Processing Guinea's

[Hlivestcok]

I'm struggling to find the best way to get all the feathers off as cleanly as other birds. Has anybody found an easy way to pluck a guinea. Ive tried different temperatures and times on the scalding and not having much success, still getting a lot of pin feathers and turning out to be a poor looking carcass. Any idea's lemme know, I've got about a hundred i should have already processed!

 

[ConchRepublic]

Wax bath? Try dipping the carcass in a pot of melted paraffin wax. When you pull the wax off it should pull all feathers off it too.

Not sure if it works on guineas, but worked on everything else I've cleaned.

 

[flyingdragon]

I use a propane turkey cooker and thermometer. Heat h2o to 150•F and add 2 T of liquid dish soap. Keep cool water on hand to maintain temp. Immerse birds totally and massage thoroughly. It helps if you've got heat resistant waterproof glove (elbow length). Turn birds several times for one minute. Check wing feathers for looseness. When they come out remove bird. Try not to leave longer than a minute. If your temp's lower than 150• you can extend for a few secs but only until flight feathers release. Remove and strip feathers. Have cool water near for rinsing. I had good results with this when I processed for the first time. The reference I used recommended soap for ducks but I tried it with my guineas and it worked for me. Washing them off afterwards with a heavy towel removed everything. Clean as store bought. I think consistent temps are the key. Wow, 100! I only did twelve by hand and it was a job. Hope you have a whizbang or a lot of friends to help. Good luck!

 

[greathorse]

temp is very important, too hot and the feathers stick like glue and too cool and the feathers wont slip. It is better to be a few degrees cool than to be a few degrees to hot. If they overheat it is a mess. I agitate in 150 degree water until the feathers on the thigh slip real easy and then pick very quickly.

I did Pith mine and it did seem to help.

good luck

 

[Hlivestcok]

What is the correct age for slaughtering them?I was told by cajun that you have to do it on a moon cycle or something because the way the feathers grow?

 

[greathorse]

There are a lot of folks that slaughter by the moon sign and I cannot remember if they should be slaughtered on a waxing or waning moon. My guess is that it should be on waxing as I think waxing would (according to legend have them bleed out better) I think a quick google would answer your question. The birds that I processed last year were hatched in June and we slaughtered them in Oct so at around 14 - 16 weeks. They are very good to eat. I have done a number of gourmet meals with them and in every case folks thought they were terrific.

Some folks castrate on the moon signs as well. And it is my understanding that it is simply whether you are waxing or waning.

Dig a hole on a waxing moon and try to fill the dirt back in and you will have too much dirt. Do the same on a waning moon and it fits back in nicely. That is the legend I have never tried it or paid much attention.

Not sure I beleive it but many do