddly. I'll try places near me for courses.
cheers,
C

[Snadger]

You mention an axe? At least by chopping the birds head off it is swift and there are no worries as to whether they are dead or not.

I have used the broomstick method and hand dislocation to good effect in the past.

I have three large cockerels to cull which are five year old and are pets (eat out of my hand and suchlike)
Because I'm emotionally attached to these birds I've decided to use an axe as I know their will be no suffering and if they do twitch afterwards I know 100% they are dead.

Not looking forward to it I may add. If I was a drinking man I think I would have a couple of shots before hand for dutch courage.

[petal]

Is there anyone else can do it Snadger? Its not nice when you are fond of them.

[RichmondHens]

We used an air pistol to shoot (at close range) a very favourite cockerel of my husbands. Hubby didn't want to use neck dislocation for this beloved bird so I held it and he pointed the gun. All very quick and hardly any blood - I should imagine decapitation would be rather messy.

JM - what age birds are you considering doing? Chicks and v small growers can be euthanased by a sharp pinch of the neck against a table edge or similar.

[jessmorris]

Hi there RH,
the first to go will be the twisted beak grower - he's 15 weeks, but quite small (bantam). The next will be the pekin if he can't be rehomed, around the same age but much smaller. The other Orloff boys I'll grow on so they can be eaten - they are bantams but they are muscular and strong for their size. Its the twisted beak boy who will be the hardest - he's quite a character. I thought culling might get easier, but it hasn't (yet!).

[jessmorris]

..I find a nip of brandy afterwards helps!

[BigJim]

I've not considered an axe in the past, because I'd been told that the bird can be conscious for 30 seconds or so afterwards. However when checking this to reply to this thread - it turns out that although the average is 32 seconds for decapitation, it can be 4 minutes for dislocation (longer for pliers), as all the required blood vessels are not always severed. It's a pity there isn't a cost effective stunning method available to keepers of small flocks.

[jessmorris]

I googled it and came up with a pic of a wall mounted gadget with a handle that you pulled down that breaks the neck. It looked pretty effective (you adjusted it for the sie of the bird), but was nearly £40!!