74 POULTRY LABORATORY GUIDE 



bringing one over the other and catching the tip 

 of the upper wing under that of the lower ; this 

 makes it impossible for the bird to free itself and 

 allows the picker free use of both hands. Grasp 

 the head firmly in the left hand, opening the beak 

 by the use of the thumb and the middle finger. 



When you have a secure hold, thrust the blade 

 down the throat until the point is just behind the 

 head, draw it across with the point sUpping 

 along the neck or backbone ; this severs the 

 jugular vein and insures good bleeding. With- 

 draw the knife, and allow the bird to bleed freely 

 for a few moments ; this may be hastened by hold- 

 ing the tongue down with the knife. Next place 

 the point of the knife against the roof of the mouth 

 with the cutting edge towards the left hand and 

 force it through the membrane into the brain 

 cavity, turn it once aroimd by a twist of the 

 wrist, and then draw the blade directly across the 

 base of the brain, thus severing the spinal cord 

 and thereby destroying the control which in life 

 the bird has over its feathers. As soon as the 

 brain has been pierced, turn the knife into the skin 

 of the lower beak and make a hole, through which 

 place a hook suspending a weight such as a horse- 

 shoe or brick. This keeps the neck extended 

 and insures a thorough bleeding, which is all-im- 

 portant. 



