What are peoples experience using chicken pluckers? Are they worth the expense? Are some types better than other types? Are there any websites where one might find used equipment of this nature? Thanks for the help.

-- Ray in SE WA (muddywells@yahoo.com), February 03, 2002

Answers

I really like mine, I've had it so long, I purchased it at a farm auction and I'm not sure what brand it is. It's a floor model. It really saves time, especially when you have several chickens to pluck. First you dip the chickens in the hot water to loosen the feathers, then hold it over the fingers on the plucker, the fingers strip the feathers off while you turn the bird. The only thing you have to watch is the water temp. If it's too hot, the plucker will strip the skin off of the bird too. I don't know of a website that has used pluckers, maybe ebay. They are getting SO expensive! Hope this helps!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 03, 2002.

I forgot to add, these pluckers look like they would be easy to build. They just consist of a round cylinder with rubber fingers and a small motor to turn them. Maybe you could find a source for replacement fingers and build your own. Just a thought. Best of luck!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 03, 2002.

Ray, you can build them, I have never seen one but have read that people use old washers with the rubber fingers inserted in them. I just know someone on this forum will know how to.

-- Carol K (ck7951@bluefrognet.net), February 03, 2002.

cowgirl would you happen to know what the rpm is on that motor. I know that you can buy replacement fingers for the origanal, but I was thinking about making some kind of attachment for my grinder. Just take the grinder auger off and put on the finger attachment. Then maybe I would have a plucker of my own.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 03, 2002.

Sure do hope someone comes thru with the info. I'd like to build one myself, later on down the line.

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), February 03, 2002.

r.h. I don't know the rpm, but I will check in the morning and let you know. I sure think they would be easy to make and save everyone a bundle! I'll get back to you!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 03, 2002.

I did a web search, & it refered me back to this forum, 2001 there was a thread or 2 that talked about the washing machine plucker & a couple web stes....

Near me a local ag welding business got to be known for their chicken pluckers in the 70s & 80s, even ads on the radio. Schweiss Chicken Pluckers of the Gibbon, MN area. They have moved on to bi-fold doors & other things I believe, but they did make a bunch of the pluckers.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

r.h., the RPM on the chicken plucker motor is 1725. It's a 1/4 HP motor. I hope you can make an attachment for your grinder! That would be handy and save you a bundle. Oh- where can you buy replacement fingers? I forgot to mention, when I use the plucker, I spread a large tarp down on the ground and point the plucker towards a wall or garage door. This helps a lot in the clean-up. Then just fold the tarp up with the wet feathers and dispose as you like. Then hose the tarp off for next time. Best of luck!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.

Thank you all for the help. I have found a couple of leads which I am pursuing. I just happen to have the old washing machine around so there is hope. thanks again, Ray

-- Ray in SE WA (muddywells@yahoo.com), February 04, 2002.

These machines should be refered to as defeathering units as the are ofen used for very small birds (quail) to very large ones like turkies and larger. A drom speed of 1750 RPM is way to fast. I have a unit that has 105 fingers and can handle birds from chickens to ostrich, it has a one horse motor.

-- Bob S. (tundra@rangenet.com), February 05, 2002.