2,509. The Definition of "Delay"

Hilchos Shechita 3:2

"Delay" means that someone started to slaughter, he raised his hand before completing the slaughter and pauses. The situation is the same regardless of whether a person does this accidentally, intentionally or because of circumstances beyond his control: if he or someone else completes the slaughter waiting the length of time it would take to pick up the animal, make it lie down and slaughter it, then the slaughter is invalid. If he paused less than this, the slaughter is valid.

Hilchos Shechita 3:3

When it comes to small domesticated animals, delay is the length of time it would take to pick up the animal, make it lie down and slaughter it; for large domestic animals, delay is the length of time it would take to pick up the animal, make it lie down and slaughter it; for birds, delay is the length of time it would take to pick up a small animal, make it lie down and slaughter it.