Chicken bald back

[WitchHazel]

Hi All

 

We've culled five more birds today, and it's been a different experience to the last one. I thought I'd share it here.

 

A couple of weeks ago we killed 6 of the 7 cockerels. We used the broomstick method, as we had learned on our course last year. It wasn't the nicest experience in the world, and we think that, for us, six in one go was too many. The reason we did it was that the cockerels were of an age where they were starting to cause trouble, fighting amongst themselves, turning into thugs, terrorising the hens etc.

 

Since the cockerels (bar one) have gone, the flock of girls has become much more settled, and have really got into exhibiting real chicken behaviours. They have been dustbathing, they are more relaxed, etc. (We have decided that if we end up with a lot of cockerels next time, we will keep them in their own pen and shed, away from the Girls).

 

This week, we killed four of the hens and our remaining cockerel, who was not a ross cob but some other - spectacular looking - cross.

 

This time we had invested in one of the Tripod despatchers. It was a lot of money (not surprising, now we've actually seen it. It weighs a ton!). We had considered buying a stunner, but we have no electric where the chickens are, so we'd wither have to use a generator, or take the chickens somewhere else to be killed, and I'm concerned that both those options would just add more stress for the birds.

 

So it was either that or the broomstick. (Having learned some time ago that the objects sold as "humane dispatchers" are anything but humane, we would not consider those).

 

From the pure technical despatching point of view, today was much better. The tripod worked really well, it was much easier to be sure that we were doing a humane and instantaneous kill. The flapping was contained within the tripod, so was less traumatic for us.

 

The bit that was harder was that the Girls were just so relaexed and docile, it felt much more like murder. The Boys had been real thugs - we didn't enjoy killing them, but it was easier to be matter of fact about it. But these girls were just so sweet, no resistance, it was so much worse. Especially as we had to pick which ones we were going to kill.

 

Killing Lumpy, the cockerel, was tough. We'd discussed keeping him until the end as I believe he was helping to keep the Girls in order. The trouble was, I was getting more attached to him and I think my DH and OC (Other Chap) were too. I know DH has been worrying about killing Lumpy, so it seemed better to do it now before it got any worse.

 

Once we'd killed and plucked Lumpy we discovered his breastbone was severely deformed. It didn't seem to bother him (when he was alive, of course).

 

We sat around the table discussing today's experience and comparing it to last time, and discussing whether we still wanted to go ahead with more Dinner CHickens. We decided we would go ahead, we would never have so many Dinner chickens at one time again (we started with 23), and that we will definitely separate the Dinner cockerels from the Dinner Hens next time. It means yet another shed has to be built to house them, but it'll be worth it if it means calmer flocks.

[Peter S]

Hi All,

 

Some excellent and really helpful postings here. We are new to the table bird club, and dispatched our first (a magnificent 18-week old Sussex x Sasso cock) on Thursday. We couldn't believe quite how long the process took, probably about three hours for one bird.

 

We shut him in the Eglu house alone Wednesday night, and collected him from the Eglu port Thursday morning. Very little fuss on his behalf, even when he was upside down (which made it all the worse, to be honest!). We were going to attempt to wring his neck, but he had such a thick neck that we couldn't use this method. I had read about the broomstick method and, although I could see the benefits of this method, personally I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we were left with the axe, which was swift and (relatively) clean, although I'm really glad we laid a sheet of plastic on the floor, as there was a lot of blood.

 

After about 30 mins hanging from the clothes horse ( ), the bleeding had stopped, so we started hand plucking - this took ages, but wasn't too difficult as he was still warm. Gutting him wasn't the most pleasant experience, but made an awful lot better by restricting food intake from the evening before. Now we know what we are doing, the process should be a lot faster next time.

 

I was interested in WitchHazel's post that "humane dispatchers" are anything but humane, and wondered if you could elaborate a little more on that. I only ask as, in order to make dispatching easier for all concerned next time, we have ordered a wall-mounted dispatcher from Ascott Smallholding in preference to the tripod, based purely on cost (£30 versus £300 ).

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[WitchHazel]

Hi Peter

 

There was an article about in in last August's Practical Poultry, and then some discussion on the "practical Poultry" forum:

 

http://www.kelseyinfo.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1215011695

 

The upshot is that it is (apparently - never tried it, so I'm not speaking from experience) all too easy to end up crushing the birds neck instead of dislocating it. Crushing (and wringing) a neck causes severe pain to the bird, and death is not instantaneous.

 

Someone else on this forum - Lesley, was it? - experienced the neck mangling for herself. If I can find the post, I'll add a link.

 

EDITED TO ADD: Here's Lesley's post:

Good points about despatchers Hazel - I'm glad you asked.

 

We started with a Humane despatcher (wall mounted) because I can't use the broomstick method due to my knee problems. It was useless and we ended up in tears as we mangled a poor chooks neck and it was still looking at us

 

The cone is just so effective and very quick - well worth the money.

 

We set it up away from out hens as we don't like them to see - Carl fetches the chook to be despatched and cuddles it on his way to the despatch area - we both say goodbye and then it's upside down in the cone, Carl holding it's legs and guiding the head through the cone - I offer up the two bars which do the deed and Carl takes them, postions the head and pulls. It is so quick, quicker than lots we've seen done on the many programmes around. The flapping is minimised, you can feel the break in the neck and the eyes close straight away.

 

We're glad we spent the money - even if we're not yet processing the dozen every couple of months as we'd envisaged.

 

hope that helps.

 

If you are happy using an axe, then that's actually a very humane method as well, provided it's a sharp axe and the head is severed immediately with one blow.

 

We didn't go down this route as I knew I wouldn't be able to cope with the volime of blood. On our dispatching course, the girl in front of me pulled too hard and the chook's head came off, it wasn't pleasant.

[Lesley]

I'm glad it all went well Hazel - as you know, we went down the same route. We would never have 20 in one batch again either.

 

Peter - some people swear by the hand held or wall mounted despatcher - it really wasn't for us though. They come with no instructions and it is obvious that you tighten or loosen the screw depending on the size of neck......but to what criteria?? nothing to say......

[Peter S]

Thanks for the info re the "humane dispatcher", WitchHazel - I wish I had asked the question on here before going ahead and getting it. After a quick look through these pages and those on Practical Poultry, I understand the issues with this device, although some people appear to have used it successfully. I guess we shall just have to give it a go, and try to make it a quick and effective dispatch.

 

If we cannot get this work well, then we'll try the broomstick method, although I do wonder whether there isn't a (albeit short) period when the birds neck it being crushed, just after you step on the broom with both feet and just before you pull on the legs.

 

The cone method does seem to have a number of advantages, but unfortunately we cannot justify the cost at the moment. Perhaps I'll root around on EBay to see if I can find it a bit cheaper...

 

I suppose it all comes down to finding a method that you feel comfortable with, so that you are not stressed by the process, and this will hopefully stop the bird being stressed.

 

I completely agree with Lesley's comments about the lack of instructions - I expected there to be some correlation between neck thickness and a setting on the device, not just a screw to loosen or tighten at will!

 

Peter

[TAJ]

The humane society specifically advise against these 'humane' dispatchers. You can get the basic metal cone (not with stand or leaver meachanisum) on E-bay for £6.99 - we got this, but after Alison's course OH has always successfully used the broomstick method.

 

Tracy

[tidygirlsuk]

I'm glad that I've found this topic as I'm going on Alisons course september.

[Peter S]

Having set up the "humane" dispatcher, we went out this morning with the intention of killing another bird - the crowing is getting rather excessive now.

 

However...

 

Having read all the comments on this site, we couldn't bring ourselves to use it. We then found ourselves totally unable to use even the (newly bought) axe, for fear of cocking it up, so the lucky cockerel was returned to the others (twice!).

 

This leads us to a big problem...

 

We have two birds ready to go, with another two following close behind. We need to dispatch them, as some time ago we arranged to collect some ex-bats to replace our hens - they are due next Saturday! So between now and then, we need to dispatch 3-4 birds, and haven't a clue how we are going to do this.

 

Any chance there is anyone in the Brum area who is familiar with the "broomstick" (or any other) method who could show us what to do?!

 

In desperation...

 

Peter & Bryan

[Redwing]

Youre a bit far away for me and I am not terribly experienced

 

If you get no closer offers I am sre we can sort something out though

[mostin]

Having set up the "humane" dispatcher, we went out this morning with the intention of killing another bird - the crowing is getting rather excessive now.

 

However...

 

Having read all the comments on this site, we couldn't bring ourselves to use it. We then found ourselves totally unable to use even the (newly bought) axe, for fear of cocking it up, so the lucky cockerel was returned to the others (twice!).

 

This leads us to a big problem...

 

We have two birds ready to go, with another two following close behind. We need to dispatch them, as some time ago we arranged to collect some ex-bats to replace our hens - they are due next Saturday! So between now and then, we need to dispatch 3-4 birds, and haven't a clue how we are going to do this.

 

Any chance there is anyone in the Brum area who is familiar with the "broomstick" (or any other) method who could show us what to do?!

 

In desperation...

 

Peter & Bryan

 

Hi Peter,

 

sorry I'm a bit far North from you. I've been on the broomstick course, I wish I could help you, (even though I did make a bit of a whoops of mine the 1st time ). The bird did not suffer at all, I must stress, but a similar mess was made to the axe method .

 

Because of that, if "Ooops, word censored!"ody else can help you out before Sat, I would build up your courage and do it with the axe as you did the 1st bird. It will be quick and painless. You have just got the jitters because of all the things you have heard about the dispatchers. I do agree with what I've heard though, that's why I went on the broomstick course.

 

Trust in yourselves, you did it right once, you can do it again .

[WitchHazel]

Peter I'm really sorry that this has happened.

 

Mostin is right. You did it right with the axe before, so in the absence of anything else, use that method again. It is very bloody, but it's no worse than using the broomstick method and pulling too hard so the head comes off.

[Peter S]

Thanks everyone. You're all bang on about the jitters!

 

I found a video of someone using the (or at least, "a") broomstick method, plucked up my courage and was pleasantly surprised - much better than the axe.

 

I think I was thinking about things too much...

 

Anyhow, the deed is done (at least for one bird), and I'm fairly confident for tomorrow's bird.

 

And there was me expecting it to get easier!

 

Thanks ever so much for the encouragement!

 

Peter

[moochoo]

I've pm'd you Peter. I can happily show you the "broomstick" method.

[Peter S]

Thanks Sarah - I've replied. Much appreciated and I look forward to meeting you!

 

Peter

[Redwing]

Well done Peter!

[Lesley]

Glad to hear that you've managed the two - we still find it uncomfortable....

 

 

.....so much so that we went to buy 6 more today - changed to 8 as soon as Carl was asked how many - and came home with 9 as Carl caught an escapee for Jude

[Redwing]

chick of fate then Lesley (some fate!) what age are they?

[Peter S]

In some ways, I'm actually glad that I find it distressing - it means that I'm still human!

 

When we were at Jude's last Saturday, we found it incredibly hard not to fill the car with assorted birds

[Lesley]

Birthday Chicken of fate

 

They are about 6 weeks old - I've just posted a photo in my Good Life thread.......

[bronze]

my top tip is don't time having to prep them with being pregnant. I had to pay someone to do my second batch as I just couldnt cope with them. I say pay, he had a couple of cockerels

[mostin]

Thanks everyone. You're all bang on about the jitters!

 

I found a video of someone using the (or at least, "a") broomstick method, plucked up my courage and was pleasantly surprised - much better than the axe.

 

I think I was thinking about things too much...

 

Anyhow, the deed is done (at least for one bird), and I'm fairly confident for tomorrow's bird.

 

And there was me expecting it to get easier!

 

Thanks ever so much for the encouragement!

 

Peter

 

Well done peter , it is hard, and I would hate to feel nothing at all , your right.

 

I'm glad Moochoo can come and help you out, we were on the same course together and had alot of fun that day , as well as learning a lot of course .

[Griffin]

Glad you got it over and done with. I use the broomstick method too. I find it best if I don't think about it too much or spend time dawdling. Once it's got to be done I'd rather get it over with as quickly as possible because I hate the feeling I get in my stomach when I know I have to do it. Poor Hercules was gone less than an hour after making his first crow

[Peter S]

It has to be said, there is a distinct lack of crowing this morning - perhaps they are begining to learn...

 

What I find amazing is that the first bird (Sassos) dressed out at 6lb 2oz, and yesterday's bird dressed out at 6lb 3oz, despite being a week or so older - I guess they must have reached their plateau.

 

BTW - what's the consensus on hanging - do people hang with guts in or out, and for how long? We have been hanging for 24 hours, guts out. Does the flavour become really gamey if you hang with guts in, or does that just make for a really unpleasant gutting experience later on?

 

Peter

[Redwing]

I think you are officially supposed to hang 'guts in' as hanging with no guts defeats the purpose I believe

 

Personally we don't like the gamey taste you get when you hang them for days so have reduced the time down to just 24 hours which is (so I have read) the minimum amount of time you should leave it to let the meat get tender

 

Some people hang them for a lot longer and prefer that taste

 

I suppose it also depends on whether it was a girl or a boy as boys have more dark meat on them so you might not want to hang them as long

 

I culled the last one on an evening then put it in the fridge and gutted it the following evening

 

Putting it in the fridge counts as 'hanging' however with the next one I will leave it actually hanging for a couple of hours after culling so that more of the blood drains in to the neck cavity

[Lesley]

We pluck, hang and gut on day 1 and then place in the fridge until day 4 - then we either eat or freeze. We don't like the gamey flavour of hanging guts in.