My Plucker - Version 1 - Video of birds being plucked

[moodusnewchick]

PC and Swamp Roo, your conversation is way over my head!! I just want PC to build me a plucker so I can order more meat birds!!

I got to try PC's first version. It was really cool. I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to motors and stuff. I was nervous about the tips hitting my hand/fingers so I was timid about getting the bird close enough to be as effective as PC. Once I got the first wack, it really wasn't bad. PC does exaggerate (have you seen the silkie video?). I think this design is a wonderful "back yard" chicken tool and I like how portable it is.

My thoughts for improvement: I like the idea someone posted earlier about blowing the feathers in one direction. I'd even dig the refuse hole in the area where the feathers will land to save some labor. Wearing safety glasses is good idea too. Other than that, as long as PC keeps the model affordable and useable by peeps like me (drill owners, not buffer owners), I'm super impressed and thankful!

 

[moodusnewchick]

Quote:
thank you so much for clarifying. as i'm sure you know, tone/humor are difficult to read. I hope you continue to follow this thread 'cause PC is just so cool.

 

[kstaven]

Check this link out PC. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=294753 The fingers for this one would suit what you are doing. I have one of the pluckers advertised in the link on my drill press and they work quite well. A bigger drum like you have is along the lines of what I had in mind to build.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Wow. Sorry I failed to recognize sarcasm. That's unlike me. I must be getting old.
Watching a plucker for the first time can be sorta strange, especially if your not
the one who culled the bird.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
You are so sweet to me. I think I should be your biker beach. You'd look better
driving anyways. People would say "Look at that lucky guy".

 

[Marlinchaser]

.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
No parts around other than various Cummins, Kohler, and Generac voltage regulators
and control boards. We don't see many military units up here. They rusted apart
a long time ago.


Now your idea of using compressed air to blow off the feathers is a good one. Hmmm.


I'd love to help you build an airboat. That would be very cool.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
That model and the one Cabellas and Northern carried was the beginning of the
"I can build that" idea. From the reviews I've read it seems that one is great for
game birds, plucked in the field, with dry feather.

I did build one like that using a 3/8" rod, a 4" cap and the same bungee fingers
used in the bigger one. It works good, just not as good as the bigger one in
the video (12" x 4" drum).

I'm trying to find a good cheap source of bigger fingers like the ones used in a
wizbang or pro model. $1 each is too expensive for a cheap plucker.

I want on that all the processors on BYC can make for under $50, and are able to
use to.

Your using a drill press is a great application. Steady and variable power with a firm
base will work well.

 

[pdpatch]

I must say you got a lot further then I have so far,

I have 6 finger cut so far from bungies, and three sizes of pvc caps to try:

Source for finger under $1.00
fingers under a $1.00

http://www.strombergschickens.com/products/processing.php

PICKER FINGERS -25
Order #FIN
@ $26.50
PICKER FINGERS -50
Order #FIN50
@ $44.95
PICKER FINGERS -100
Order #FIN100
@ $73.95


http://www.meyhen.com/prod-pickingfingers.htm
The source for fingers but you need to purchase large quantities for under $1.00.
I believe this is the original source for fingers for the wizbang.


http://www.meyerhatchery.com/item.asp?n=FINGER&f=1

Our Price: $1.21 each
Buy 50 or more for $0.94 each
Buy 100 or more for $0.89 each

Once in a while you see on ebay finger for under $1.00.


Tom

 

[PAChickenChick]

Wow....and wow again

Purplechicken...that was very impressive. I don't have "meat" birds because where I live we are only allowed to have "pet" chickens...so no eating of the chickens going on here....but if I was going to have 'em....I'd want a plucker like yours.
I saw a video of that whizbang one...and it just looked too brutal for me....made me think of what it might feel like if I crawled into the clothes dryer....yours on the other hand almost looked like a chicken massage...hahaha...

If you "re-did" your design using a drill...would it be possible to hang the chicken from a rope & also a rope coming up from the ground and move around IT with the drill in hand?
I'm just thinking if the chicken was stable and you could move around it you would avoid hitting your fingers maybe?

Either way....very cool of you to build one yourself! Thanks for sharing.