EZ 131 or any other plucker recommendation for duck processing?

[momofpets]

I need advice. This is my first time raising muscovy ducks. Processing ducks are a real chore. Using dishwashing gloves help gets a better grip, but the next day, my hands feel like I am suffering from carpel tunnel. I've processed them at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. I am only processing for my own family consumption, which will be for approximately 50 to 100 ducks a year. Is it worth it to spend the money on something like the EZ 131? Will a drill plucker work on ducks?

 

[bargain]

I have only processed one duck, but I understand if you melt paraffin in an old crock pot and after dipping in warm water, you then dip in paraffin that is warm, handle carefully to avoid burns it makes porocessing easire. I have not tried it!

 

[Oregon Blues]

The EZ Plucker cleans a duck up really nicely as long as you process when the birds don't have pin feathers. If the birds have pin feathers, you will benefit from also using duck wax.

Clean the birds up as best you can and only use the wax to pull the pin feathers. Then you filter the wax to clean it and pop it into the freezer to use the next time you butcher..

 

[Oregon Blues]

Also, when you scald ducks, you must have the water hotter and swish the bird in the hot water for much longer than you do with a chicken.

A squirt of dish soap in the scald water helps to get the water down to the skin, which can be tricky since ducks are water proof.

 

[momofpets]

Also, when you scald ducks, you must have the water hotter and swish the bird in the hot water for much longer than you do with a chicken.

A squirt of dish soap in the scald water helps to get the water down to the skin, which can be tricky since ducks are water proof.

Unfortunately, I've either swished the bird too long and ended up pulling the skin as well or not swished long enough. Thank you for the pointers!

But do you think it's worth the money to get the EZPlucker since I am only processing for family? What have you used to pluck your ducks?