Culling chicks in a backyard or smallholding scenario is something you need to know how to do. You might need to do it because the bird is sick or perhaps as is the truth, it’s a male bird and you don’t need it and its unsuitable for the table (see part 1). Not many books provide instruction on how to do it and if you intend to breed chickens then its a skill you will require.
- Find a table or work surface with a clear right angled edge
- Hold the chick in the fist with your thumb up as if hitching a ride so the chicks head is just above the tip of your thumb
- Place the thumb against the neck of the chick and put the other side of the chicks neck against the table edge
- Press firmly and quickly with the thumb against the table edge
- You will feel the neck of the chick dislocate. It is now dead.
- The chick will be moving in your hand (as if struggling). This is involuntary muscle contractions and not actually struggling
- Hold the chick in position until the movement subsides.
Note:
Following a few queries about precisely how the chick is held heres an image to help (no stuffed animals were injured during the taking of this shot)
ChickenStreet 
Thank you Andy much appreciated. I think I will have to be with somebody the first time I have to do it. I might be asking if your ever passing All Stretton to call in 🙂
You’re welcome & yes I do sometimes head that way during the year 🙂
Great post. I plan to learn the proper way to kill and prepare a chicken for the pot this year.