Alis girls Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I want to learn how to do this humanely and soon. Took a sick girl to friends husband to dispatch and he did it for me which is all well and good but I need to learn in case I need it and soon. All the courses are way out of London and not many for this kind of thing. I dont mind a hatch and dispatch. Can anyone point me to anywhere else which does courses. I scared myself witless when I went onto some site (American ) where there was a huge snake about to eat a live chicken. Ok some would argue its nature but it wasnt pleasant esp as I hate snakes. Thanks Ali x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Lots of these courses are Dispatch & Dress, intended for growing on and preparing meat birds for the table. I know the topic of dispatching is often discussed on Advanced Courses but for practical reasons, it would be a waste to dispatch otherwise healthy chickens on such a course and not prepare them for food, unless you used cockerels. If I was in the area I would be happy to show you so hopefully someone else will come along and offer. Down South I know of South Yeo Farm in Devon or a friend Sara at Hen Corner is in West London, not sure if she may be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 If you find anywhere near London Ali, I'd be interested. My friend despatches them for me in the traditional way. He says he can teach me but having watched him, I know that I'm not physically strong enough to do it - I have wrist problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I often go down to Elstree to see my folks, but wouldn't have any chickens to hand there to demonstrate on what a shame. Olly, the broomstick method is easy, and you don't need to be strong to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 That's the one I want to learn, I remember quite a few years ago that a bunch of Omleteers went on a 'kill, pluck, gut and bone' course and reported back on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 You need to have a few table birds available for the course as it's important to watch it being done first, then to do it yourself a couple of times, while someone is on hand to help/teach you. That way, you also end up with a few oven/freezer ready birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 i use the broomstick method its so easy and quick my friend showed me a few years back i took one of my spare boys to hers she culled my boy and then we went to her stable and got one of hers that i culled but all i could remember was this cockbird looking at me so not only did i cull him i almost broke my friends fingers well fancy not taking you hand out from under the broomstick all i knew is i wanted to get it over with quick for the birds sake.The next time i had to do it on my own was not nice but now i don't even think about it anymore just get on with it i cull for friends now too who can't do it leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Broomstick method used here too. I think it is an essential skill for a chicken keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I'm in awe of all you guys that can or want to learn to dispatch, I know for a fact in too much of a woosy...it's a trip to the vets for me in embarrassed to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 Thanks everyone - I wouldnt want to dispatch an otherwise healthy chuck just so I can practice, having observed the neck wringing for want of a better word I dont think I could do. Might investigate the broom method. I agree its a necessary part of being a chicken mum, however I wouldnt be able to dispatch one of my cats if they were ill. Believe me the guilt I felt after was awful. Couldnt sleep and I'm a hardened nurse used to blood gore n death. As OH said if you were a farmer you'd be fine but as a surbaban HW looking after backyard girls I am a wuss. Will contiunue surfing net to see if I can find something near. Rest assured my remaining lady is perfectly safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 Thanks Lewis - I had spotted Sara might give her a ring or email. And Olly if I find someone I will PM you. No one in Essex I take it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I'm in awe of all you guys that can or want to learn to dispatch, I know for a fact in too much of a woosy...it's a trip to the vets for me in embarrassed to say. That's fine; everyone has their own threshold of what they are prepared to do. Some friends sometimes have terminal chooks dumped on them, and while they are able to despatch them themselves, they will usually ask if I am passing by - I'm only 10 mins away. My bantams are too small for the broomstick, so I use a hatchet which is what my grandfather did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I do have a chap who lives 5 minutes from me Awho runs chicken keeping courses and he is prepared should I need him but I also like to think if one of my ladies suffered a terrible injury from a fox maybe I would be able to help her along her way but for a poorly hen then as I said before, vets here i come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Wasn't it somebody in Hook who did the despatch course? Perhaps she has stopped doing it. I would also advocate the broomstick method (little strength required) or the axe on youngstock. There are some excellent videos online if you can't get to see somebody demonstrate, but I fully accept we aren't all able to do this and the vet is a perfectly acceptable option. I have done it myself and wouldn't hesitate to do it again, I find myself incapable of dispatching certain old timers, and when my beloved cats have had to be pts, then there has been no bigger wuss than me, I can't bear it I wouldn't expect anybody to cull their own birds lightly, as long as people do the right thing in welfare terms, whether its cull or vet, then its the right outcome. Its the dumping of unwanted cock birds after the excitement of hatching which really annoys me. Bringing new life into being has responsibilities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Couldn't have put it better daphne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Alison at Hook Farm used to run courses but she stopped a while back, another part of her business and changed hands to a lady on an industrial estate. Completely agree, it doesn't matter if it is the owner or the vet who puts the bird to sleep, as long as it is done in good time and efficiently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
