Plucking problems.

[remadl700]

We processed 2 birds this weekend, one pullet and a Cornish x that was 5 months old. The pullet plucked great but the Cornish had these long super fine "Hair/Feathers" that no matter how many times I dipped her in the water they would not come off with the drill plucker. I had to resort to a torch to burn them. I haven't plucked a lot of chickens and wanted to know what I might be doing wrong.

Water temp was 145-160 degrees.

Was it do to the age?
Would I not run into these type of feathers if we did them younger?

 

[petrelline]

Yes, age, and yes, you avoid the hairs by slaughtering earlier. The hairs seem to appear sometime around 16 weeks (although it varies with breed).

Singeing the carcass was a very common way of finishing up a chicken back in the day.

 

[Rod W]

What was the speed of your drill motor, perhaps a faster drill would do these "Older" birds. I have been in email contact with a fellow Plucker in Nicaragua who plucks Muscovies with a 2600 rpm drill motor, which I thought would be quite fast but it worked for him!! I have a speed control installed in my extension cord, allowing me to reduce the speed when I do birds with very thin skin, Thank You, ROD

 

[remadl700]

Quote:
I don't know the exact speed but I tried going fast and it didn't seem to work. Here is a pic of my low tech "Clucker Plucker"