Kill methods?

[Rustina]

I had previously never heard of a rabbit wringer (hope that's right ). I was wondering what methods most people use to kill their rabbits for butchering. Does anyone mind sharing?
Having grown up on a farm my father and grandfather taught me a good sharp bob on the head and quick head removal was the kindest way, does anyone else use this practice? :hmm: :-|

 

[caroline]

I use cervical dislocation [broomstick method] and the quick head removal.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

We shoot them with a pellet gun, and cut their heads off.

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

i do not have rabbits yet but when i do i will be trying the broomstick method and the rabbit wringer.

 

[currituckbun]

Wringer and fast head removal.

 

[akane]

I found lifting heavy rabbits when I wanted to butcher an adult in to the rabbit wringer to be difficult. Along with needing a mounting location which I no longer have. I just use a pellet rifle. Set rabbit in an open top, open bottom pen, point between the ears, and pop. The rabbit is dead instantly and it never knew anything was going on except for that yummy grass it found. Most of them will even flatten in place calmly if you push a rifle against their heads. They do kick for awhile (they are dead the nerves just keep firing when cut off from the brain) and blood comes from the hole, ears, nose, mouth.... so it's a little messy but I just flip one out of the pen to bleed on the grass nearby, shoot the next, and by then the first is done flopping so I can cut the head off and hang it for skinning. I only have problems with the biggest ones not bleeding out that way and if you put them in saltwater it will draw the blood out of the meat.

 

[Jana15]

We use a pellet gun. Instant light out. Pellet guns are much quieter than other guns, and gets the job done quickly and humanely. And the pellets costs less than other bullets.

 

[Hymay]

do the pellets pass through the head, or get stuck? I like the idea of an instant brain scramble, but I plan on feeding the heads and other "waste" to my dogs. Certainly don't want to give them a dose of lead.

 

[kotapony]

We do the bob on the head, then hold upside down for about a minute till the kicking stops and the blood drains. We don't immediately remove the head after that.

 

[akane]

Depends on the size of the rabbit and how you shoot. I've found bullets in necks and jaws when removing the head. I wondered why you shoot a rabbit from behind when all info on putting down an animal is from the front and then I realized if you shoot from in front the bullet goes through the whole body and lodges somewhere.

 

[DanaYares]

I really like my Wringer... Fast and fool proof. I can do it myself without my husband.

 

[skysthelimit]

I string them up like the chickens, there's a noose hanging in the barn, feet tied, and bang them in the head. I'm thinking of making a wringer board, but I'm more comfortable with strangulation than neck breaking so far.

 

[akane]

A failed neck break is strangulation which is a very poor way to die. I doubt many find strangulation to be humane death given other options. It could take minutes of panicking to strangle to death. One reason the guillotine became popular. Failed hangings that didn't snap the neck weren't very quick. Although if you hate your enemy enough that's not always a bad thing and a rope is easier to find. Not that I absolutely wouldn't use it just like it's not that I absolutely wouldn't use gas chambers but only failing better options of which rabbits over a few weeks have plenty. I've considered those last 2 for rodents where guns and cervical dislocation are difficult and I can't imagine my poor knife skills combined with wiggly rodents turning out well for chopping of heads. I'm trying the electric traps first since 3 seconds to die by electrocution is still faster than by strangulation but I did pick up a device that snaps a band around a rodents neck when it investigates and strangles for if other methods fail. Last resort since it's the slowest and least humane.

 

[Miss M]

We use a pellet rifle. Rabbit goes into a plastic milk crate loaded with yummy greens and starts munching, never knows what hit it. Aim at the base of the skull behind and between the ears, toward the jaw.

We pump the gun 5-6 times since we're firing point-blank, instead of 10 times. I've never seen the pellet after it goes into the rabbit, but I've never gone looking around in the head for it, either. There are a few of us on the board who use a pellet gun.

Your father's and grandfather's method, which we call "bopping" here, is used by a number of people on this board. As long as you have good aim and deliver a good blow, it is a very humane way of going about it. I have terrible aim, so I don't dare.

Cervical dislocation, done with a Rabbit Wringer by some, broomstick or rebar by others, and notched wood or even an old crutch by still others, is also a humane way of dispatching rabbits. There are quite a few on here who use this method.

 

[MaggieJ]

I string them up like the chickens, there's a noose hanging in the barn, feet tied, and bang them in the head. I'm thinking of making a wringer board, but I'm more comfortable with strangulation than neck breaking so far.

I am confused by your post, Sky. If you're bopping them on the head, you are not using strangulation, so I don't understand why you are bringing it up in your last sentence.

 

[skysthelimit]

A failed neck break is strangulation which is a very poor way to die. I doubt many find strangulation to be humane death given other options. It could take minutes of panicking to strangle to death. One reason the guillotine became popular. Failed hangings that didn't snap the neck weren't very quick. Although if you hate your enemy enough that's not always a bad thing and a rope is easier to find. Not that I absolutely wouldn't use it just like it's not that I absolutely wouldn't use gas chambers but only failing better options of which rabbits over a few weeks have plenty. I've considered those last 2 for rodents where guns and cervical dislocation are difficult and I can't imagine my poor knife skills combined with wiggly rodents turning out well for chopping of heads. I'm trying the electric traps first since 3 seconds to die by electrocution is still faster than by strangulation but I did pick up a device that snaps a band around a rodents neck when it investigates and strangles for if other methods fail. Last resort since it's the slowest and least humane.

Sorry I didn't mean strangulation I meant stringing up. They are strung upside down and bobbed on the head. I should definitely not try to talk and watch the news at the same time. I do strangle the chickens, but I help them along by pulling on the rope to break the neck. I might learn how to cut the throat, but I want to keep it as bloodless as possible.<br /><br />__________ Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:28 pm __________<br /><br />

I string them up like the chickens, there's a noose hanging in the barn, feet tied, and bang them in the head. I'm thinking of making a wringer board, but I'm more comfortable with strangulation than neck breaking so far.

I am confused by your post, Sky. If you're bopping them on the head, you are not using strangulation, so I don't understand why you are bringing it up in your last sentence.

Sorry. Watching the 10 oclock news at night when I should have been in bed. I'm really good with a 2x4, old softball player.