Hudson12
Well-Known Member
Handy thing that old four ten of yours lol
Humane dispatch
- Thread starter Woodsmoke
- Start date
Hudson12
Well-Known Member
Like the old saying about Leicester’s get a shovel for luck if it coughs look for the shovel if it coughs twice start digging
You can use either the .22 or the shotgun to kill a sheep. .22 one has to be precise, it's easy to miss the brain. Shotgun - less precision and a .410 will be fine, even on cattle. Captive bolt will kill as stated, but you have to pith or bleed to ensure death.
I'm assuming this is only dispatch where the sheep isn't going for meat? If so, then no free bullet or pithing allowed (BSE risks)
I'm assuming this is only dispatch where the sheep isn't going for meat? If so, then no free bullet or pithing allowed (BSE risks)
Hudson12
Well-Known Member
Bse in sheep in the UK ?? Don’t you mean scrapie
Buchan, the carcass can go for meat, but the meat cannot be transferred to any third party. It can only (legally) be consumed by the person who killed it and, under certain circumstances, members of his family who are normally resident in his household.
Woodsmoke
Well-Known Member
Correct, but if it's only for your own personal consumption you don't have to worry about the TSE regs.
When younger (ages ago) I used to hold the legs of the sheep being slaughtered for our village butcher - simply to get the used cases. He used a .22 in those days.
I have shot some hefty animals with a 12 bore (3.5 " mangum No4 shot ) that was very effective but on small animals I would expect it to be excessive. .410 or 20 bore have been recommended and I would go with .410 based on the effectiveness at close range and being 'enough gun'. The .410 has been 'screened' through the animal cruelty regs and along with 20 bore is recommended by DEFRA. I would not use a pistol; chance of ricochet is real as with larger shotguns on concrete yards, if shooting downwards.
I have shot some hefty animals with a 12 bore (3.5 " mangum No4 shot ) that was very effective but on small animals I would expect it to be excessive. .410 or 20 bore have been recommended and I would go with .410 based on the effectiveness at close range and being 'enough gun'. The .410 has been 'screened' through the animal cruelty regs and along with 20 bore is recommended by DEFRA. I would not use a pistol; chance of ricochet is real as with larger shotguns on concrete yards, if shooting downwards.
howa243
Well-Known Member
Nothing required in addition to what you have. A .22rf is perfect for the job.
At one time, any livestock farmer would be granted a FAC for 22rf, simply by stating "humane dispatch" on the application form. However, this is no longer the case, as 22rf is no longer the recommended tool for the job. Smallbore shotgun is. Reason being that a shotgun completely destroys the brain and death is instantaneous. A 22rf does not ensure that level of efficiency.
I've got a folding .410 specifically for use on our smallholding to dispatch fallen stock.
Should have added it's still very compact when ready, easy to aim at a short distance if needed but also light enough to use in a confined space or awkward position. Thankfully only needed to use it a handful of times but it's there if needs be. I think it only cost about £50 too. No need to go down the pistol route imo or have the hassle of firearms conditions etc. I'll also add if you do have to use it, in my experience an animal can react in strange ways with a shot to the head with nerve reactions afterwards, not the nicest thing to witness.
OK, TSE regs then! Pretty sure TSE regs apply to any slaughter for human consumption, but as I've not looked at them recently, I'll stand corrected. UPdate, the inner geek made me check:
- The European Commission considers that the EU TSE Regulations apply wherever a TSE susceptible animal is slaughtered (including home slaughter).
That's well spotted! The wording has changed since I wrote my article. It used to include "except where an animal is slaughtered by the owner, on his or her own premises, for their own personal consumption" or words to that effect. Updated in 2013, it would appear.
(Not that anyone takes any notice anyway! I know dozens of people who regularly slaughter their own sheep, and none of us is dead yet!)
On my little old hill farm I keep a couple of thousand ewes and experience has taught me that a folding .410 is the ideal tool for the job. Cheap and cheerful and does the job. I've used pistols and rifles over the years but by far the best is the old .410 folder I bought about 40 years ago for a fiver.
Having been killing my own sheep for 35 years (and pigs, goats and cattle) I'm fairly well planted in the real world where home slaughter is concerned.
Adequate, yes. Ideal, no.
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