Chicken plucker

[R_Chickens]

Dh bought the supplies for me on Friday to make one. Praying it works well. Hand plucking hurts.

We have one sort of like the whizbang. As a matter of fact, it's mostly the same except for our custom steel frame and we used the top of the barrel for the spinning base.

Scalding temps and times and then spinning times are CRITICAL to pluck the feathers and not tear the skin.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Refresh my memory on temps and time!

 

[R_Chickens]

From an earlier post when we finished it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-and-qs-in-the-middle-of-a-build#post_9273230 (you have to copy and post the link, sorry)

Update!

Well, finished up the plucker about 1230am Wed and started butchering Wed am.

It works great, but the scald and procedures are CRITICAL!

Scalding 145F-155F for 20 secs, then 20secs, then either 20 secs or 10 secs (check by pulling pin feathers), put in running plucker, count to 8, lightly mist the bird a little, then spray the sides up to about 20 secs, then head for cord (I didn't get a switch on in time) to turn off at 30 secs. No feathers! Occassionally one or two or a wing feather left behind, but definately worth it!

When scalding, keep moving the chicken up and down in the pot (keep it under the water with only the bottom of the legs exposed where you are holding it). Let the chicken drip/drain about 5-6 secs between dunks.

Things that DON'T work:

1. Scalding over 155F and/or over 60 secs (tears up the skin)
2. Scalding under 145F (Feathers don't come off)
3. Spraying bird as soon as you put it in the plucker (I think it cools off too quickly and the feathers don't come out)
4. Running plucker over 30 secs (broken wings/legs more likely)


We were really surprised how sensitive the scalding is to temp and how much that affected the plucker effectiveness.

We butchered 26 chickens and will finish the other 18 tomorrow. We put them in heat shrink poultry bags. Generally happy with them, but need a new set of heavy silicone gloves as mine are wearing through inside and tend to burn my fingers wink.png


I ended up switching out the pulleys for 1.75" drive pulley and keeping the 12" pulley on the feather plate- mostly due to availability and cost. I agree with the posters above that this lower rpm is better for the plucker. BTW, 2" + 14" pulleys are essentially the same as 1.75" + 12" pulleys. Added a spring loaded tensioner pulley from an old mower deck.

Hope this helps!

- JC

 

[JNB]

I checked online at our State Agriculture site . There I found a link that led me to a County Conservation site . I found I could rent all the equipment, Cones, Plucker, Scalder etc. for 20 bucks. There were also some great videos and how to information..

 

[Arielle]

I checked online at our State Agriculture site . There I found a link that led me to a County Conservation site . I found I could rent all the equipment, Cones, Plucker, Scalder etc. for 20 bucks. There were also some great videos and how to information..

There are many down sides to dial up! Would love to see the videos.

 

[Arielle]

From an earlier post when we finished it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-and-qs-in-the-middle-of-a-build#post_9273230 (you have to copy and post the link, sorry)
Quote: Thank you!! it helps.

 

[meetzeek]

Awesome, the exact info I've been looking for, thanks!!

 

[redneck4life27]

Cant wait to get my ez plucker 151 will be saving alot of work and back aches.