Part 0800.0005

[jam]

Hi all,

Thinking of getting a pair of humane dispatchers. trouble is ive read that they they sometimes dont cause an instant death. Has anybody had any trouble with this, or am I worrying over nothing?

Thanks

[The Dogmother]

If you mean the hinged ones that attach to the wall, then I personally wouldn't recommend them - they do a pretty poor job and often don't kill outright. I prefer to use the broom handle method.

 

If you have a large quantity of birds to despatch, then it's worth investing in a cone despatcher.

[Guest]

or you could go on a course to learn how to do it. A lot of us went on a course last year, maybe someone could post a link to the lady's web site that does the courses?

[sjp]

do you mean this one:- http://www.cotswoldchickens.com/despatch--dress-course-24-p.asp

[jam]

I mean the hand held pliers. Are they just as bad?

[Jools]

There were some articles in P P magazine a few years ago on the best way to slaughter and pliers got a massive thumbs down. Here's an extract from the Humane Slaughter Society's website:

 

"Dislocating the neck of the bird may cause rupturing of the spine and concussion. When done correctly, this results in the bird losing consciousness immediately and irrecoverably. However, it is difficult to achieve concussion consistently using neck dislocation therefore this method is not suitable for routine commercial harvest. It may however be appropriate for small numbers of birds or for emergency killing. A humane alternative is electrical stunning followed immediately by neck dislocation. Methods that crush the neck (e.g. pliers) do not cause concussion and are therefore unlikely to cause painless or immediate loss of consciousness. Their use is therefore NOT recommended. It is important that a technician applying neck dislocation is mentally prepared to carry through the whole procedure. Practice on dead birds may improve the confidence in application of this method. "

[jam]

Ok, it was just a thought. I'd like to go on a course, trouble is all the ones ive found are too far away from me. Does anyone know of any in hertfordshire/ essex?

[TAJ]

Ironically, dispite their name 'humane dispatchers' seem to be considered the least humane method and the humane society do not approve this method.

 

Tracy

[The Dogmother]

I guess that some mugs must still buy then, or they wouldn't be on the market.

 

I remember my (Italian) grandfather despatching his meat birds with a hatchet; has to be the fastest way. Phil's dad is a retired poultry farmer, and he used to pull their necks by hand, but then he's a tall chap with enormous hands. I don't have the length of arm, nor strength to do it that way.

 

Lesley's cone despatcher is pretty good.

[Redwing]

I have a pair of the hand pliers type ones

 

They dont come with instructions which is frankly naff

 

I dont use them in the way that they look like they should be used if that makes sense, I use them in a similar way to the broomstick method and find them easier as they are so small

 

I would never use them on anything other than chicks though, for anything over 4 weeks I use the broomstick method in various forms depending on the age of the bird

[The Dogmother]

I use a steel edge with tiny chicks; works fine and is instant. Same as you'd use for quail.

[Jools]

I guess that some mugs must still buy then, or they wouldn't be on the market.

 

The thing is, while they're still being sold as "humane" dispatchers, then anyone who knows no better will buy them. If that makes the unsuspecting buyer a mug, I'm not sure what it makes the seller?

[The Dogmother]

I guess that some mugs must still buy then, or they wouldn't be on the market.

 

The thing is, while they're still being sold as "humane" dispatchers, then anyone who knows no better will buy them. If that makes the unsuspecting buyer a mug, I'm not sure what it makes the seller?

 

Something that's not repeatable on a polite forum!