When we started breeding chicken we knew we would be killing birds, either sick, those grown for meat, or surplus young males. We read the books and catalogues. The books favoured the classic method of the sharp twist and pull which breaks the neck. The catalogues offered killing pliers which were supposed to be quick and easy by separating two vertebrae. We also asked around and asked the local smallholders association. Other suggestions were to stick a knife down the throat or just use an axe.
I tried the classic method – get your hand just behind the head in a particular way – a quick twist and jerk. Total failure – maybe Croad necks are extra strong.
Bought the pliers. Ended up with the cockerels hanging upside down and yelling loudly that someone had tried to throttle them with a pair of pliers. The tool bent before the Croad necks gave.
So it may be helpful for newcomers to breeding to tell you how to do it quickly and easily. All you need is a length of pipe, about 1 inch diameter and about 2 feet long , preferably iron which is slightly easier than half a broomstick because of the extra weight.
Pick your bird off the perch, gently, when asleep. Turn him upside down, holding the two legs in one hand, and rest only the head on the ground. Chickens inverted go into a sort of trance with an occasional burst of objection. Put the pipe over the neck as close to the head as possible. Foot on either end of the pipe. Hold the legs in both hands and give a controlled pull. Controlled because you need to stop as soon as you feel the spine break, otherwise it gets messy. You can tell whether you have succeeded because the bird will start to flap its wings wildly. Just hang on until that stops. It takes a surprisingly long time but be assured that once the vertebrae are separated the bird is dead.
The other unpleasant job we have to do is dealing with lice. That can wait until I have a picture
It has proved impossible to get a decent picture of a chicken's bottom, so we will do without. Wild birds have lice so your birds are likely to get them too. If their backsides look mucky it is quite time to have a look but better to do it regularly. Prepare with a flea powder and a flea spray. We use ones sold for cats. Also a sharp pair of scissors. In the dark pick your bird gently off the perch (it always pays to keep chicken as calm as possible). Remove to the light and turn upside down. Lice eggs are pretty obvious - a cluster of white or grey things at the base of the feathers that shouldn't be there, usually between the vent and the legs. We just cut away all the affected feathers, then dust the bird's backside, spray under the wings and return to the perch. And a right funny sight some of them look next day.
Finally go back to the house, strip and put your clothes straight in the washing machine.
And of course don't forget to change the litter in the nest boxes and give them a dusting with louse powder.
