Easiest Plucking? I'm about over it and ready to skin 20 Cornish Xs.

[Coops Dad]

Without spending $400-$500 on a drum plucker, what's the best method for plucking a bunch of Cornish Cross fatties? The biggest time suck of processing has been the plucking. Even when a sufficient supply of Shiner Bock is on ice, I get so despondent from all the plucking that I've just simply peeled a few birds just to get it over with. I don't like them as much without the crispy skin, and just need a better, faster way of de-feathering them.

What's your go-to?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I've been there with you. I use a device that attaches to my drill. I strap the drill to the end of a sawhorse, and away we go. After scalding the bird, plucking with the drill attachment takes maybe 30-45 seconds. Easy enough, for a batch your size.

 

[Coops Dad]

I saw that on Amazon but it didn't have particularly good reviews. If you're saying you've had good results with it, I'll order one. They show that I can have it in two days, so away I go to load up my Prime account.

Don't think that it's gonna stop with a chicken plucker... I got a "wants" list as long as my arm.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

It takes a little finesse, but with a little practice, it does a good job. Some tips: Be sure your scalding water isn't too hot or leave the bird in too long, or you'll cook the skin - and then the plucker will just plow holes in it. I use a variable speed drill - and I tie the trigger with a strap to about the right speed, kind of medium/low. Then I just plug/unplug it to turn it on and off between birds. You'll also want to stand where the plucking fingers spin downwards in front of you, else you'll be spraying wet feathers all over your face. Hold the bird firmly by its legs, and spin away. If it's ripping skin, it's too fast. If it bogs down, it's too slow. I still have to pluck some of the pin feathers and wing feathers, but it works very well for me.

 

[3KillerBs]

After wrestling with trying to skin my cull cockerel, I refuse to believe that skinning is the easy way compared to plucking.

It takes a little finesse, but with a little practice, it does a good job. Some tips: Be sure your scalding water isn't too hot or leave the bird in too long, or you'll cook the skin - and then the plucker will just plow holes in it. I use a variable speed drill - and I tie the trigger with a strap to about the right speed, kind of medium/low. Then I just plug/unplug it to turn it on and off between birds. You'll also want to stand where the plucking fingers spin downwards in front of you, else you'll be spraying wet feathers all over your face. Hold the bird firmly by its legs, and spin away. If it's ripping skin, it's too fast. If it bogs down, it's too slow. I still have to pluck some of the pin feathers and wing feathers, but it works very well for me.

I'd wondered if those were of any use.

 

[Coops Dad]

After wrestling with trying to skin my cull cockerel, I refuse to believe that skinning is the easy way compared to plucking.

I can peel one in about two minutes but I love crispy skin.

 

[Ridgerunner]

After wrestling with trying to skin my cull cockerel, I refuse to believe that skinning is the easy way compared to plucking.

There is a big difference in trying to skin a 22 week old cockerel well into puberty and a young Cornish X. I don't know how old Coops Dad's Cornish X were when he butchered them but skinning a 22 week old cockerel gets close to being work, especially when it comes to that connective tissue. The Cornish X babies peel right off.

 

[Coops Dad]

There is a big difference in trying to skin a 22 week old cockerel well into puberty and a young Cornish X. I don't know how old Coops Dad's Cornish X were when he butchered them but skinning a 22 week old cockerel gets close to being work, especially when it comes to that connective tissue. The Cornish X babies peel right off.

Sorry- I meant to clarify: just about every bird I've skinned has been a 6 month+ Ameracauna rooster. My wife won't think about eating a chicken whose skin is peppered with color from dark feathers but she doesn't think twice about plopping a totally skinned rooster I to the crockpot.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You're doing good. A six month old male slows me down. A four month old cockerel or even 8 month old pullet is easy by comparison.

 

[BeanNoot316]

A little late to the thread but I thought the same thing. No way I could afford to shell out $400-$500 for a chicken plucker. So, I decided to make my own with material I had around the property. Best thing about it is there is no electricity needed.
*Forgot to mention that I had to buy the plucker fingers and a few pipe fittings. In total it cost me less then $100.