Killing Cone question

[fuelbox]

Hi all. I have a weird question about killing cones. I've seen lots of discussion about how to cut the throat (and avoiding the windpipe) while using a killing cone. But is there anything wrong with using something like sharp loppers/pruners to just completely remove the head?
Asking because.... if done swiftly, that would seem like a slightly more humane way to deal with it. Does anyone have experience with doing it this way?
Trying to learn from others before making mistakes.
Thanks.

 

[Sally PB]

I read somewhere (not on BYC) that a woman had problems with not getting the cut right, so she used loppers. I went out and bought a pair because I had to cull two cockerels. I didn't end up using them though because I didn't have a way to make a cone, and the boys had to go. But that's probably how I would have done it.

 

[Floof]

I've used loppers to cull chicks that were suffering. It worked pretty well but still understand the the head/beak will move and the wings will flap. If you're not expecting that it can be alarming haha

 

[Ridgerunner]

We all have our preferred methods and the reasons we use them. Mine is a hatchet and stump. There is a lot of discussion on this forum about which way is "best". To me the "best" and most humane way is the way you can. What I mean by that is that it needs to be sure and quick. You need to do it in a way that you don't flinch or close your eyes at the wrong time. You want to dispatch the bird not injure it. You don't want to injure yourself.

Some version of the cone is probably the most used by people on this forum. People use different tools to either make the cuts or remove the head. Sometimes there is a learning curve, the first time doesn't always go perfectly. Chickens can flap and move a lot even with the head cut off. It can be rough to watch.

I never enjoy dispatching a chicken, it's just not fun. But if I'm going to eat one I have to. You do get more efficient at it as you go.

 

[Molpet]

I used lopper on chickens the first year. Have to make sure to keep them very sharp. I now use a PVC pipe cutter. Easier to handle.
I still use lopper on turkeys.
Works great, but I have never done it any other way. Works for me so why change LOL

 

[Tre3hugger]

. But is there anything wrong with using something like sharp loppers/pruners to just completely remove the head?

The argument against this is the heart stops beating, supposedly resulting in a less compete bleed.

 

[Stablecoop]

We recently dispatched 51 meat birds using sharp loppers and a cone. This was a two person job for us, one person gently calmed the bird and held the neck/head and one person used the loppers. Be sure and swift with the loppers. It worked well and birds bled out just as successfully as with a jugular cut and sticking knife. The thrashing/ nervous system reaction was definitely more pronounced with the loppers compared to the jugular cut, so we had to make sure the bird was held securely in the cone for that period. Also, the skin on the back of the neck tended to hang on after the loppers made their cut, but each and every time, the deed was done in a split second, no mistakes.

 

[fuelbox]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. This helps me a great deal.