Plucking ducks

[iajewel]

Duck skin is the cats meow, Its worth it to pluck. I have done allot of skinning, but the flavor sure changes. Cook some potato with some duck fat, or skin and OMG.. Ya.. see what you like best, as there is a difference.

Yes.. I run the hens on 30 acres with guardian dogs. I went from nothing a year ago, to enough to supply local restants and stores in a year.
No other duck but the Muscovy could have pulled me out of the mess I was in on this farm as fast as they did. I owe them, and I love them for what they have to offer my life in so many ways.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
so that got my attention... along with your 4-600 number.
would love to talk with you about your business model...

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
I don't have a photo, unfortunately, but this is the method we use for those we sell. With practice, it gives a professional finish.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
X2
I looked at the price of wax though and for me to process a few birds it seems too expensive.

The wax comes in a quantity, and one tends only use a portion of the wax per job. I would try to do a dozen or so ducks at a time. If you only do a couple of ducks in the course of a year, it may not be best for you.

If I were to pluck without wax, I'd do mallard derivative ducks at 8, 13 or after 18 weeks, muscovies at 17 weeks.

 

[iajewel]

Well you can write and ask but I won't have much to say. Im learning as I go and I take one day at a time in all this. You just do what you have available to do for your area and ability. Challenge yourself in knowledge, but use that knowledge not to stretch your limits, but to better your life. Other then that, I really don't have any secret answers.

 

[Oregon Blues]

The best price I've found for wax is direct from Blended Waxes company.

It's reusable. You strain the feathers out. I store mine in the freezer in case there is any organic matter left in it. It does a beautiful job of cleaning up the bird. You float a bit of it on top of hot water, so it doesn't take much and it stores well. Also, it only needs a thin coating of wax on the bird in order to pull the pins and down off.

I wouldn't buy it for 2-3 birds, but if I planned on doing 2-3 birds every year for a long time, I'd certainly invest. It really cuts the work involved in plucking ducks.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Also, I've found that shipping is high but doesn't go up much with each additional block of wax purchased. Since it stores well, I bought extra wax, which brought the price per block down considerably.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
Wow, iajewel, i just saw your expected number. In honesty, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way than that which I posted prior. Indeed, with all do respect, having done hundreds of ducks in one season before, I imagine one would risk extreme frustration.

We have found that everything depends on having the set up flow smoothly.

 

[speedy2020]

I know this is old post, but have to ask. I tried hand pluck 2 twice and just take too long & not really clean. Have anyone used Wizbang or similar tub plucker for duck?