Aseres Yemei Teshuva - Kisui Hadam

QUESTION: I know there is a mitzvah to cover the blood of chickens after shechitah. How is this mitzvah performed, and who is obligated to perform it?

ANSWER: 

1.  There is a Biblical commandment (Vayikra 17:13) of kisui hadam, covering the initial blood, when performing shechita (ritual slaughter) of bird or a chaya (non-domesticated animal).

2.  Chickens should be handled with care so as not to cause them any distress or discomfort. Tzar baalei chaim is forbidden by halacha. Furthermore, when holding a chicken, one must be careful not to cause them harm or injury, as this could render the bird a treifa (non-kosher). It is preferable that chickens should be held by an experienced adult.

3.  The mitzvah of kisui hadam is the shochet’s entitlement [1], and if someone else wishes to perform it, he must first be given authorization by the shochet [2].

4.  The kisui hadam is performed after the shochet has checked his knife following the shechitah and has confirmed that the shechitah was done properly [3].

5.   The standard method of kisui hadam is to place sawdust on the ground before the shechitah, and then cover the blood with a second layer of sawdust after the shechita, so that the blood is sandwiched between 2 layers of sawdust.

6.   Before the sawdust is placed on the blood, the following beracha is recited:

בָּרוּך אַתָּה וכו' מֶֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל כִּיסוּי דָם בֶּעָפָר.

7.   There must be sufficient sawdust on the blood, so that the area is completely dry.

8.   Kisui hadam should be performed by an adult [4].

[1] Y.D. Siman 28:8

[2] Simlah Chadasha 28:9

[3] Y.D. Siman 28:19.

[4] Maharam Shik Y.D. Siman 37 and Teshuvos Vehanhagos Vol. 2, Siman 282.

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