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

[MelissaRose]

My family processes 60 birds a year. We used to do 100. We have a large plucker. I think we bought it, I dont know how much it cost. We can put two or three broilers in it at a time and it does an amazing job! It saves us hours of work. It does break legs and wings sometimes but that doesn't really matter. If you're only doing 25 birds you might just skin them, it will take some time but it will save you some money.

 

[perchie.girl]

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

There are YouTube videos on making thouse.... Less than 20 dollars for material.

I would do an old washing machine conversion if I were going to build one.....

 

[kwhites634]

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.

I'd go with the DIY type regardless; the others are no better & cost way too much. I would, however, rig a feather catcher on it, or you'll have wet feathers sticking to everything.

 

[perchie.girl]

oh as far as space goes a nice lawn shed just for the purpose of processing chickens might be a good idea contained washable(waterproofed inside) and heavy screens over the windows to keep feathers in and flys out.

Me want....

deb

 

[Tguilbeau]

I'd go with the DIY type regardless; the others are no better & cost way too much. I would, however, rig a feather catcher on it, or you'll have wet feathers sticking to everything.

I plan on trying the DIY one with a 55 gallon drum.

 

[mysheezab]

Has anyone made one with good results? We are going to do meat chickens next spring, and if we can (and its worth the effort) we will diy a plucker.

 

[kwhites634]

Has anyone made one with good results? We are going to do meat chickens next spring, and if we can (and its worth the effort) we will diy a plucker.

I personally haven't, but 2 guys that used to be 'regulars', but seldom get on any longer, both built one, one in a drill chuck & the other more elaborate for higher volume, driven by an electric motor.
The drill chuck model @Chaos18

 

[Mrs. K]

I use the drill head and am very pleased with it. We just did 15 chickens, it does take two people to run it, one to run the drill and one to hold the chicken. Use a thermometer and be exact on your scald.

 

[Beer can]

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.

It also cooks the skin, makes it tough when you cook the bird and makes it so it doesn't crisp up.
I wash the bird off before scalding with a garden hose gets the feathers wet so it takes up the scalding water easier and faster, and keeps the water cleaner.

 

[Beer can]

CX are MUCH easier to hand pluck than heritage birds.

Probably because the are much younger. Naked necks pluck very easy they only have strips of feathers, mostly bare the feathers cover up the bare spots. And they have no hair to singe off.