Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1912 — POULTRY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULTRY

MANNER OF STICKING FOWLS Common Pocket-Knife, With Medlum-i Sized Blade, Makes Excellent Instrument for Operation. When the market calls for a bird* to be bled, the best plan is to stlcK it in the mouth; and by so doing avoid the unsightliness so common where they are hacked about the throat. Using this method, one should first of all have a stout cord

fastened to the ceiling, with pound weight attached to th© lower; end. This should be just high enougli* to hang the bird to be picked at al convenient height. The weight la used to save tying a knot each tlme,*l as all that is necessary Is to wind! the string around the bird’s legs, andl ■the weight will hold It securely. Usa a box or barrel to catch the feathers p and a tfrnall paint-can, with a hook; fastened to the handle, Is hooked Into the bird’s mouth to catch tha blood and prevent its soiling tha feathers. It requires very little prac; tice to kill the birds in this manner. After the bird is hanged by the legs; cross the wings at the back and grasp the head In the left hand, tha back of the head In the palm; andi with the end of the second finger; hold the mouth Onen; then, with the knife in the righFnand, make a diagonal cut across the rbof of th© mouth; just where the arteries enter tha head. Then, with the point of tha blade, pierce the brain In about tha middle of the roof of the mouth, which will loosen the feathers. Tha moment the operation Is finished, tha bird should be plucked, as the cooling of the body makes the feathers harder to pick. A common pocketknife, with a medium-sized blade 1 ; makes a good instrument for sticking.

Where to Stick a Bird.