Neck breaking

(cervical dislocation) by broomstick

Benefits: it can be done quickly; only a wooden broomstick (or long, strong, straight stick or pole) is necessary; better used on larger birds/breeds and older birds.

Drawbacks: it requires some confidence and skill; nerve tremors afterwards; you may need some help to position the bird and/or pole. Dislocation using your hands is more difficult if a bird is bigger, and it also depends on the size of your hands and your actual pulling power.

This method achieves the same result as Method 1 by detaching the head from the neck, causing an instant lack of consciousness. You will need a stiff, strong stick, pole or bar about the thickness of a wooden broom handle. 1. Hold the bird by its legs using your left hand. 2. Lay the bird on the floor on its breast, head facing away from you, beak-side down.

3. Place the pole over the bird’s neck, close to the skull. As soon as you are ready to pull, place a foot either side of the head to pin the bird to the ground and pull directly firmly and steadily upwards until the neck is dislocated. Again, feel for the gap between skull and end of the neck, to ensure it is broken. As with Method 1, the bird will spasm and flap violently but it will be unconscious. Place in a bucket or sack until the spasms have stopped and death has occurred.