are poultry dispatchers worth the money?

**RichmondHens** · 08-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Dispatch is one of those things that comes with practice. The dispatcher "gadgets" are not supposed to be particularly humane, they apparently work by crushing the vertebrae rather than separating them, which is what happens when you break a neck by hand, and are frowned upon by a lot of experienced poultry keepers (there was an article about them in ? PP or one of the smallholding mags, can't remember now). We have never used one - my husband does all the dispatching here and was taught by my dad years ago.

If you are not going to be doing a lot of dispatching over the course of a year and find it difficult, it might be worth asking around your area to see if anyone is a) either prepared to do it for you or b) give you a few lessons.

One of my chicken "jobs" as a child was to be the catcher - ie when we had a culling session I had to go into the shed where the birds were shut up in preparation and pick them out (usually the unwanted cocks) ready for my dad and brother to dispatch.

Like dispatch, gutting a bird takes practice. I think Hugh FW runs through the process in his River Cottage Meat Book but I'm not sure in how much detail. Again it may be worth asking someone experienced to show you - if no friends can help how about the local butcher?

**Scottishnewbie** · 09-08-2010, 09:45 AM

thanks RH, i kind of thought the gadget might not be worth the money, so that's useful.

He did manage it well enough and we had the chicken for tea (yummy), i think it is going to be one of those things where he just had to keep doing it and a) he will get better/quicker and b) it will get easier....maybe?

the proof of the pudding will be when i ask him if he wants to get some more table birds!!!

**OverWyreGrower** · 09-08-2010, 09:47 AM

Re the gutting - depends what you want the chicken for!

We rarely do a traditional 'roast', so often just skin the bird (no plucking) and joint it up without gutting it 'properly'.... much quicker!

**Suechooks** · 09-08-2010, 09:57 AM

I have a hand held dispatcher. I know there is dispute about them but in an emergency I felt it was the better option than a bungled hand dispatch which could be the alternative. I have dispatched many years ago but feel now that I don't have the strength in my hands to do a quick and accurate job. I was advised by 2 very experienced poultry keepers (both female, one of whom does her own culling) that this was the better option and having had to dispatch in an emergency I agree - would normally use vet but couldn't get an appointment till next day. My OH could never do the job and my neighbour who does any dispatching for me is not always instantly available. The one I did have to do saved any suffering and the bird was calm as it was used to me handling it so no panic. I hated it but feel it's my responsibility to be able to do this if I have to, and a dispatcher is my only option.

**Glutton4...** · 09-08-2010, 10:24 AM

Useful thread!

My Husband does any of mine that need 'dispatching' and says that I wouldn't be strong enough in the hand. He read extensively how to do it properly, on the internet, prior to doing the first one. But I always wondered how to do it if there was an emergency and I was on my own.

My Dad solved the problem. He has a weighted length of horn on a string. I don't know if it has a proper name, but him and all his shooting mates call it a 'dispatcher.' You hold the bird's wings together, behind its back, and when it has relaxed, you whack it sharply on the head with the tool. It is VERY quick.

Having seen both methods performed, I now know for certain which I shall choose if I ever have to do it. My Husband now favours the 'Dispatcher' too.

**RichmondHens** · 09-08-2010, 11:02 AM

That's interesting Sue - I've never used one or known anyone who has one so it's good to hear your views.

G4 - Like you I don't think I'm strong enough to do the big boys - I tried myself with a pheasant once and ended up just strangling it and that has put me off ever since.

**petal** · 09-08-2010, 04:15 PM

The huge cockerels that we dispatch get their head put under a broom pole between your feet, then you yank legs and body carefully until you hear neck break. Job done.

**OverWyreGrower** · 09-08-2010, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by petal View Post

The huge cockerels that we dispatch get their head put under a broom pole between your feet, then you yank legs and body carefully until you hear neck break. Job done.

This is how we do it... made a bit of a hash with the first, but the rest were much easier after. It also means that I can do them on my own if I need to, as you don't need as much strength as just doing it with your hands.

**RichmondHens** · 09-08-2010, 04:39 PM

We did an older boy (retired stud) by the broomstick method earlier in the year as he had a really strong neck. However, I didn't like the look of the method (having to put the bird's head on the floor etc), although it seemed as quick as doing by hand. When we do it by hand they get a cuddle and a stroke, relax, and then ...crack .... they hardly know about it.

**Snadger** · 09-08-2010, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post

Useful thread!

My Husband does any of mine that need 'dispatching' and says that I wouldn't be strong enough in the hand. He read extensively how to do it properly, on the internet, prior to doing the first one. But I always wondered how to do it if there was an emergency and I was on my own.

My Dad solved the problem. He has a weighted length of horn on a string. I don't know if it has a proper name, but him and all his shooting mates call it a 'dispatcher.' You hold the bird's wings together, behind its back, and when it has relaxed, you whack it sharply on the head with the tool. It is VERY quick.

Having seen both methods performed, I now know for certain which I shall choose if I ever have to do it. My Husband now favours the 'Dispatcher' too.

The lead weighted horn on a string is called a 'Priest'. So called because it administers the last rite's on a fish!

Never heard of them being used for anything but a fish mind you.
The last mercy killing I had to do on a chook to put her out of her misery was with the broomshank over the neck method.
Having 'necked' a few other cockerels which had stronger necks the older they got, I think I will now use the broomstick method each time.
I have a weeks holiday at the end of the month when my young cockerels will become barbie fodder. That will still leave me with three different pure bread cockerels which I hatched myself and will hopefully be allowed to see there life out!

**Polly Fouracre** · 09-08-2010, 07:43 PM

I have a hand held electric stunner. You put the electrodes either side of the chickens head and it delivers an electric shock that renders the bird deeply unconcious, you then sever the artery in the neck which kills it.
We chose this as I no longer have enough strength in my hands to wring a chicken's neck and we found the sharpened cleaver, albeit quick, a bit brutal.
These stunners are not cheap(mine cost �170) but it will pay for itself as I can do other folks birds as well as my own.

**Glutton4...** · 09-08-2010, 08:32 PM

Thanks Unca Snadge - it is a 'Priest' - I goggled it, and you're right. Having seen it work, in the hands of two different guys; my Dad who's used it many times, and my Husband, once, I actually feel confident that I could, and would, use it if the need arose.

**RichmondHens** · 10-08-2010, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by Polly Fouracre View Post

I have a hand held electric stunner. You put the electrodes either side of the chickens head and it delivers an electric shock that renders the bird deeply unconcious, you then sever the artery in the neck which kills it.
We chose this as I no longer have enough strength in my hands to wring a chicken's neck and we found the sharpened cleaver, albeit quick, a bit brutal.
These stunners are not cheap(mine cost �170) but it will pay for itself as I can do other folks birds as well as my own.

This is the method used by professional poultry houses. Do you put the chicken in a cone or just hang it up?

Also good you can offer your services to others.

**Polly Fouracre** · 10-08-2010, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by RichmondHens View Post

This is the method used by professional poultry houses. Do you put the chicken in a cone or just hang it up?

Also good you can offer your services to others.

Either I or my nephew holds the bird(murmering sweet nothings to keep it calm) whilst the other one does the job.
I do a live bird to oven ready service or just the dispatching.

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