Wizbang Chicken Plucker

[Germaine_11.20]

Well, I guess it can be a good winter project. Mechanical things just make my eyes cross.
But my 15 year old son is mechanically inclined (just thought of this!) so I will get his help.

Jaku, do I need to take down the killing cone over the winter? I have it screwed in and would like to just leave it there. But I will take it down if you say so.

 

[jaku]

Quote:
I keep mine inside- they're galvanized, so it will probably be ok, but it will definitely last longer if you bring it in. I mount mine onto a post/board that I pound into the ground when I'm processing, but leave in the garage otherwise. I made two for myself when I started, and am still using the same two.

 

[Peruvian]

Quote:
Here's mine.

Try the search feature for more.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Wow, that is a great looking machine. I hope I can get mine to look a little like that.

Thanks Jaku that is a good idea about putting on a removable post. I will bring it in.

 

[NurseNettie]

I see in the background, your restraining cones are plastic jugs. How does that workfor you? How big a bird can you restrain in them? We make pickled eggs by the gallon and always have plastic vinegar jugs hanging around-- this might be a very cool idea to use them!

 

[Whispering Winds]

I have a copy of "ANYONE CAN BUILD A TUB-STYLE MECHANICAL CHICKEN PLUCKER" and while its 60 pages, I would be glad to scan and email it to anyone. I bought from a fella here on BYC, and while I don't know if I will ever get it done, I sure have all the info to do it with in this book. Just PM me. Might have to send it in batches, but will happy to try!!!

 

[Peruvian]

Quote:
Milk jugs work fine for birds in the 8lb live and below range (a little tight for the big ones). It takes two of us to get them in - one to hold the wings in and the other to hold the birds feet and lower it in. The gallon vinegar jugs are much narrower and taller so they don't work as well.

I'd like to buy some of jaku's metal cones some day but I just can't justify the $50 or so until my other equipment pays for itself first.

 

[Sam208]

Peruvian

that a nice looking plucker

what is the HP on your motor????




sam208

 

[ChanceRider]

Peruvian, great job on the plucker! Looking at the pic, it looks like you didn't use a barrel for the "drum". What did you use and where did you buy it? I can only hope mine comes out even half as nice as yours!

 

[Peruvian]

The motor is a 3/4 hp farm duty.

The plastic sheeting is from Herrick Kimball (I ordered it along with the instructions, feather plate, fingers, 16" pulley, etc).