This thread brings back a lot of memories. Having grown up with parents who were kids in the Depression, I learned the skills in volume. I think I could pluck and draw a chicken in my sleep.

FWIW, hanging a live chicken upside down by its feet will stun it in about 20 seconds. Then a quick, sharp hatchet ... it's probably as humane as any method I can think of.

We always had a huge tub of ice-cold well water to chill the birds quickly after drawing.

Note that you can get egg layers at the end of their productive life for next-to-nothing. They're tougher, but enough time in a pressure canner makes them entirely edible. Potentially a big money-saver if you do the work yourself.