Chicken pluckers: do they work? Are they worth the $?

[forester7]

I am considering buying a used chicken plucker. I have only seen them work on youtube. Do they really work well? Do they damage the meat at all? Are they a worthwhile investment for killing 25 chickens each year?

 

[Tguilbeau]

Me, personally if it’s 25 all year I don’t think it’s worth the $400+ investment. But if you get a used one as you said at a good price I’d go for it. Otherwise I’d probably resort to the plucker you attach to a drill or a bench grinder.

 

[ronott1]

I agree! I hand pluck or skin--I do not process enough to warrant the expense

 

[Tguilbeau]

I just looked on Amazon and you can get one for under $100

 

[ronott1]

I just looked on Amazon and you can get one for under $100

Good Price!

 

[Tguilbeau]

Good Price!

Now that’s for the drill/bench grinder attachment. Just to clarify.

 

[perchie.girl]

I am considering buying a used chicken plucker. I have only seen them work on youtube. Do they really work well? Do they damage the meat at all? Are they a worthwhile investment for killing 25 chickens each year?

No damage But if you leave them in the hot water too long you can rip the skin.... Never had one but have read bunches about them.

I would buy a used one or build one.... Even if I were only processing a few birds a year. Though when I get moved back home I hope to raise up some meaties so Definatley want to have the job done, quickly I have no help at home.

deb

 

[Redhead Rae]

I've only done 40ish birds, but I'm planning on doing a LOT of hatching and culling every year to fill my freezer. Plucking is one of the hardest parts. I'm considering getting a yardbird plucker with my tax rebate. Yes, I know tax time is past, but we had an issue with my W2 so we filed an extension.

 

[RUNuts]

Asking the same question. CX are MUCH easier to hand pluck than heritage birds. Even at 25 heritage birds a year, I'd seriously consider the plucker. I'm on CX, so trying to decide if I want one. My other problem is storage. I really don't have room for another washing machine or lawn mower sized appliance I only use once a year. These things are not small.

 

[Tguilbeau]

When you scald them your ideal temperature is 150 degrees, leave them for 15-30 second intervals and try pluck the feathers and repeat until they come out relatively easy. Also too long in the plucker will rip the soft skin as someone said before.