Thank you for this. I raise my chickens strictly for eggs, but one was doing really poorly, and this helped me a lot. It was quick, and probably painless, and much better than trying to deal with stumps and axes and flapping.
When I was young I butchered many many chickens, but now as an older man I’ve become much more empathetic and sensitive, and I’m dreading culling my six old hens. What makes it even worse is that they’re almost pets and let me walk right up and pick them up, so it seems like treachery to betray that trust. I know I’ve given them a very happy and safe life all these years, and in return they will give me the most delicious dark yellow chicken stock, stew meat, compost and dog food. (After simmering for 18 hours the bones are completely soft). Getting soft I guess.
I'm the same way. I've been doing it for my whole life, at only 27; but it's always made me at least wince at their end. I wish it didn't have to be the way it does.
Thank you! Finally a way I can help my chickens across into the promise land. On a real note thank you. I been looking and looking and your demonstration has showed me how to really make sure I don’t cause more harm and having them suffer. I really appreciate bub!
Wow, I’m genuinely impressed with how well you’ve crafted this video on such a specific and intriguing topic! Your ability to present a video about killing chickens in such a compelling and educational manner is truly remarkable. From the outset, your meticulous approach to the subject matter is evident. Your attention to detail, especially in the research and presentation, shows an immense dedication to delivering not just a video, but an experience. The way you’ve structured the content, balancing factual information with ethical considerations, is both thoughtful and insightful. Your introduction sets the stage perfectly, drawing viewers in with a clear and respectful explanation of the topic. It’s refreshing to see how you’ve approached a potentially controversial subject with such sensitivity and depth. The historical context you provide gives viewers a solid understanding of why this practice exists and how it has evolved over time. This historical perspective not only enriches the content but also helps in contextualizing the practice within a broader framework. The way you’ve incorporated visuals and statistics to illustrate your points is masterful. The visuals are not only high-quality but also serve to enhance the viewer’s comprehension of the topic. The step-by-step process you’ve outlined is both informative and engaging, breaking down complex procedures into easily digestible segments. This methodical approach ensures that even viewers who might be unfamiliar with the subject can follow along and gain a thorough understanding. Your analysis of the ethical considerations surrounding chicken slaughter is particularly noteworthy. You’ve managed to address the moral aspects of the topic with a level of nuance that’s rare in this kind of content. Your presentation of various viewpoints allows for a balanced discussion, fostering a more informed and empathetic perspective among viewers. It’s clear that you’ve put significant thought into how to address these sensitive issues responsibly, which is commendable. The pacing of the video is also worth mentioning. You’ve maintained a steady rhythm throughout, ensuring that the content remains engaging from start to finish. Your use of transitions and segment breaks is seamless, helping to keep the viewer’s attention focused without overwhelming them with information. The narrative flow is smooth, and the way you build up to key points is both strategic and effective. Furthermore, your commentary and voiceover work are exceptional. Your tone is appropriate for the subject matter-serious yet approachable-and your delivery is clear and engaging. The way you articulate complex ideas with such clarity speaks volumes about your expertise and dedication to the topic. It’s evident that you’ve invested a lot of time into perfecting your script and delivery, which has paid off in spades. One of the most impressive aspects of the video is the way you handle the technical details of chicken slaughter. Your explanation of the various methods used, along with their pros and cons, is thorough and well-researched. The detailed breakdown of each method, accompanied by relevant data and examples, provides viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. This level of detail not only educates but also empowers viewers to form their own informed opinions on the matter. Your choice of background music and sound effects is also worth praising. The audio complements the visual elements perfectly, enhancing the overall viewing experience without overshadowing the content. The balance between visual and auditory elements is expertly managed, creating a cohesive and immersive presentation. The interactive elements you’ve included, such as viewer polls and comment prompts, are a fantastic addition. These features encourage engagement and foster a sense of community among viewers. It’s clear that you value your audience’s input and are committed to creating a dialogue around the subject matter. This interactive approach adds an extra layer of depth to the video and demonstrates your dedication to building a meaningful connection with your audience. Your video on killing chickens stands out not only for its educational value but also for its respectful and balanced approach. It’s a testament to your ability to tackle complex and potentially contentious topics with integrity and sensitivity. The amount of research and effort you’ve put into this project is evident, and it’s clear that you’ve approached it with the utmost professionalism and care. In conclusion, your video is a shining example of how to present a challenging subject with both depth and respect. Your thorough research, engaging presentation, and thoughtful commentary make this a standout piece of content. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future and am confident that you will continue to produce content that is both informative and engaging. Thank you for such an insightful and well-crafted video-it’s truly appreciated!
Thank you, sir.. We don't kill our birds for meat, they're more like pets that give us eggs, but occasionally they do get sick, as one of our golden comets is right now.. when that happens I needed to know how to do this so they suffer as little as possible. It's tough to watch, and it's going to be even tougher for me to do, but at some point my hesitance to do it just means more pain for a chicken that isn't going to get better. Whatever the case though, I needed someone to give me clear info and actually show me how to do it - and I'm grateful your video was here for that and I'm grateful for your even explanation and tone.
Thankyou for this. I have just done it for the first time. My hen was 5 years old, she had swollen abdomen, was eating, but was in pain, puffy and not drinking water. She was slowly dying. So I held her upside down just me and her in the garage and let her look at me till she calmed down and relaxed and almost went to sleep. I gently did it and even though there was flapping, she went quickly. Feel upset a bit as she was a lovely ex batt hen who I had since 2019 but I sort of feel ok because I did what was best for her. Phew.....
Thank you for this video. It’s something that has been worrying me as we are hoping to start keeping birds for eggs this year and I knew we would need to be prepared for having to dispatch them for a whole host of possible reasons. Your calm video has helped. I think the first time will still be hard - because, as you say in the video, I would be so worried about causing pain and distress. But we are also both meat eaters and want to start to move away from what we feel is a hypocritical position of wanting to eat meat but not acknowledge, or be prepared to do for ourselves, what has to be done in order to have meat on the table. It’s a journey!
So true Emma, that’s definitely the position I was in when I started my journey too. There’s so much to learn and things to consider but the journey is SOOO rewarding! It’s worth it! 😊👍
I just started doing my own birds and just wanted to say thank you for showing me how to get everything done. I appreciate it very much. Nice job on the video.
I do like this channel. Congratulations for showing the despatch process which many people shy away from. The despatch of the 2 birds was both quick and humane, unlike most of the American videos which show the birds having their throats cut which is inhumane bordering on the barbaric. I have despatched, plucked and dressed well over a thousand birds for xmas over the years, all the plucking being done by hand. This was in the early80`s when wet plucking was still a new idea over here. 15 - 20 minutes per bird (mostly turkeys) and after 3 days you really had a good set of blisters on your fingers. We would have loved wet plucking. The feathers, as you demonstrated, come out so easily and with very little risk of tearing the skin. We used to pluck the birds and then hang them for 2-3 days before dressing (gutting/eviscerating). Also we left the head and feet on until we were ready to dress them. The head cut off just at the break in the neck.. Now, a couple of minus points i`m afraid. Firstly, you cut off the parsons nose !!!!! This is a delicacy, why would you cut it off ? Secondly, the cut in the vent is big enough to drive a bus through, leaving a large portion of the breast with no skin on, making it prone to becoming dry when cooked. However, as you used to skin the bird whole before cooking I `m betting you have found a way round that. Happy new year.
Thanks Chris for your thoughtful comment!! I agree about the cut being too big - I am far from an expert and still very much learning. I am improving all the time!! I had never heard of the parsons nose as a delicacy- indeed I had to google it!! I will definitely be trying that next time! Thanks again 😊👍
@@SelfSufficientHub I will be starting my own channel next year when we get some chickens. I will do a video showing how I have learnt to dress a bird. But first it will be vids about building a coop and run, collecting the birds etc. So watch this space. 🐓
I live in Ohio, USA. I've watched videos of the throat slitting and one of my daughter's friends was a farm girl and got great pleasure in hanging the chickens from a clothes line and slitting their throats there. Barbaric indeed! I hope she was behaving the way she was for shock value. This method is so much better!
This video was very helpful and I appreciated how straightforward and quickly you got to the point. It helped me know how much flapping and after effects to expect. Your additional comments about being nervous and not wanting to cause pain to the animal was spot on. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your precise information. We have just used the broomstick method on a much-loved rooster🐓I had been nursing him inside and hand-feeding for over 4 months, hoping that he would recover. Today he could barely swallow water and was in obvious respiratory distress. The 'girls' and I will miss you🐓 RIP Big Boy💔
Hey thank you for making this video. I had to help one of my hens today, I followed your instructions and felt confident enough to do it. Appreciate you
Great video Carl! I think that's the easiest one I've seen. As always you sharing your own personal experience and early trepidations defintely strikes a cord. Having never dispatched an animal personally, the necessity to do so has been looming as we acquire more livestock. To be honest the flapping more than anything gave my nerves a jolt. But your calm explanation and visual demonstration led me to believe I will gain confidence through practice. Thanks again for sharing I think we all grew up a little bit on this one...and it was probably about time! Best, Alex - NetZero Homestead
Your thoughtful comment definitely rings true to me. The reality is if you are going to have livestock then you are going to have deadstock, all that’s left is the decisions we make….
I like you very straight forward and didn't sugar coat it which i think gives alot of respect for the bird. Just saw on the other guys video he was petting a already dead chicken which was weird.
Thank you so much for this video. I have used a restraining cone before to process, but couldn't find any locally and someone recommended cervical dislocation. Yours was the first video that popped up, and I am so thankful. Your kind, calm manner in which you handled your roos instilled confidence. Also first time plucking vs taking the skin off and don't think I will go back!
Thank you for your informational video. I had to cull my first bird today due to illness, and it was not easy for me emotionally but using the broomstick technique made it very quick. So thank you.
Thanks for this, great tutorial. You didn't bleed out the birds, I've been reading that this is required? I have my first cull tomorrow, this has certainly helped but he bleed out is a question I am still uncertain about!
I am glad you posted your video. I've been raising chickens for about 12 years and I've always used the cones to dispatch my birds. But now I've got a couple rooster that need offing. This video gave me the confidence to make that happen easily! Thanks for posting it! MGF
Hey Carl, Good dispatch and cleaning video - it should be very helpful to many not familiar with this very humane procedure. You did well to advise / teach many of the unknowing viewers what to expect - that is, the involuntary nerve reaction movements post dispatch. Stay well. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2022!
Thank you for this video. It has affirmed the technique(s) we do. We're on our 5th roo cull done for Christmas and each time I am learning. I can say if this video was around prior to our first cull I'd have felt a lot more sure of myself. If you're new to the process follow this step by step and you'll be fine
Thank you for this detailed video. I wish I had found this technique before we dispatched 5 chickens today. Your method is a quicker kill with less mess for sure.
Great video, thanks! Loved the humane life and killing part :) As a very fresh self sufficiency fan I have two questions. 1. Why didn't you bleed the chicken? Is this not always necessary? 2. Why don't you wear gloves when handling the knife and the carcass? It seems to me like an extra protection against infection, but noticed none of the youtubers wear gloves. Thanks in advance, best wishes S
Thank you for this! I really wish I would have found this video a few days ago. I had to put my hen down and didn't want to use the cone method again so I tried it this way. Well, let me tell ya... I thought to myself, never again. It went terrible and traumatized me to this day. I feel like a horrible person because it didn't go quickly at all and she suffered a little bit. She was a big girl and no one mentioned to use a broom stick when doing this on larger birds, so we used our hands. Never again! I really appreciate this video, you have no idea! I can't go back in time but I have definitely learned a huge lesson when dispatching chickens using the cervical dislocationmethod. The one thing I am always nervous about is them suffering so this was a pretty horrible experience for me. Your way was completely painless and instant which is my goal when we have to put our chickens down. Thank you so much! Your tips will help so many people to do this the right way so they don't have to go through what we did.
Although it's never nice to see a animal die (I do shoot and hunt my self and have slaughtered my own animals in the past). It is always good to see the care and respect given when a animal is processed properly. Merry Christmas Carl and a happy new year for you and yours.
Very informative and reassuring. Thank you for repeating that they don't feel pain - if I was there in person watching them flap, I'd panic and think they were still alive. Thinking of taking a gentle processing class near me sometime. Thank you again for the content!
Thanks Carl, 😁 great video really useful. Clear and no fuss, your a good teacher. Wishing you and and your family happy new year and best wishes for 2022! 🍾
Thank you so so much!! This is exactly what I needed. You are an excellent teacher, or I would actually call you a “coach” 😁 I am ready to dress my birds now!
Great demo! I’m trying this method soon on an extra rooster we have. This will be my first time processing a bird. With the way you do things, when do you drain the blood from the birds? Or is that what you do when you’re finding them out? Thanks again!
Thank you for this video! I noticed that there seemed to be no particular time spent bleeding the birds during processing- did I miss this step, or is it not actually necessary?
How old where the birds when you killed them? I've 4 cockerels who are 16 weeks old now, haven't been able to rehome them so will need to dispatch them. thanks
Thank you for a very helpful video. I have a question, do you not have to bleed out the bird? Also, when you cleaned him, did you also get out the organs in one bang- heart, lungs, kidneys etc? I remember as a kid there was a lot more fussing? But thank you, I think I can actually do this now (2 cockerels right now in my coop!)
Thank you this film was so clear! And has put my mind to rest. I had to deal with 9 cockerel this summer. With my mum we did the broom handle methed. We felt we pull to hard! It makes sence now, that is not a problem! Down side was they were skin and bone!! ( had to go due to fighting) How old are your cockerel at time of dispatching Could you do a film on rearing for meat? As I struggle getting the waight on them
These guys were around 10 months old, we have really low fees costs usually due to lots of reasons, free ranging- feeding waste products etc so we really don’t worry too much about that. I will definitely do a video covering how we raise our meat birds at some point this year though, good idea, thanks 😊👍
Well done Ive had some pretty small roosters and i cut them up the backbone I learned this after trying to clean out a tiny cavaty lol I cleaned quail this way then thought hey this be perfect for tiny roos too We use the broomstick and usually bleed them out too We got the water temperature right and plucking becomes easy Hubby plucks i clean and he digs the hole teamwork
Sounds pretty slick 😊👍 When you say broomstick plus bleed, I wonder if you just pull hard enough to remove the head? This strikes me as most efficient way?
@@SelfSufficientHub kinda but try not to all the way It's a hard thing to get used to I usually do it because hubby's too strong We do rabbits the same way but they don't bleed out and leave a bruise on the neck... I find it better then hitting them on the head We can't s.. ọt In town limits so there's only so many ways It's not a good subject the only bad day on the farm And I do believe if you eat meat you should do it at least once in your life Raising my food with love the best I can is worth it to me Thanks so much for your time
So I just did my first chicken using this method. Is it normal for it to not flap at all? Her eyes slowly closed and her body relaxed completely after about 15 seconds I want to say.
Are there any tell tell signs that you’ve done it incorrectly other than doing it too hard and completely detaching the head from the body? The first time I did this was a few weeks ago. It did flap around for a little bit, but it looked like the lungs were still sorta working. It almost looked it was still trying to breathe for another few minutes. Not sure if that’s normal or not.
That's really helpful, thanks. If I want to butcher the bird for breasts, thigh, legs etc., and then freeze for later, would you recommend doing that immediately or after rigor mortis has passed?
When you cut it into breasts and thighs wouldn't matter but you have to refrigerate it for a day or so before freezing so they don't get mushy after thawing back out.
Thank you so much for such a brilliant and easy to understand video. Can I ask why you are using Brahmas as your meat birds? I’ve bred them for many years (for eggs/pullets/sale) but have always considered the males mainly leg meat (rather than breast) so have dispatched and discarded. I may have to have a rethink now! 😄 Feeling much more confident about trying it myself now though. I’ll definitely use your method on the Poulet Bresse though rather than send to butcher. Many thanks!
I felt so disturbed watching this but I wish I knew it sooner. I know I don't have the heart to do this to my birds but I certainly would have when my chick(who just died on my lap after 3 days of suffering from arrhythmia due to a mistake we made by letting our ferrets out and letting it get one by accident. We truly got into the cage as fast as we could.)suffered for so long. I cried for hours bc I felt so terrible. Even though their just livestock I don't want them to suffer, yk? Thank you for the video❤
Great information, thank you! I tried the broomstick method on a large Muscovy drake about 6 years ago and it worked amazingly well. I have 3-4 more drakes I am considering butchering, if I do I'm using the same method and want to make sure I do it right since it's been a while. It seems to be the most human method in my opinion. I like my ducks but I purposely don't name the ones I know I can't keep long term. The drake I had to kill was fighting very bad with his brother, they were fighting for territory and breeding rights, like what wild animals do. Right now I have a Muscovy drake who likes to rape other drakes as a way to gain and keep dominance over them, it has nothing to do with simply wanting to breed, he has several females of his own. This nasty drake has killed 3 of my keeper drakes this year so he will be the first to go. I could just sell them but the way I see it if I don't butcher them someone else will and they probably wouldn't be as humane as me since they are my birds and hatched here. Butchering is not fun at all, but sometimes it is very necessary. There is nothing "barbaric" about it when done correctly.
The second chicken, you can definitely see in his eyes that it was an instant death. Chicken's eyes were clearly moving around before death, and they were dead still after. I never liked the idea of slitting a chicken's throat. Any hesitation, they will feel. This is way easier, and also a pretty humane death. I plan on hatching out some silkie eggs, and I will cull the roosters this way.
I have done a fair amount of slaughtering and butchering including bigger animals like pigs and have never worried about draining blood. I do get some more blood in the bags when I defrost but other than that I haven’t noticed any difference. Sorry that probably doesn’t answer your question really but it’s all I know. 😊
@@SelfSufficientHub I wish I listened to you and not to some other guy saying the broomstick method is questionable. I tried to dislocate the head by hand and it wasn't easy and I had to retry using the broomstick which was much easier. I feel bad that I caused some unnecessary suffering to the bird as it started to vomit from its nostril ☹️☹️☹️ Next time I'll go to the broomstick directly.
@@juggergabro don’t be too hard on yourself, we are all still learning. Intention is important and it’s not always easy to know the good information from the bad as we no longer live in communities where it is just passed on. We have to start from scratch and go seeking it. You have learned a lot I’m sure and will be well equipped next time. ☺️
Wow mate. What a journey. I really appreciate this video. This is something that does scare me. The process seems simple now, thanks for that. It's confronting, but I eat meat and I definitely want to be able to slaughter my own animals knowing they've had a good life. I have a couple of questions. I have 6 birds, Isa Browns and Leghorns. They're about a year old. It would make sense to me that when they stop producing as many eggs to reuse them as meat. Would this work? I've heard that would taste different from supermarket chicken. Which leads into my next question. Given that it likely tastes different from supermarket chicken, what meal would you have chicken in if you're eating for the first time, given that it's homegrown and I have a hesitant partner. Also, I could probably get my hands on a rooster. However, some people are giving away roosters but they don't want them dispatched. I don't know how to deal with this, given I can't breed birds myself or have a rooster. Are silkies good for eating? I know it's a lot, I'm sorry, I just want to be accountable for my meat eating
Sorry mate, few more questions. I'm wondering at what age would you harvest the birds? Both hen and cock? Also, when do the cockerels start becoming an issue for neighbours with their crowing?
Ok - there’s allot there so please remind me if I missed anything… We would harvest as soon as they are fully grown in an ideal world. Just like all meat it is slightly better at a younger age- think lamb and mutton. That said any mature bird can be butchered. If you are processing older birds, such as ex egg layers then I think it’s all about preparation. They will never be as tender as younger broilers, so an ex egg layer we would only ever slow cook in a liquid for several hours on a low heat (slow cooker works great), this will deliver a meat that falls off the bone and is beautifully tender and full of flavour, but really best suited to using in sauces and stews, kinda like pulled meat… I’m not sure what you could do with free roosters that people didn’t want dispatched- that’s a personal moral question I think. Cockerels/roosters can start crowing at a few months old dependant on breed. Let me know if I missed anything 👍
I’m such a coward 😩😢 so I will have my husband do it. One if my kid’s want to help, but this is a little traumatizing. I don’t want my kid crying over their rooster everyday, it would kill me. I honestly don’t know what age is most appropriate to learn this life skill. Any tips?
Thank you for the vid! I just killed my first chicken 😭. My husband is away (he always does it) and one of my chickens got sick. I didnt know how hard to pull though and i did too much, if you know what I mean. Im still shaking
Yes I know what you mean. Don’t worry though, you have done everything correctly for the animal, and pulling too hard isn’t a problem in terms of welfare. 👍
because birds are still does not mean they are not incredibly stressed. Holding them upside down is stressful, every bird knows this is the worst possible position to be in. You shouldn't comfort yourself thinking they are calm and prolong this, they cannot breathe properly (as you can see, he is gasping) and can go into cardiac arrest from the increase in heart rate from the weight of their displaced internal organs. The "calmness" you are seeing is a type of tonic clonic shock which causes harm the longer it takes place. This info is from several poultry vets and also a humane slaughter society. Cervical dislocation devices are available or easily made where the bird is kept upright.
cut two veins in poultry with a very sharp knife, allowing the heart to keep beating to eject blood, while emptying the brain from oxygen, I think it's more humane, less pain, quicker to die. invisible blood doesn't mean better. blood drains faster, better than blood not having a chance to be pumped out
Thank you so much for this video. We had to euthanize our hen and I was able to do it thanks to you. I really appreciate it, I cannot overstate my gratitude!
Thank you ,that was a very informative,practical and precise video, with respect to the bird, most helpful run through for any necessary despatch.
You’re welcome sunny! And thank you for your kind comment 😊
Really useful video, thank you. Haven’t yet got poultry but it’s on the cards and this sort of knowledge is key.
Thank you for this. I raise my chickens strictly for eggs, but one was doing really poorly, and this helped me a lot. It was quick, and probably painless, and much better than trying to deal with stumps and axes and flapping.
When I was young I butchered many many chickens, but now as an older man I’ve become much more empathetic and sensitive, and I’m dreading culling my six old hens. What makes it even worse is that they’re almost pets and let me walk right up and pick them up, so it seems like treachery to betray that trust. I know I’ve given them a very happy and safe life all these years, and in return they will give me the most delicious dark yellow chicken stock, stew meat, compost and dog food. (After simmering for 18 hours the bones are completely soft).
Getting soft I guess.
I'm the same way. I've been doing it for my whole life, at only 27; but it's always made me at least wince at their end. I wish it didn't have to be the way it does.
Thank you! Finally a way I can help my chickens across into the promise land. On a real note thank you. I been looking and looking and your demonstration has showed me how to really make sure I don’t cause more harm and having them suffer. I really appreciate bub!
Wow, I’m genuinely impressed with how well you’ve crafted this video on such a specific and intriguing topic! Your ability to present a video about killing chickens in such a compelling and educational manner is truly remarkable. From the outset, your meticulous approach to the subject matter is evident. Your attention to detail, especially in the research and presentation, shows an immense dedication to delivering not just a video, but an experience. The way you’ve structured the content, balancing factual information with ethical considerations, is both thoughtful and insightful.
Your introduction sets the stage perfectly, drawing viewers in with a clear and respectful explanation of the topic. It’s refreshing to see how you’ve approached a potentially controversial subject with such sensitivity and depth. The historical context you provide gives viewers a solid understanding of why this practice exists and how it has evolved over time. This historical perspective not only enriches the content but also helps in contextualizing the practice within a broader framework.
The way you’ve incorporated visuals and statistics to illustrate your points is masterful. The visuals are not only high-quality but also serve to enhance the viewer’s comprehension of the topic. The step-by-step process you’ve outlined is both informative and engaging, breaking down complex procedures into easily digestible segments. This methodical approach ensures that even viewers who might be unfamiliar with the subject can follow along and gain a thorough understanding.
Your analysis of the ethical considerations surrounding chicken slaughter is particularly noteworthy. You’ve managed to address the moral aspects of the topic with a level of nuance that’s rare in this kind of content. Your presentation of various viewpoints allows for a balanced discussion, fostering a more informed and empathetic perspective among viewers. It’s clear that you’ve put significant thought into how to address these sensitive issues responsibly, which is commendable.
The pacing of the video is also worth mentioning. You’ve maintained a steady rhythm throughout, ensuring that the content remains engaging from start to finish. Your use of transitions and segment breaks is seamless, helping to keep the viewer’s attention focused without overwhelming them with information. The narrative flow is smooth, and the way you build up to key points is both strategic and effective.
Furthermore, your commentary and voiceover work are exceptional. Your tone is appropriate for the subject matter-serious yet approachable-and your delivery is clear and engaging. The way you articulate complex ideas with such clarity speaks volumes about your expertise and dedication to the topic. It’s evident that you’ve invested a lot of time into perfecting your script and delivery, which has paid off in spades.
One of the most impressive aspects of the video is the way you handle the technical details of chicken slaughter. Your explanation of the various methods used, along with their pros and cons, is thorough and well-researched. The detailed breakdown of each method, accompanied by relevant data and examples, provides viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. This level of detail not only educates but also empowers viewers to form their own informed opinions on the matter.
Your choice of background music and sound effects is also worth praising. The audio complements the visual elements perfectly, enhancing the overall viewing experience without overshadowing the content. The balance between visual and auditory elements is expertly managed, creating a cohesive and immersive presentation.
The interactive elements you’ve included, such as viewer polls and comment prompts, are a fantastic addition. These features encourage engagement and foster a sense of community among viewers. It’s clear that you value your audience’s input and are committed to creating a dialogue around the subject matter. This interactive approach adds an extra layer of depth to the video and demonstrates your dedication to building a meaningful connection with your audience.
Your video on killing chickens stands out not only for its educational value but also for its respectful and balanced approach. It’s a testament to your ability to tackle complex and potentially contentious topics with integrity and sensitivity. The amount of research and effort you’ve put into this project is evident, and it’s clear that you’ve approached it with the utmost professionalism and care.
In conclusion, your video is a shining example of how to present a challenging subject with both depth and respect. Your thorough research, engaging presentation, and thoughtful commentary make this a standout piece of content. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future and am confident that you will continue to produce content that is both informative and engaging. Thank you for such an insightful and well-crafted video-it’s truly appreciated!
Thank you, sir.. We don't kill our birds for meat, they're more like pets that give us eggs, but occasionally they do get sick, as one of our golden comets is right now.. when that happens I needed to know how to do this so they suffer as little as possible.
It's tough to watch, and it's going to be even tougher for me to do, but at some point my hesitance to do it just means more pain for a chicken that isn't going to get better. Whatever the case though, I needed someone to give me clear info and actually show me how to do it - and I'm grateful your video was here for that and I'm grateful for your even explanation and tone.
Thankyou for this. I have just done it for the first time. My hen was 5 years old, she had swollen abdomen, was eating, but was in pain, puffy and not drinking water. She was slowly dying. So I held her upside down just me and her in the garage and let her look at me till she calmed down and relaxed and almost went to sleep. I gently did it and even though there was flapping, she went quickly. Feel upset a bit as she was a lovely ex batt hen who I had since 2019 but I sort of feel ok because I did what was best for her. Phew.....
Good for you Tracey, it’s never something that we enjoy but is all part of the process.
Thank you for this video. It’s something that has been worrying me as we are hoping to start keeping birds for eggs this year and I knew we would need to be prepared for having to dispatch them for a whole host of possible reasons. Your calm video has helped. I think the first time will still be hard - because, as you say in the video, I would be so worried about causing pain and distress. But we are also both meat eaters and want to start to move away from what we feel is a hypocritical position of wanting to eat meat but not acknowledge, or be prepared to do for ourselves, what has to be done in order to have meat on the table. It’s a journey!
So true Emma, that’s definitely the position I was in when I started my journey too.
There’s so much to learn and things to consider but the journey is SOOO rewarding! It’s worth it!
😊👍
Exactly how I feel. We should probably stop naming them and treating them like they are pets right?
I just started doing my own birds and just wanted to say thank you for showing me how to get everything done. I appreciate it very much. Nice job on the video.
I do like this channel. Congratulations for showing the despatch process which many people shy away from. The despatch of the 2 birds was both quick and humane, unlike most of the American videos which show the birds having their throats cut which is inhumane bordering on the barbaric. I have despatched, plucked and dressed well over a thousand birds for xmas over the years, all the plucking being done by hand. This was in the early80`s when wet plucking was still a new idea over here. 15 - 20 minutes per bird (mostly turkeys) and after 3 days you really had a good set of blisters on your fingers. We would have loved wet plucking. The feathers, as you demonstrated, come out so easily and with very little risk of tearing the skin. We used to pluck the birds and then hang them for 2-3 days before dressing (gutting/eviscerating). Also we left the head and feet on until we were ready to dress them. The head cut off just at the break in the neck.. Now, a couple of minus points i`m afraid. Firstly, you cut off the parsons nose !!!!! This is a delicacy, why would you cut it off ? Secondly, the cut in the vent is big enough to drive a bus through, leaving a large portion of the breast with no skin on, making it prone to becoming dry when cooked. However, as you used to skin the bird whole before cooking I `m betting you have found a way round that. Happy new year.
Thanks Chris for your thoughtful comment!! I agree about the cut being too big - I am far from an expert and still very much learning. I am improving all the time!!
I had never heard of the parsons nose as a delicacy- indeed I had to google it!! I will definitely be trying that next time!
Thanks again 😊👍
Parsons nose is the best bit
@@SelfSufficientHub I will be starting my own channel next year when we get some chickens. I will do a video showing how I have learnt to dress a bird. But first it will be vids about building a coop and run, collecting the birds etc. So watch this space. 🐓
@@chrishamilton-wearing3232 will do 😊
I live in Ohio, USA. I've watched videos of the throat slitting and one of my daughter's friends was a farm girl and got great pleasure in hanging the chickens from a clothes line and slitting their throats there. Barbaric indeed! I hope she was behaving the way she was for shock value.
This method is so much better!
This video was very helpful and I appreciated how straightforward and quickly you got to the point. It helped me know how much flapping and after effects to expect. Your additional comments about being nervous and not wanting to cause pain to the animal was spot on. Thank you so much!
This was both educational and surprisingly entertaining by observing your process.
Thank you for your precise information. We have just used the broomstick method on a much-loved rooster🐓I had been nursing him inside and hand-feeding for over 4 months, hoping that he would recover. Today he could barely swallow water and was in obvious respiratory distress. The 'girls' and I will miss you🐓 RIP Big Boy💔
Did you eat him or bury him? 🥺
Fascinating Carl, really makes u wonder how on earth u can possibly buy a whole chicken in the supermarket for £3.50.
Exactly, the standard of life the animals receive is completely incomparable
Hey thank you for making this video. I had to help one of my hens today, I followed your instructions and felt confident enough to do it. Appreciate you
So with this method you don't seem to bleed the bird, how does that effect things? I always read bleeding it out is a must.
I wish he would answer this
Same here.
Great video Carl! I think that's the easiest one I've seen.
As always you sharing your own personal experience and early trepidations defintely strikes a cord. Having never dispatched an animal personally, the necessity to do so has been looming as we acquire more livestock. To be honest the flapping more than anything gave my nerves a jolt. But your calm explanation and visual demonstration led me to believe I will gain confidence through practice. Thanks again for sharing I think we all grew up a little bit on this one...and it was probably about time!
Best, Alex - NetZero Homestead
Your thoughtful comment definitely rings true to me.
The reality is if you are going to have livestock then you are going to have deadstock, all that’s left is the decisions we make….
I like you very straight forward and didn't sugar coat it which i think gives alot of respect for the bird. Just saw on the other guys video he was petting a already dead chicken which was weird.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. It is extremely hard to watch but this is the reality of owning animals, especially birds. 💙
Thank you so much for this video. I have used a restraining cone before to process, but couldn't find any locally and someone recommended cervical dislocation. Yours was the first video that popped up, and I am so thankful. Your kind, calm manner in which you handled your roos instilled confidence. Also first time plucking vs taking the skin off and don't think I will go back!
That’s a wonderful message to read - and the reason I make these videos, thanks so much
Thank you for your informational video. I had to cull my first bird today due to illness, and it was not easy for me emotionally but using the broomstick technique made it very quick. So thank you.
Thanks for this, great tutorial. You didn't bleed out the birds, I've been reading that this is required? I have my first cull tomorrow, this has certainly helped but he bleed out is a question I am still uncertain about!
So helpful! Thanks for the video. You’ve given me the confidence to take care of our backyard rooster.
I am glad you posted your video. I've been raising chickens for about 12 years and I've always used the cones to dispatch my birds. But now I've got a couple rooster that need offing. This video gave me the confidence to make that happen easily! Thanks for posting it! MGF
Hey Carl, Good dispatch and cleaning video - it should be very helpful to many not familiar with this very humane procedure. You did well to advise / teach many of the unknowing viewers what to expect - that is, the involuntary nerve reaction movements post dispatch. Stay well. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2022!
Thanks Bob! You too - happy new year 😊👍
What about bleeding the bird?
My grandmother used to butcher chickens every Sunday. Today, I learned the broomstick method.
Thanks for that Rosamaria 😊
Thank you for this video. It has affirmed the technique(s) we do. We're on our 5th roo cull done for Christmas and each time I am learning. I can say if this video was around prior to our first cull I'd have felt a lot more sure of myself. If you're new to the process follow this step by step and you'll be fine
Thanks Liam 👍😊
Thank you for this detailed video. I wish I had found this technique before we dispatched 5 chickens today. Your method is a quicker kill with less mess for sure.
Thank you so much for this video. It took all the anxiety away and it has answered all my questions about how to deal with the whole process . 👍🐓🐔
Excellent video. You clearly care about your animals and their welfare. Very interesting to watch 👍🏻
Exactly the video I was looking for. The entire process from start to finish. Thanks so much!
At what age do you dispatch your birds?
Great video, thanks! Loved the humane life and killing part :) As a very fresh self sufficiency fan I have two questions. 1. Why didn't you bleed the chicken? Is this not always necessary? 2. Why don't you wear gloves when handling the knife and the carcass? It seems to me like an extra protection against infection, but noticed none of the youtubers wear gloves. Thanks in advance, best wishes S
Brilliant video. Very well done and really straightforward
Thank you for this! I really wish I would have found this video a few days ago. I had to put my hen down and didn't want to use the cone method again so I tried it this way. Well, let me tell ya... I thought to myself, never again. It went terrible and traumatized me to this day. I feel like a horrible person because it didn't go quickly at all and she suffered a little bit. She was a big girl and no one mentioned to use a broom stick when doing this on larger birds, so we used our hands. Never again! I really appreciate this video, you have no idea! I can't go back in time but I have definitely learned a huge lesson when dispatching chickens using the cervical dislocationmethod. The one thing I am always nervous about is them suffering so this was a pretty horrible experience for me. Your way was completely painless and instant which is my goal when we have to put our chickens down. Thank you so much! Your tips will help so many people to do this the right way so they don't have to go through what we did.
Although it's never nice to see a animal die (I do shoot and hunt my self and have slaughtered my own animals in the past). It is always good to see the care and respect given when a animal is processed properly. Merry Christmas Carl and a happy new year for you and yours.
Thanks Laurence 😊
Thank you. That was very calm and gentle. I have my first birds to process next month 😬
Good luck Sam, hope you found this helpful 👍
Well a fox got in so I had to dispatch a hen already. I couldn't do it by hand but managed to with the broom. Thanks again x
@@sdtancock well done Sam! 👏
Like many things it gets easier with practice and confidence 👍
Very informative and reassuring. Thank you for repeating that they don't feel pain - if I was there in person watching them flap, I'd panic and think they were still alive. Thinking of taking a gentle processing class near me sometime. Thank you again for the content!
Where did you get that water bin? What is it called? It looks so handy
Thanks Carl, 😁 great video really useful. Clear and no fuss, your a good teacher. Wishing you and and your family happy new year and best wishes for 2022! 🍾
Thank you 🙏 😊❤️
Do you save the liver, gizzard, and heart? You should make Filipino Chicken Adobo with them. Soy sauce, vinegar, and bay leaf. 🤤👍
Thank you. We needed to dispatch an unruly rooster and we were able to learn the broomstick method from your video.
Thanks for your comment Jolene, I’m so happy you found it helpful 👍😊
Thank you so so much!! This is exactly what I needed. You are an excellent teacher, or I would actually call you a “coach” 😁 I am ready to dress my birds now!
Most helpful video o have found! Thank you
Thank you it gave me confidence to dispatch with minimal pain
Excellent video. thanks for posting.
Why have you not used the feet for stock?
Brilliant. Thanks so much. Taken a lot of worry away!
Thank you. Use to do needed a refresher course. Great information.
Well done, thank you.
Thanks for the video. My only question is w this method the birds don’t get a chance to bleed out. 🤔
Excellent video, thanks
Great demo! I’m trying this method soon on an extra rooster we have. This will be my first time processing a bird. With the way you do things, when do you drain the blood from the birds? Or is that what you do when you’re finding them out? Thanks again!
Thank you for this video 🤩 . Im not too nervous about doing it. 😅 You made it look so easy to do . 🫢 I’m done eating vaccined chickens 😆
Thank you very much.Very practical teaching
Thank you so much! This was so helpful! I might actually process a bird for the first time☺️
Thank you for this. We ended up with a mean rooster so this video was really helpful
Thank you for this video! I noticed that there seemed to be no particular time spent bleeding the birds during processing- did I miss this step, or is it not actually necessary?
How old where the birds when you killed them? I've 4 cockerels who are 16 weeks old now, haven't been able to rehome them so will need to dispatch them. thanks
Thank you for a very helpful video. I have a question, do you not have to bleed out the bird? Also, when you cleaned him, did you also get out the organs in one bang- heart, lungs, kidneys etc? I remember as a kid there was a lot more fussing? But thank you, I think I can actually do this now (2 cockerels right now in my coop!)
So is it not necessary for them to bleed out? Does it alter the taste of the meat ?
THIS! I want to know
Thank you for the informative video.
Thank you this film was so clear! And has put my mind to rest. I had to deal with 9 cockerel this summer. With my mum we did the broom handle methed. We felt we pull to hard! It makes sence now, that is not a problem! Down side was they were skin and bone!! ( had to go due to fighting)
How old are your cockerel at time of dispatching
Could you do a film on rearing for meat? As I struggle getting the waight on them
These guys were around 10 months old, we have really low fees costs usually due to lots of reasons, free ranging- feeding waste products etc so we really don’t worry too much about that.
I will definitely do a video covering how we raise our meat birds at some point this year though, good idea, thanks 😊👍
@@SelfSufficientHub great look out for that! Think ours birds were too young
Well done
Ive had some pretty small roosters and i cut them up the backbone
I learned this after trying to clean out a tiny cavaty lol
I cleaned quail this way then thought hey this be perfect for tiny roos too
We use the broomstick and usually bleed them out too
We got the water temperature right and plucking becomes easy
Hubby plucks i clean and he digs the hole teamwork
Sounds pretty slick 😊👍
When you say broomstick plus bleed, I wonder if you just pull hard enough to remove the head? This strikes me as most efficient way?
@@SelfSufficientHub kinda but try not to all the way
It's a hard thing to get used to
I usually do it because hubby's too strong
We do rabbits the same way but they don't bleed out and leave a bruise on the neck... I find it better then hitting them on the head
We can't s.. ọt In town limits so there's only so many ways
It's not a good subject the only bad day on the farm
And I do believe if you eat meat you should do it at least once in your life
Raising my food with love the best I can is worth it to me
Thanks so much for your time
Thank you, best explanation in how to do this. I have a sick girl who was attacked and sharpened a knife but couldn't do it.
You’re very welcome and I’m glad to have been helpful 👍
Thank you very much. This method is perfect!
So I just did my first chicken using this method. Is it normal for it to not flap at all? Her eyes slowly closed and her body relaxed completely after about 15 seconds I want to say.
So, what do you do with the waste products? Bury them on the farm? Sell to dog food manufacturers? etc...
Why do they flap after you have dispatched them?
The nervous system through the body is still firing. Doesn't mean the chicken is alive though. After a minute like he said it will stop.
Are there any tell tell signs that you’ve done it incorrectly other than doing it too hard and completely detaching the head from the body? The first time I did this was a few weeks ago. It did flap around for a little bit, but it looked like the lungs were still sorta working. It almost looked it was still trying to breathe for another few minutes. Not sure if that’s normal or not.
That's really helpful, thanks. If I want to butcher the bird for breasts, thigh, legs etc., and then freeze for later, would you recommend doing that immediately or after rigor mortis has passed?
When you cut it into breasts and thighs wouldn't matter but you have to refrigerate it for a day or so before freezing so they don't get mushy after thawing back out.
Great video. What about blood? Do you find more blood in the meat compared to a throat cut method?
Honestly I have never seen a difference, maybe a little more in the bag when defrosting. 😊👍
@@SelfSufficientHub thanks! Gonna try this with our next round of meat birds
Thank you so much for such a brilliant and easy to understand video. Can I ask why you are using Brahmas as your meat birds? I’ve bred them for many years (for eggs/pullets/sale) but have always considered the males mainly leg meat (rather than breast) so have dispatched and discarded. I may have to have a rethink now! 😄 Feeling much more confident about trying it myself now though. I’ll definitely use your method on the Poulet Bresse though rather than send to butcher. Many thanks!
Easy to follow and thank you.
I felt so disturbed watching this but I wish I knew it sooner. I know I don't have the heart to do this to my birds but I certainly would have when my chick(who just died on my lap after 3 days of suffering from arrhythmia due to a mistake we made by letting our ferrets out and letting it get one by accident. We truly got into the cage as fast as we could.)suffered for so long. I cried for hours bc I felt so terrible. Even though their just livestock I don't want them to suffer, yk? Thank you for the video❤
Really good. Man, you rock!
Thank you sir 😊👍
Thank you for this video 🤩 . Im not too nervous about doing it. 😅
Thank you. I have a bird that somehow has a double split in its bottom beak.😢
very well introduced
Don't u have to bleed it out?
Great information, thank you!
I tried the broomstick method on a large Muscovy drake about 6 years ago and it worked amazingly well.
I have 3-4 more drakes I am considering butchering, if I do I'm using the same method and want to make sure I do it right since it's been a while.
It seems to be the most human method in my opinion. I like my ducks but I purposely don't name the ones I know I can't keep long term. The drake I had to kill was fighting very bad with his brother, they were fighting for territory and breeding rights, like what wild animals do. Right now I have a Muscovy drake who likes to rape other drakes as a way to gain and keep dominance over them, it has nothing to do with simply wanting to breed, he has several females of his own. This nasty drake has killed 3 of my keeper drakes this year so he will be the first to go. I could just sell them but the way I see it if I don't butcher them someone else will and they probably wouldn't be as humane as me since they are my birds and hatched here. Butchering is not fun at all, but sometimes it is very necessary. There is nothing "barbaric" about it when done correctly.
The second chicken, you can definitely see in his eyes that it was an instant death. Chicken's eyes were clearly moving around before death, and they were dead still after. I never liked the idea of slitting a chicken's throat. Any hesitation, they will feel. This is way easier, and also a pretty humane death. I plan on hatching out some silkie eggs, and I will cull the roosters this way.
I was expecting blood drainage too, where's the blood gone?
I have done a fair amount of slaughtering and butchering including bigger animals like pigs and have never worried about draining blood. I do get some more blood in the bags when I defrost but other than that I haven’t noticed any difference.
Sorry that probably doesn’t answer your question really but it’s all I know. 😊
@@SelfSufficientHub thank you
@@SelfSufficientHub
I wish I listened to you and not to some other guy saying the broomstick method is questionable. I tried to dislocate the head by hand and it wasn't easy and I had to retry using the broomstick which was much easier. I feel bad that I caused some unnecessary suffering to the bird as it started to vomit from its nostril ☹️☹️☹️ Next time I'll go to the broomstick directly.
@@juggergabro don’t be too hard on yourself, we are all still learning. Intention is important and it’s not always easy to know the good information from the bad as we no longer live in communities where it is just passed on. We have to start from scratch and go seeking it.
You have learned a lot I’m sure and will be well equipped next time. ☺️
Thank You for this video -it made it eaiser to do
Thanks for helping 👍
Thank you so much for this! Worked brilliantly ❤
Thanks. A great help!
Wow mate. What a journey. I really appreciate this video. This is something that does scare me. The process seems simple now, thanks for that. It's confronting, but I eat meat and I definitely want to be able to slaughter my own animals knowing they've had a good life. I have a couple of questions. I have 6 birds, Isa Browns and Leghorns. They're about a year old. It would make sense to me that when they stop producing as many eggs to reuse them as meat. Would this work? I've heard that would taste different from supermarket chicken. Which leads into my next question. Given that it likely tastes different from supermarket chicken, what meal would you have chicken in if you're eating for the first time, given that it's homegrown and I have a hesitant partner.
Also, I could probably get my hands on a rooster. However, some people are giving away roosters but they don't want them dispatched. I don't know how to deal with this, given I can't breed birds myself or have a rooster. Are silkies good for eating?
I know it's a lot, I'm sorry, I just want to be accountable for my meat eating
Sorry mate, few more questions. I'm wondering at what age would you harvest the birds? Both hen and cock? Also, when do the cockerels start becoming an issue for neighbours with their crowing?
Ok - there’s allot there so please remind me if I missed anything…
We would harvest as soon as they are fully grown in an ideal world. Just like all meat it is slightly better at a younger age- think lamb and mutton.
That said any mature bird can be butchered. If you are processing older birds, such as ex egg layers then I think it’s all about preparation. They will never be as tender as younger broilers, so an ex egg layer we would only ever slow cook in a liquid for several hours on a low heat (slow cooker works great), this will deliver a meat that falls off the bone and is beautifully tender and full of flavour, but really best suited to using in sauces and stews, kinda like pulled meat…
I’m not sure what you could do with free roosters that people didn’t want dispatched- that’s a personal moral question I think.
Cockerels/roosters can start crowing at a few months old dependant on breed.
Let me know if I missed anything 👍
@@SelfSufficientHub you've started off some chicken maths mate lol
@@shannonward4393 🤣
Thank you , that is big help ! 😀
Very welcome Wayne- glad you found it helpful
Thanks Carl. Respect.
Thanks Hawkmoon 😊👍
Thanks so much!
I’m such a coward 😩😢 so I will have my husband do it. One if my kid’s want to help, but this is a little traumatizing. I don’t want my kid crying over their rooster everyday, it would kill me. I honestly don’t know what age is most appropriate to learn this life skill. Any tips?
Don't you eat any of the organs?
It all depends, on this occasion I had 12 birds to process and a ton of meat already in the freezers so no, but other times I will.
@@SelfSufficientHub in teaching processing who should show whole procedure. Gizzards need to be cut open and liner removed.
@@pauldmckee in time I will get to everything, alas Rome wasn’t built in a day 😊
@@SelfSufficientHub true but Jesus did bring it down.
Thank you for the vid! I just killed my first chicken 😭. My husband is away (he always does it) and one of my chickens got sick. I didnt know how hard to pull though and i did too much, if you know what I mean. Im still shaking
Yes I know what you mean.
Don’t worry though, you have done everything correctly for the animal, and pulling too hard isn’t a problem in terms of welfare. 👍
Thanks just did my first one an hour ago after watching this and another video. Forgot how to drain the blood though, next time!
I saw a bird get hit by a car and had to dispatch it quickly. Thank you for the helpfull video
❤
because birds are still does not mean they are not incredibly stressed. Holding them upside down is stressful, every bird knows this is the worst possible position to be in. You shouldn't comfort yourself thinking they are calm and prolong this, they cannot breathe properly (as you can see, he is gasping) and can go into cardiac arrest from the increase in heart rate from the weight of their displaced internal organs. The "calmness" you are seeing is a type of tonic clonic shock which causes harm the longer it takes place. This info is from several poultry vets and also a humane slaughter society. Cervical dislocation devices are available or easily made where the bird is kept upright.
cut two veins in poultry with a very sharp knife, allowing the heart to keep beating to eject blood, while emptying the brain from oxygen, I think it's more humane, less pain, quicker to die. invisible blood doesn't mean better. blood drains faster, better than blood not having a chance to be pumped out
Thank you so much for this video. We had to euthanize our hen and I was able to do it thanks to you. I really appreciate it, I cannot overstate my gratitude!