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2.5 weeks and we'll have those feathers flying.
First four are getting HUGE! Next 6 have varying results on size, 4 are progressing nicely, including one with a deformed leg and is the smallest, and another just looks like it is a week behind. 15-20 more arrive 4/27. |
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2.5 weeks and we'll have those feathers flying. First four are getting HUGE! Next 6 have varying results on size, 4 are progressing nicely, including one with a deformed leg and is the smallest, and another just looks like it is a week behind. 15-20 more arrive 4/27. You can't butcher handicap chickens.  ..............................The queen will have you thrown in jail.
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You fuckers are a tough crowd. 
4" PVC cap, carriage bolt cut off somwhat plus two matching nuts and washers, 2x36" bungie cords cut into 3" pieces, then trimmed down except for the end that is inside the cap. Truncated the ends so that I could grab them with the pliers and pull them through. Sanded them with some 50 grit to take off the shine. |
How do you use the plucker? Hold the chicken to it and let the feathers fly?  Thinking the feathers are firmly stuck to the chicken. For some reason I'm thinking the chicken is dunk into hot water first to loosen up the feathers, then it gets put to the chicken plucker. |
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Imagine a washing machine, but the tub doesn't move. In place of an agitator, there is a plate at the bottom that spins. Both the tub and plate have plucking fingers attached. Chickens get dropped in and are tumbled about, plucking the feathers.
1. Bleed chicken in a killing cone. They die in about 2 minutes, calmly. 2. Scald chicken in 145-150 degree water with a bit of soap in it to break the surface tension, allowing a full wetting, for 45-60 seconds. 3. Dunk chicken in ice water, check feathers for easy release. Ice bath stops scald, prevent tearing of skin. 4. Repeat scalding if necessary. 5. Turn on plucker and drop in birds. 6. Spray with water. 7. Check birds after 20 second, continue plucking if needed or return to scald. 8. Remove birds and dress them out. Place in ice bath. 9. Let rest for 24-48 hours, package and/or eat. Featherman Pro Courteous and helpful. |
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Replacement fingers @ 75 cents /each
finger this 1 1/2 hp washdown motor give it a spin 1:10 gear reducer got gears ? the rest is easy. 
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How to build a whiz bang chicken plucker
Already ahead of you. This one uses a belt, pulley and idler, and a 3/4 hp motor. It needs to operate at 175 RPM. The thing is, I could build one for about $300-400, depending on new/used scrounged parts, etc. Processing 10 birds, my drill mounted plucker wouldn't be an issue. Processing 100+ birds would be an issue. People also rent these out at $45-50 per weekend. |
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How to build a whiz bang chicken plucker Already ahead of you. This one uses a belt, pulley and idler, and a 3/4 hp motor. It needs to operate at 175 RPM. The thing is, I could build one for about $300-400, depending on new/used scrounged parts, etc. Processing 10 birds, my drill mounted plucker wouldn't be an issue. Processing 100+ birds would be an issue. People also rent these out at $45-50 per weekend. I'm sure it would work. BUT I would be more than a little concerned about childrens fingers and an open belt drive system, also an ODP frame motor in an area that is spitting out water and chicken feathers sounds like a real winner., a TEFC frame motor would be a much better choice. 3/4 horse may be enough horse power, but sometimes more is just better.
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How to build a whiz bang chicken plucker Already ahead of you. This one uses a belt, pulley and idler, and a 3/4 hp motor. It needs to operate at 175 RPM. The thing is, I could build one for about $300-400, depending on new/used scrounged parts, etc. Processing 10 birds, my drill mounted plucker wouldn't be an issue. Processing 100+ birds would be an issue. People also rent these out at $45-50 per weekend. I'm sure it would work. BUT I would be more than a little concerned about childrens fingers and an open belt drive system, also an ODP frame motor in an area that is spitting out water and chicken feathers sounds like a real winner., a TEFC frame motor would be a much better choice. 3/4 horse may be enough horse power, but sometimes more is just better. I understand where you are going, and I agree, but I wouldn't have to do all the engineering on a Whizbang. It has essentially been done already with thousands already in use. Motor usually sits off to the side in a protective housing folks add. I would gladly offer a number of chickens if you have the mechanical experience to put the linkage together. I would essentially build the machine down to the drive shaft, purchase the motor and reduction gear, and then have you inspect, let me know what additional parts I need, I'd purchase those, and then we would do the final assemble of the deal together. Let me know if you possess said skils and have an interest. 1GR, I'd be happy to have you tag along. These folks haven't butchered much, and I have those skills down fairly well. It is only the function of the machine I want to check out, and if so, I plan on doing 2 batches of 25 next year. I would take pictures of their machine and incorporate those features into whatever I build. I'm great at copying things. Just need to see it. He is a pastor, and seemed like a decent fellow. The date we have worked out is May 2nd for our attempt at chicken pummelling, afternoon. Work for you? |
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Take a two-fisted grip over the shoulder bones on the back. Pul violently to each side. The skin will rip. Pull it all the way off. Done. That skin and all the fat is not good for you. These are Omega 3 chickens. Fat is good. I'll skin a few that I bone out and butcher down to meat, but these mini-turkeys deserve to have their skin on. I can hardly wait to have my mother-in-law make me some good old Arkansas style fried chicken. My first 4 are getting to be beasts. |
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OK. I love chicken skin and the resulting "juiciness" (read "fat').
Have you ever tried a properly boned chicken done "al mattone" on a grill? Spectacular. The Italian boning technique is the key. The first time, you will call me names and say, "never again!' After, you will admit, "Hmmm . . ." |
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Link to video plucker
That thing is so damn simple. Just measured a 55 gal food grade plastic barrel 22 -23 inches dia. Their Featherman plucker 22 inches in dia.
Cut the bottom out of the barrel, bolt on a 1/4" plate with a 2" hole in the center and weld on this bushing link it will mate up to the output shaft of the gear reducer, gear reducer bolts directly to the washdown motor. All you need is a frame to mount the barrel, the motor/ gear box, some keystock, and a water tight electrical fitting to the motor, a switch (waterproof) would be a nice touch. Not much to engineer.
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I know, that is why I am building one. I want to see how it works, and I'll take some pictures of it while I'm there to see how it works and the parts fit together. Like you, I want to make sure I don't electrocute myself.
Once it is complete, I'll be one stylin' chicken pluckin' motherfucker. If Matt45 doesn't kill all of his birds, I might even let him borrow it.
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I know, that is why I am building one. I wouldn't bother, I am going to buy one of RoadKill's $99 ones. I would think if we bought two, we should get them for about $75 ea. If Matt45 doesn't kill all of his birds, I might even let him borrow it.
Ohhh that's gonna leave a mark. 
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I know, that is why I am building one. I wouldn't bother, I am going to buy one of RoadKill's $99 $999.00 ones. I would think if we bought two, we should get them for about $75 $850.00 ea.
ETA : My input was only to try and lend some advise, I just see a bolt together C-face motor / gear reducer combo that you can mount the spinning platform direct to the output shaft of the gear reducer as being much simpler (but a little more money), it saves the hassle of trying to come up with a belt tensioner to reduce slip, the alignment issues that could arise and the risk to little fingers. The washdown motor just made sense as it is designed for pressure washer type exposures and with no exterior fan and smooth exterior surface, it shouldn't catch and eat feathers. |
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Okay, got the mod 1 mark 2 chicken plucker going. Had a bird get injured last night, don't know how, but the others were severly whooping on it, so the little rooster got to be the first to meet my killing cone, the scalder, and the chicken plucker.
You tube link The mutherfuckin' chicken pluckin' will begin. Now how do I get that video youtubey thing to show up? [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XqVibWk-k[/video] |
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I noticed you playing with the speed control on your drill.
Another way to do the speed control thing is to get a light dimmer switch (either sliding or rotating) and stick it in a double gang box with a outlet wired into it in the box, I had to make one up to control the speed of a 1/2 inch drill so I could re-spool some welding wire onto 8 inch spools. (Picture available if needed) |
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Quoted: Okay, got the mod 1 mark 2 chicken plucker going. Had a bird get injured last night, don't know how, but the others were severly whooping on it, so the little rooster got to be the first to meet my killing cone, the scalder, and the chicken plucker. You tube link The mutherfuckin' chicken pluckin' will begin. Now how do I get that video youtubey thing to show up? [video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XqVibWk-k[/video] [url=http://[video:youtube]]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XqVibWk-k[/video] [/url] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XqVibWk-k  |
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I noticed you playing with the speed control on your drill. Another way to do the speed control thing is to get a light dimmer switch (either sliding or rotating) and stick it in a double gang box with a outlet wired into it in the box, I had to make one up to control the speed of a 1/2 inch drill so I could re-spool some welding wire onto 8 inch spools. (Picture available if needed) I used a cable cuff to hold the drill speed in place. If I ever use it for some medium scale production, I'll attach it to a power strip, on and off is all I need once speed is set. Thanks for posting the video. What is the trick? |
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Quoted: Thanks for posting the video. What is the trick? 1. In your profile, make sure you use the full featured editor. 2. Copy the YouTube video link 3. Choose the Flash button in the editor when posting/replying to insert the video link 4. Paste in the link 5. Click OK to return to text editing 6. You'll see a big yellow rectangle (without preview during editing) as a place holder Hope this helps. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Thanks for posting the video. What is the trick? 1. In your profile, make sure you use the full featured editor. 2. Copy the YouTube video link 3. Choose the Flash button in the editor when posting/replying to insert the video link 4. Paste in the link 5. Click OK to return to text editing 6. You'll see a big yellow rectangle (without preview during editing) as a place holder Hope this helps. This is a test. . . . . . .It works, .............................learned something new today. Now back to regular programing.
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SCORE!
It turns out that the local conservation district has a complete chicken processing set up that you can rent for $20. Kill cones, scalder, and plucker. I have mine reserved for the weekend of the 18th of June when my chickens turn 8 weeks!
I need to find that old cartoon where the chicken is telling the interviewer, " he may be Col. Sanders to you, but to us he is Adolf Eichmann" 
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Quoted: When children are around we prefer to refer to him as the "Chicken Lover"  Yes, the folks at work have brought up the "chicken lover" episode. Plucker victim before.  Plucker victim after.  Next victims in 8 , 30 and 35 weeks.  Yes, that is a RonCo Compact Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ oven. As cheesy as the commercials are, the thing freekin' rocks. So sorry you are jealous. |