Processing tools and equipment

[horsesNchicks]

Thanks everyone

 

[horsesNchicks]

I just made my investment in processing materials and here is what I bought:

Plucker - $548.00 +shipping
fish filet table $69.00 -
kill cone $28.00
boning knives $15.92
shrink bags $34.95

Links should work. I already have a huge stock pot and propane burner for scalding, and plan to air cool before bagging in a huge chest freezer with a temperature controller.

Thank you so much. Did you find the plucker to be worth it? I am thinking anything to speed up the process. I am green at this so it will take me a long time to process 25 even with help.

 

[bailad]

If you're getting a plucker, that is one thing I would definitely not be cheap about. A good plucker will save you tons of time, especially if you eventually end up doing larger quantities of birds. A low-quality plucker won't do a good job and may lead to broken wings, torn skin, etc.

You don't need expensive knives, but buy a good sharpener that is easy to use.
Traffic cones make great kill cones for cheap. I suggest getting a table, cutting holes in it, and then placing the cones in the holes.

 

[Molpet]

I just made my investment in processing materials and here is what I bought:

Plucker - $548.00 +shipping
fish filet table $69.00 -
kill cone $28.00
boning knives $15.92
shrink bags $34.95

Links should work. I already have a huge stock pot and propane burner for scalding, and plan to air cool before bagging in a huge chest freezer with a temperature controller.

I had CX and BR that didn't fit in the metal cone.. I seen on BYC where someone made one from a kitty litter jug, 3 screws to the support w/a large washer.. I keep them both up and if the bird doesn't fir in one it goes in the other LOL .. I process a few at a time as I need them usually.

 

[Kabouter]

I am actually doing ducks, and bought a larger cone as well. I think you should by or make a cone sized to hold whatever poultry you are processing.

 

[Mosey2003]

If there are other backyard chicken people in your area you could possibly rent a plucker out a day at a time, so that would offset the initial cost.

 

[horsesNchicks]

If there are other backyard chicken people in your area you could possibly rent a plucker out a day at a time, so that would offset the initial cost.

Wow that is a great idea. I am new to chickens but will put it out there in our local ranchers and farmers FB groups. Thanks

 

[Mosey2003]

Wow that is a great idea. I am new to chickens but will put it out there in our local ranchers and farmers FB groups. Thanks

No problem. I've seen it lots of places that people will do this, some have a little trailer with plucker, scalder, cones, etc that they bring. If I were going to do more than 10 at a time I would definitely pay a little to rent a scalder and plucker.

 

[orrpeople]

We helped friends do 125+ birds... the plucker was worth its weight in gold!!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I skin all mine since we rarely eat whole or bone-in chicken. I have a stump with three screws drilled into it to set the neck in and stretch the neck out. A hatchet from TSC that cost less than $10. I use my regular kitchen knives, mainly just a butcher knife and a smaller paring knife, and a cutting board. A trash can to throw stuff in until I dump it in the field for the vultures and whatever else. I do two batches of clean water and when I finish one it goes into one tub of water, when i finish the next I move the previous to a clean batch of water, dump the dirty water and refill and toss the more recent one in. In that way each is soaked twice in clean cool water. When I'm done they are stuffed into a stock pot and slow cooked until all the meat falls off. The meat is collected and cooled, then used that night or vacuum sealed and frozen. The bones stay in the pot and some vegetables like onion and carrot and seasonings are added and I make broth, which is also frozen.