My Plucker - Version 1 - Video of birds being plucked

[PurpleChicken]

I built a plucker for this weekends processing party based on some
ideas people shared on the internet plus a few of my own. It worked
a lot better than I expected and I've already been making plans for
version 2.

It removed 95% of the feathers in around a minute.

As you watch the video please understand I was just learning how
to use it since the idiot who made it didn't include instructions.

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u37/Donsmacs/?action=view&current=pluckerv2-1.flv

 

[cheeptrick]

Ok...that was very easy. Could you post the plans for your plucker or link to where you found them? We are thinking we will make one ourselves prior to getting our first flock for the freezer. Your posts from PP have been so informative and giving us all some GREAT ideas on how to get started. I'm not sure if we will raise them this fall or next spring...do you all process in the winter or is this strictly a summer time ritual? Thank you!!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I gotta get my butt to work right now but I'll draw up some plans later on. This was
only version 1 so I wanted to make modifications before I put the plans out there.

Material list

Wood $2
5/8" rod w/hardware $6
12" PVC drain pipe $8 (If you buy a 10 foot lentgh)
2 4" PVC caps $3
20 Bungee cords $10 @ Ocean state

Something to run it with - I used my buffer


Again, this is only version 1. No one should build one yet unless we wanna
make this a group project which would be super cool.


And yes we do process all year but most of the big processings happen in the fall.

 

[cheeptrick]

Sweet...I'll subscribe to this topic and await your plans!

Have a GREAT day at work!!

 

[gumpsgirl]

WOW! That looked so fast and easy!

 

[leslie]

I sup pose those "fingers" are bungee cords? how did you attach them and did you remove the metal hooks? i wish you had shown the plucker close up and a sur round picture. thanks. les

 

[MissPrissy]

Great job, PC.

We have been considering building a whiz bang plucker.

How pleased with this mini-plucker are you?

How does the bungee compare to plucker fingers?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Yeah, the fingers are bungie. I did remove the metal hooks and drilled 1/2" holes
to hold them in place. The end, where the hook was, is bigger so it doesn't fly through
the hole.


I'll post pics later on and I will also post the sources of some of the ideas I used. I don't
wanna take credit for copying things.


Let's say this was my inspiration, I just wanted something bigger:
I made one like his too and it worked great.
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=130787
Video of his in action:
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=7968684598671806901&q=chicken+plucker


Also, check out this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=82882
I almost bought this one. For $300 it looks great but not for the amount
of birds me and my friends process.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I considered a whizbang. Trouble for me is time and storage. If we did
a lot of birds I'd build one.

My mini plucker (both versions) exceeded my expectations.

I've never tried any other pluckers. I'm sure the fingers work better
and plan to order some tonight for my next few versions.


I'm using a $300 variable speed Matco buffer as the power source
for mine. If you already own a buffer this takes an hour to build.

The small one that attached to a drill works ok too, just not nearly
as fast.

I'm considering using a bench grinder too. You must be able to vary the
speed. Too fast and it rips the birds(and your fingers) apart. Too slow
and it doesn't work.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
We don't have a buffer. But I think we figured once before for abot $300 we could do a whiz bang plucker.

Gotta think about this one.