Dispatching query

[Stablecoop]

Hi all! Looking for feedback and recommendations on preferred dispatch methods. We've got 50 Freedom Rangers to process in about a month and our goal of course is to humanely dispatch our birds as quickly as possible. We have helped friends dispatch birds by cutting jugular and bleeding out, and have dispatched by removing the head with a sharp knife. I'd like the process to be swifter than the aforementioned methods, and have been trying to evaluate the efficacy of using loppers or another like tool. An ax for dispatching isn't a reasonable expectation for us at this point. Does anyone have feedback, positive or negative experience with using loppers or cable cutters to do the deed? If you've been successful with these tools, could you recommend a specific brand/size/type (ie Stihl 3" bypass loppers)? Thank you all in

 

[iwltfum]

I've had terrible luck with loppers for both turkeys and chickens. And it's pretty gruesome, just like the axe method. I've used every method that I've ever heard of, but these days I just use a very sharp knife (like stropped on leather sharp or a scalpel) to cut the jugular and let them bleed out in a cone. It takes a bit of experience to get the cut right. I think that's why so many people opt to do it in other ways, but I believe it's the best method for a calm, quick dispatch. I know that's not the info you were looking for, but that's my experience with loppers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Stablecoop]

I've had terrible luck with loppers for both turkeys and chickens. And it's pretty gruesome, just like the axe method. I've used every method that I've ever heard of, but these days I just use a very sharp knife (like stropped on leather sharp or a scalpel) to cut the jugular and let them bleed out in a cone. It takes a bit of experience to get the cut right. I think that's why so many people opt to do it in other ways, but I believe it's the best method for a calm, quick dispatch. I know that's not the info you were looking for, but that's my experience with loppers. Just my 2 cents.

No this is exactly what I am looking for!! I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with me. Your experience is very valuable to me and will help us decide what to do. Much appreciated!!!

 

[Torinik]

I think I tried most methods, cutting the jugular seems the most humane to me.
This is how I do it, maybe it helps:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/butchering-help.1350622/page-2#post-22275571

 

[MountainWoman73]

I prefer beheading with a sharp meat cleaver. I turn the bird upside down for a few seconds first, then use two nails in a chopping block to hold the head. I've only done one at a time, never processed 50 birds, so I don't know if this is efficient compared to other methods. It is quick and humane, though.

 

[Ratchnick]

Loppers was terrible for me. You might look into pithing your birds. You can use a bolt gun or a paring knife through the roof of the mouth.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have not tried the cone and knife method.

I found the broomstick method quick and tidy -- a concern when I did it because I was in a suburban backyard on a corner lot so visible from the road if someone had stopped to look. The bleeding out is done into the skin of the neck (assuming you didn't accidentally pull the head off). After that I laid the bird on a table with the neck over a trash can and cut the head off -- neatly controlling the bleeding.

The thing that could make this unpleasant for some people is the flapping (the better the severing of the spinal cord the more intense the flapping). Holding a bird by it's ankles while the muscles spasm comes as a shock the first few times. I had to remind myself that the vigor of the action was the proof that I'd make a clean, quick break.

I petted, rocked, and calmed them before putting them on the ground then accomplished the kill as quickly as possible. Some people stun them first. The man who taught me did, but I found that, being rather small and having small hands, I didn't have sufficient control of the bird to do it the way he did.

 

[Stablecoop]

I think I tried most methods, cutting the jugular seems the most humane to me.
This is how I do it, maybe it helps:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/butchering-help.1350622/page-2#post-22275571

Thank you very much, this is extremely helpful!!

 

[neo71665]

I use a sharp estwing hatchet. By sharp I mean shaving sharp. It's only used for butchering purposes be chickens to cattle and everything in between.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I hang mine upside down by their feet on a post or from a rope line and cut the neck.
They become calm being hung this way. Seems most peaceful way that i have found for myself to do.

Killing cone would be good. Never used one but i would like to try.