Colorado

[trsturself]

I was looking at the whizbang plucker today. I think a plucker would definitely make it better. I really don't want to pay $3/bird for butchering. Now I need to convince DH of the same. :/

 

[Double Kindness]

My bf is very much not into the plucking part, and since I covet duck /chicken fat, but hand plucking takes so darn long!

Maybe we can share a whiz bang plucker?

 

[jime]

My bf is very much not into the plucking part, and since I covet duck /chicken fat, but hand plucking takes so darn long!

Maybe we can share a whiz bang plucker?

How are you plucking (water temperature) here is what I do and for me goes pretty fast now I only need to improve on the gutting part.
I have a big pressure cooker got it at Walmart, put your water and pot on the stove, don't let it boil just need to see the little bubbles, once you see those you are ready, don't take the pot from the stove just leave it there and add a tiny bit of cold water still need to be hot you dunk just the head first and take it out and grab the neck with your hand and pass your hand putting a bit of pressure agains the feather grow the feathers should come easily with out you pulling them, if you see the skin cook just add a bit of cold water if the feather not come out just by rubbing them then you need it a bit more hot, if it works dunk the whole chicken just grabbing the feet and swish it around for like 30 second then take it out and give it a pet and you have feathers out with out plucking them.Normally takes me less than 1 hour to do 9 birds once they are dead, like I say the hardest for me is the gutting (I need to improve on the way to pull the crop and pipes together that is the hardest for me to fish the crop out) and of curse on the looks of the process chicken.
I hope you understood a bit on my explanation

 

[Double Kindness]

When needing to process 25 or so chickens at a time or a duck.. is where hand plucking is too labor intensive for me to do at one go. I have water at 140-150f, have a cold water bucket too. Dunk swish scald, dunk swish cild, 5-6 times. Then pluck. But sometimes skin tears. Easier to skin for me, but I want the fat!!

I plan/want to do 2 batches of broilers/cx in the spring.

 

[trsturself]

When needing to process 25 or so chickens at a time or a duck.. is where hand plucking is too labor intensive for me to do at one go. I have water at 140-150f, have a cold water bucket too. Dunk swish scald, dunk swish cild, 5-6 times. Then pluck. But sometimes skin tears. Easier to skin for me, but I want the fat!!

I plan/want to do 2 batches of broilers/cx in the spring.

Don't do the chill part. Just dunk in the hot water then pluck immediately. As jime said, the feathers just come right off. If they start getting difficult, dunk in the warm water again and finish. The chilling is making the skin contract and hold on to the feathers which is why you are getting tearing.
Even a plucker would tear the skin with a cold bird. Here is a great article on using a plucker. http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-properly-whizbang-pluck-chicken.html

The thing I like about a bucket plucker is you can do 3 birds at once and it only takes ~30sec. We will be doing ~20-25 birds at a time so this will help speed the process along. I would also like 2 killing cones. I really need to work up the courage to do the deed myself instead of leaving the room when DH does it. We tried to make a killing cone out of a traffic cone but it was too narrow at the top, even with a lot of it cut off. Killing cones, a plucker, and a general workstation are on the to do list for spring.

We should all get together and do cooperative processing. We'll start at one person's house, then the next, etc. It would make much quicker work of the deed!

 

[Double Kindness]

It certainly would trsturself. So far I'm thinking going to feeders supply in ft collins is how I'm going to have to get the cx.

If anyone needs a good flock protector roo I have an excellent 2 and they're also both mousers. A br and we think Brazen is a white star. He's fearless. He works well with Rocky the barred rock that survived being attacked by my greyhound and is a tough guy. I'd hate to eat these 2 guys as I see how well they take care of the flock and they free range. Even with hawks, raccoon, dogs and neighborhood cats coming into the yard. They aren't crowing yet, but that could be b/c they see crowers dispatched soon after they start being loud. Brazen did mate the production red rooster yesterday, but that could be explained by that rooster always making egg song sounds. Lol.

 

[ryan820]

I tried posting this earlier via tapatalk but they have royally messed the app up.

Anyway, I'm curious about something and need input from you guys.

What would you do if you were moving? And not the next block or county over, but moving out of Colorado completely. Would you take your flock with you, or would you disband them? I'm guessing moving ag animals across state lines isn't likely to be legal so I'd probably think it's best to just disband them. Would it be appropriate to sell or should you give the birds away? I'd like to have some cash on hand to restart my flock in the new home but I'm unsure whats acceptable.

Not moving yet-- and may not be but I have to think of these things now so that if it comes to moving I'm not overwhelmed! BTW, the flock is disease free in so far as I know (have had no issues and everyone's healthy and well-fed).

Just curious to hear your thoughts.

 

[corancher]

Certainly try to sell them first. You put good money into them so there is no reason for you not to get some money out of them if you can.

 

[21hens-incharge]

ryan820,

I am thinking it is legal to transport livestock since horses, cows and goats are moved all the time. Heck even the hatcheries sell started pullets and they ship them.

I would totally take my birds and all the rest with me. That being said I am sure a move is hard on them and all may not make it.

 

[ryan820]

I will try to sell them then if it should come to that. The flock is mostly from this past season so still plenty of eggs and potential with them. I don't think I'll try to take them with me, though my rooster is a stunner. I love my light brahmas!