Featherman Pro...

[Brunty_Farms]

Just wanted to say that if you do not have the resources, knowledge, or time to build your own Whizbang Plucker the Featherman Pro is worth the money.

I will be processing 200 birds tomorrow morning and just did three to test run the equipment. As long as you get a good scald it runs like a million bucks. I also bought the killing cones and the stand... also a great purchase. The cones are stainless steel and the stand swivels so you don't have to move much.

Worth every penny....

 

[maf2008]

Do you suggest that I get new? or is there any good idea for purchasing a used whiz band or featherman? Where do you get yours and what should I NOT purchase? Also, Where do you get the plastic freezer bags? thanks

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[Justin]

I agree....I bought a Pro about a month ago, unfortunately my 22 meat birds were all killed by a weasel or mink a couple of nights ago

But I can't wait to use it on my next batch which is coming after Labor Day!!

 

[Milliemay]

Just wanted to say that if you do not have the resources, knowledge, or time to build your own Whizbang Plucker the Featherman Pro is worth the money

Where can I find info about the Featherman?? Won't help this year, Saturday is the end for the last 20, but maybe for next year. Thanks!​

 

[Le Canard de Barbarie]

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What are you using for a scalder?

 

[Justin]

Milliemay,


www.featherman.net is the site....

 

[Le Canard de Barbarie]

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So, how did it go?

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Well, to say the least... it was awesome.

It was just me and one other person and we did 78 in the first four hours. I did most of the work as the guy only helped with catching them and loading them in the cones. I killed... plucked... gutted.

I worked 7 hours past that and did 146 total. So I did 68 by myself in 7 hours. (however I was really tired by the end and I took my time).

The machine and the cones were the highlight for the day. I was like a kid getting a new toy for Christmas. I was amazed at how fast the machine pulled the feathers off. I did 5 lb birds (live weight) and I would put 6 in at a time.... worked like a charm as it took about a minute or so per batch. It was neat as after I scalded them I dropped them in the plucker and would kill 8 more that my help had loaded (he wouldn't kill them). I couldn't imagine having just one more person with some experience that was gutting as it would just fly by. Because before I knew it the table would pile up with naked chickens ready to be gutted. I always thought the plucking and killing were the parts that took the longest but now it's the opposite... the gutting takes forever as you have 40 birds piled up to do!

For a scalder I am still using my turkey fryer set up... but it's what I have at the moment. I wanted to buy the whole combo but was a little skeptical when ordering, but now I want the whole set up.

Here is a link from where I purchased mine... http://www.featherman.net/pluckers.html#SetUp These are nice compared to the whizbangs as the motor is completely enclosed. No risk of getting shock... or ruining the motor. Plus it has a warranty as well. (not knockin the whizbangs as I'm sure they work fine... and if I was doing this for personal use I would probably go the whizbang route)

To anyone wanting to get better equipment I would definatly do it in this order... Good knives.... Plucker... Killing cones... The cones that featherman has are stainless and clean up realy nice. I've been processing chickens for myself and customers since 2001 and always kept putting it off as I couldn't justify spending $35.00 for just one cone... but I wish I would have done this earlier as they are now worth million bucks!!

I have 38 more to do so I will take some pics of everything in action and let you get a glimps of how it works.