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I have ducks, and the first time I had to cull some drakes I tried dry hand plucking the first one. It wasn't too bad but I couldn't get all the tiny feathers off the back and near the feet. I finally gave up and just skinned it. If I had a propane burner I would use hot water with some wax to...

You probably do this already, but just in case your birds have picked up a few mites you should always take your saved feathers and put them in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few days to kill any hitchhiking bugs.

It won't be that hard to get the pretty feathers out. Just pull out the ones you want to keep, then dunk the chicken and go after the rest. I have dry plucked a duck before so I know you can do it. I go around the yard picking up the pretty feathers all the time!

If you want to use the feathers I would pluck some dry for that use before dunking them in the hot water.

Yes, I should have said the one gallon jug. I don't have chickens, but it's been large enough for me to use on a Silver Appleyard drake, which should be as big as any chicken you'll want to do. Of course, ducks have kind of long necks. I just shove their head into the jug while holding their...

I just use an empty vinegar bottle. The plastic is a little thicker than on milk bottles, and they are rounder. I cut out the bottom and a little bit of the top, then screw it to a tree. Works like a charm and is basically free.

One of the most important things to keep in mind in order to kill them quickly and humanely is that your knife must be very sharp. It pays to sharpen your knife just before you start. It makes it easier on the bird and easier on you. We just butchered three extra drakes this weekend, and my...

Thanks so much!

I forgot I had a question myself! I am rasing ducks, not chickens, so I am wondering about the process for cleaning or skinning duck feet. Also, do you make "duck stock" like you make chicken stock? And lastly, how do you build a "whizbang" plucker I saw mentioned in a couple of posts here...

I have just spent hours going through this entire thread. Amazing! I was smart enough to copy and paste the stuff I really wanted to remember to a Word document, so I wouldn't have to search the thread for those nuggets of knowlege. Because I did this, I can answer a few of your questions...