[Cabbie37]

Apologies for the subject - I know it upsets some...  After a slightly 'cockerel dominated' hatch this summer, I have 2 or 3 Cuckoo Maran cockerels of about 24 weeks to deal with. From searches in the forum, I reckon the right approach will be cull, leave to hang 2 or 3 hours for the blood to drain into the neck (should I pierce through the roof of the mouth to let it drain?) Pluck, then leave to hang for another 24 hours until cold before gutting. Does that sound about right?  cheers - Cabbie...

[GrannieAnnie]

My Brian only leaves them to bleed for 3 minutes or so, but he cuts the throat.  Once drained, he puts a small plastic bag over the head and ties it above the cut so if there is any more bleeding, it doesn't go all over the floor.

Plucking while still warm is best as the feather follicals are more open.

[Cabbie37]

Thanks Grannie.. good tips.

[John]

Alison Wilson runs specific courses on this you may find helpful - Chicken Keeping Course Hampshire - I know she runs them in different locations.

I attended the course myself and it was very professionally executed (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)

[Cabbie37]

That's a particularly useful link - thanks. Although I have culled cockerels before in the past, one can always learn, so I shall follow this up..