Illinois...

[BReeder!]

Hot water bath. Feathers swipe off. At least for chickens. Right @Faraday40?

That what I do. Ducks have a LOT off feathers though and pin feathers all over that are like hairs. It usually goes: hot water dip, pluck, dip again, finish plucking, dry, blow torch the tiny hair-like feathers.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

That what I do. Ducks have a LOT off feathers though and pin feathers all over that are like hairs. It usually goes: hot water dip, pluck, dip again, finish plucking, dry, blow torch the tiny hair-like feathers.

I was just you tubing a video. He used paraffin wax and then just peeled the down right off. Maybe give it a go.

 

[Faraday40]

Hot water bath. Feathers swipe off. At least for chickens. Right @Faraday40?

Some ladies get together for shopping or book clubs. But we get together to butcher poultry. Yes, our friendship has grown over the years. Lol

Yes, a hot water dip works well for chickens and turkeys. Never tried duck.
Perhaps @BReeder! can give you tips when it’s time to reduce your duck number.

 

[BReeder!]

I was just you tubing a video. He used paraffin wax and then just peeled the down right off. Maybe give it a go.

That's what I was thinking about. Never did it this way but it looks so quick and easy... They put the wax in the hot water bath. It roasts at the surface so it coats the bird as you pull it out. I might give it a go and report back...

 

[cavemanrich]

That's what I was thinking about. Never did it this way but it looks so quick and easy... They put the wax in the hot water bath. It roasts at the surface so it coats the bird as you pull it out. I might give it a go and report back...

I'm not in the pluckers club,,,,, but imagine the waxing must be done when most of the bulk feathers are removed,,,,, and the remaining pin feathers are the ones to remove. ,, Is this correct??

ETA.. The wax can be saved, and heated up and strained to get the pin feathers out. then ready for next adventure.

 

[Molpet]

ETA.. The wax can be saved, and heated up and strained to get the pin feathers out. then ready for next adventure.

I read that too.... also read some people thought that was a royal pain. Mainly the clean up of wax left on strainer and such

 

[BReeder!]

I read that too.... also read some people thought that was a royal pain. Mainly the clean up of wax left on strainer and such

Thinking about getting a cheap dollar store strainer and dedicating it to poultry processing.

 

[BReeder!]

The duck pen got a fresh layer of straw. I used an entire bale. If time permits, I'll be taking the extra drake's out today. With any luck, they'll be nice and clean since the straw should keep them out of the mud and I cleaned and refilled their pools with fresh water so they'll take a bath (we change the water every day, but it's particularly useful today).

 

[Justso]

What was the product that finally succeed for you?? and which type of mites were you dealing with??

I read that web page about that Desecticide. It is priced reasonably, since only need 6 OZ, per half gallon of water. A gallon of concentrate will go a long way.
Half gallon of spray should treat a backyard coop well.

It was northern foul mites. ironically it was the most simple product that worked, poultry dust. I started with topical ivermectin, moved on to liquid permethrin then finally the dust. I will say I was a little aggressive on the dust, I put the dust in a old feed bag put a chicken in and shook them up just like shake and bake. I also treated any of my neighbors chickens that wandered over my way. I'd pretty much had it with the whole bug thing. with each of the systems I also treated the coop, changed out the bedding. It wasn't my first rodeo with mites, but I suspect the bantam cochins were a little too susceptible, especially being broody.

 

[BReeder!]

Well ducks are done. Takes forever to plug four ducks. @WhyDoILikeChickens did you end up getting a plucker for your meat birds? If so, I would love to work out a deal next time I have a few birds to process. I usually just process a few each year anyway.