1st time slaughtering a sheep ram

[Baymule]

So proud of you! Y'all did it and now have meat in the freezer. Way to go.

 

[wolf]

Nice description of a not always nice job....emotionally. Glad you brought out the super sharp knife and carotid info, as that is the key to a fast and humane end.

You know when you cut yourself shaving and don't feel it till you see the blood? Sometmes several minutes? Same idea on keepng killing knife super sharp. Main arteries bleed out quick if not staunched. This is cause the heart is pumping the juice OUT. Lotsa folks mistake jugular VEIN against the windpipe as the vessel to cut, but that's draining the blood AWAY from the brain, not sending it up. When you can hear the blood rushing past your ears, that's the carotid artery. If that's cut good, the blood pours out quick enough to drop the blood-pressure and cause unconsiousness - like a wrestler in a head-lock (that's temporary cut-off, not incised permanently). Look up sheep or goat anatomy Images online to find vascular system - that long muscle from under ear to shoulder that turns the head to look sideways has carotid running under it - the spot just under the ear is easiest to find. You want to compartmentalize your emotions, breathe deep, and you want to make ONE deep quick slice in that spot - the self-prep is to steady your hand. If you're upset or hands shake - you'll ruin the cut, have to do two or three, and only cause unneeded pain - so don't whimp - be strong and sure. Cut doesn't need to be long - one's I've done are no more than an inch long - but gotta be deep enough to get the artery under the muscle... imagine slicing a steak.
The tied off ram, and looping the rear foot to stretch the animal out till it's easy to get onto the shoulder, unlike cows sheep often quit fighting once pinned - but watch cowboys workng as a team to stretch out a cow - one loops the head, the other the foot, and pulling opposite puts the steer on the ground. Some still manage to stand, but it's easy to push them over once stretched. I just try to aim to get him on a raised pallet so I can shove the blood-bucket under his head. BTW - I'm older and work alone. Rams can fight me off, and I had to THINK on how to solve this puzzle... meat in my freezer without help.

 

[Mini Horses]

Yeah, I'm old too -- so it's good to teach the youngsters.

As to sharp, I keep a supply of razor blades for any cuts. I've had to lance or trim up cuts, etc. Have cut myself a few times and don't feel it until the blood runs. Important to be calm & quick. For the cut you use. A little longer blade works better than a razor, needs to be as sharp!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Cut doesn't need to be long - one's I've done are no more than an inch long - but gotta be deep enough to get the artery under the muscle... imagine slicing a steak.

I am another one who appreciates your precise instructions.

Some think they need to cut ear to ear. I've seen a random video that was posted somewhere that appeared that the windpipe might have been cut and that's totally unnecessary. No way to have a calm, quiet death when the animal is fighting for breath. I've processed enough animals to know the difference between a good death and a bad one. Thanks again and I hope folks who don't stun or shoot will follow your advice.

 

[wolf]

Yeah, I'm old too -- so it's good to teach the youngsters.

As to sharp, I keep a supply of razor blades for any cuts. I've had to lance or trim up cuts, etc. Have cut myself a few times and don't feel it until the blood runs. Important to be calm & quick. For the cut you use. A little longer blade works better than a razor, needs to be as sharp!

Yes. NOT a razorblade... a KNIFE that's been sharpened to a razor-keen edge! Gotta get good with the sharpening! I have a double sided whetstone and a diamond-grit sharpener, and then a leather strop. Makes a knife sharp enough to shave with.
The goal is to cause the least amount of pain and trauma, and cause unconsiousness from exsanguination as quickly as possible. We backyard herders become familiar humans and are seen by our stock as caretakers and leaders they can trust - even if the males in their hormones wanna fight us... when something scares them they run to US.
So the procedure, once the initial struggle against restraints gets spent, should be producing Calm in the hands of the Caretaker. The stroking and soothing voice as they pass out.

 

[Beekissed]

Yes. NOT a razorblade... a KNIFE that's been sharpened to a razor-keen edge! Gotta get good with the sharpening! I have a double sided whetstone and a diamond-grit sharpener, and then a leather strop. Makes a knife sharp enough to shave with.
The goal is to cause the least amount of pain and trauma, and cause unconsiousness from exsanguination as quickly as possible. We backyard herders become familiar humans and are seen by our stock as caretakers and leaders they can trust - even if the males in their hormones wanna fight us... when something scares them they run to US.
So the procedure, once the initial struggle against restraints gets spent, should be producing Calm in the hands of the Caretaker. The stroking and soothing voice as they pass out.

Exactly. That's one reason I choose to cut rather than shoot. It's more hands on, quiet and calm, for the sheep and also for me. They don't even seem to know they've been cut when you use a sharp knife and keep the wound edges open for the bleeding.