ramblingrabbit
Well-known member
So I've gradually developed a method for slaughtering that seems a bit different from most of the descriptions and videos ive seen, so i thought id do a quick outline in case somebody finds it, or just part of it, helpful or interesting. id like to publish a little video at some point, but so far, inspiration, time, and technical capabilities have not coincided favorably...
i find it interesting to go and compare notes occasionally with others--you never know when or where you might learn a new trick.
you could call it the "game of thrones" method--in that series theres a scene where someone skins a wild rabbit the same way, which is actually the first time i saw it done like that. but it actually works great--unless you want to save the pelts, that is!
one nice thing is that all i use is a large cutting board, a small knife, a cleaver or shears, a couple banana leaves to bundle up the offal for composting, and something like a rolling pin or small club for killing.
- i kill with a sharp, firm, direct blow to top/back of the head, using a short heavy stick or similar. one source i read suggests using your hand, but im not that kung fu! the rabbit can be sitting on a flat surface, or held by the feet (they dont much like being held by the feet, but i feel like it makes the blow more sure by allowing for solid follow-through). i make sure to calm it as much as possible first, obviously.
- i dont slit the throat to bleed out. i find they usually bleed out through the nose, ears, and/or mouth with a proper blow (or occasionally inside the neck skin if neck is broken) and havent had any problems. i just hold upside down until spasms and bleeding cease, then...
- i point the rear away and massage the belly to express the bladder. i notice a lot of people dont mention this step, but i find it quite easy and worth doing to avoid unsavory accidents.
- i skin by making a small slit across the middle of the back, then inserting the fingers of both hands and pulling toward each end. the skin comes right off this way in a couple if seconds. i sever the head and all four paws to complete.
- i lay the carcass flat on the cutting board to gut, but otherwise pretty much do the evisceration as most people do.
i find this process quick and very simple. its also humane of course. and it requires no specialized equipment and a minimum of equipment in general (meaning easier clean up for me), which is ideal for doing just a few rabbits at a time or on an as needed basis, anytime, anywhere. or when you just want to get a rabbit into the pot with a minimum of fuss.
i find it interesting to go and compare notes occasionally with others--you never know when or where you might learn a new trick.
you could call it the "game of thrones" method--in that series theres a scene where someone skins a wild rabbit the same way, which is actually the first time i saw it done like that. but it actually works great--unless you want to save the pelts, that is!
one nice thing is that all i use is a large cutting board, a small knife, a cleaver or shears, a couple banana leaves to bundle up the offal for composting, and something like a rolling pin or small club for killing.
- i kill with a sharp, firm, direct blow to top/back of the head, using a short heavy stick or similar. one source i read suggests using your hand, but im not that kung fu! the rabbit can be sitting on a flat surface, or held by the feet (they dont much like being held by the feet, but i feel like it makes the blow more sure by allowing for solid follow-through). i make sure to calm it as much as possible first, obviously.
- i dont slit the throat to bleed out. i find they usually bleed out through the nose, ears, and/or mouth with a proper blow (or occasionally inside the neck skin if neck is broken) and havent had any problems. i just hold upside down until spasms and bleeding cease, then...
- i point the rear away and massage the belly to express the bladder. i notice a lot of people dont mention this step, but i find it quite easy and worth doing to avoid unsavory accidents.
- i skin by making a small slit across the middle of the back, then inserting the fingers of both hands and pulling toward each end. the skin comes right off this way in a couple if seconds. i sever the head and all four paws to complete.
- i lay the carcass flat on the cutting board to gut, but otherwise pretty much do the evisceration as most people do.
i find this process quick and very simple. its also humane of course. and it requires no specialized equipment and a minimum of equipment in general (meaning easier clean up for me), which is ideal for doing just a few rabbits at a time or on an as needed basis, anytime, anywhere. or when you just want to get a rabbit into the pot with a minimum of fuss.