Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A killing cone. They don't need to be this elaborate.
Usually, you should not carry a bird by its feet due to the
potential for spinal damage, but for purposes of slaughter it is
acceptable if done gently. Catch the bird by its feet and
immediately hold it upside down. Swing it a little on its way
to the killing cone, and it should settle down. Provide support
for its back while carrying if needed. Then insert it head down
in the killing cone.
The proper way to slaughter a bird, except for farmers whose
religions specify another method, is to cut off the bird's head
while the bird is either hanging from its feet or inserted
upside down in a funnel-type device called a “killing cone.”
Use a good, sharp, strong knife for this. Put a leather glove on
your weak hand, and grab the bird's head, holding its beak
closed. Then, take the knife and cut off the head in one
smooth motion. Once the head has been removed, any
squawks or twitches observed thereafter are a result of
pattern-generating neurons in the spinal cord and not
conscious volition. I checked with my local veterinarian on
this, and he assured me that cutting off the chicken's head is
