Category Archives: Poultry processing Equipments

13 Homemade Chicken Pluckers on a Budget

When it comes to raising chickens for food, one of the tasks that can be a bit of a hassle is plucking their feathers. I remember when I first started raising chickens on my family’s farm, plucking feathers by hand took so much time and effort. That’s where homemade chicken pluckers come in handy – they make the job much easier and quicker.

Having your own chicken plucking machine might seem unconventional to some, but for those of us who rely on home-raised chickens for sustenance or for someone living off the grid and relying heavily on backyard chickens for daily protein, it’s incredibly practical. I’ve found that especially when living off the grid, where resources might be limited, a homemade chicken plucker can be a game-changer. It not only saves time but also ensures efficiency in processing poultry for daily meals.

Scouring through those DIY chicken plucker plans reminds me of the time I spent researching and experimenting to find the best design for my own homemade plucker. I remember feeling accomplished when I finally built one that suited my needs perfectly. With these plans, you’ll have a head start in creating your own efficient and cost-effective chicken plucker.

1: The Jack McGee Homemade Chicken Plucker

With a few pieces of scrap wood and some leftover PVC pipe, Jack McGee created his own budget-friendly homemade chicken plucker by grit. We recommend this to those who have a small flock of fowls, it works fast, cleans easily and is small enough to store easily. If you are recycling materials you have on hand to build this DIY chicken plucker, it could end up costing you nothing for out-out-pocket expenses.

Build a DIY chicken plucker, image via: grit

2: Homemade Whizbang

At number second we are showing you the DIY chicken plucker by backyardpoultrymag that uses a 55 gallon, food grade plastic barrel, a few 2×4‘s, rubber ‘fingers’ and a 3/4 horsepower motor to do all the feather plucking for you. Patterned after the original Whizbang plucker, these plans allow you to build your own homemade whizbang from scavenged and recycled parts. You may also like to check out homemade egg incubators for hatching of chicken eggs.

Homemade Whizbang plucker, image via: backyardpoultry

3: Barrel Chicken Plucker

Having raised meat birds myself, I know firsthand the importance of having a feather plucker to streamline the processing. One by one, plucking feathers can be exhausting, but with a homemade plucker, it becomes much more manageable.

I’ve found that using a 55-gallon barrel to create a homemade chicken plucker as demonstrated on YouTube, is not only efficient but also cost-effective. Based on my experience, I highly recommend this method, especially for homesteads processing multiple chickens for preservation.

What I love about this homemade plucker is its simplicity in both construction and operation. It’s a practical solution that doesn’t break the bank, and its mobility makes it easy to store when not in use. I’ve used it for various homestead birds like turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, and ducks, and it’s proven to be reliable every time.

4: Drum Homemade Chicken Plucker

Having had hands-on experience with the drum plucker like this one designed by friendlypastures, I can attest to its efficiency in swiftly removing feathers from chickens or ducks. This homemade chicken plucker is a time-saver, allowing you to complete feather removal in just a matter of seconds. By following the detailed instructions provided, you’ll gain the expertise to transform an old plastic drum, along with a few other components, into a functional and productive feather plucking device.

Drum Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: friendlypastures

5: The $6 Homemade Chicken Plucker

Having explored various DIY options, I stumbled upon a clever plan by livingthefrugallife, transforming simple materials like a drill, PVC pipe end caps, and bungee cords into an incredibly affordable chicken plucker, costing just $6. This homemade plucker offers unmatched economy without compromising efficiency – it’s portable, inexpensive, and gets the job done swiftly. From my own experimentation, I’ve found that with a bit of practice and perhaps some assistance, mastering the use of this budget-friendly plucker becomes second nature. Additionally, if you’re interested in poultry processing, it might be worth looking into other poultry processing equipment to enhance your setup further.

Plan to build a $6 Chicken Plucker, image via: livingthefrugallife

6: Achorn Farm Homemade Chicken Plucker

A 55-gallon, food grade plastic barrel, an old snow blower gear box , some scrap wood and the most expensive component – rubber fingers – created this economical diy chicken plucker for usage on Achorn Farms by achornfarm While the rubber finger costs $120 (including shipping and handling) for this DIY chicken plucker, you can purchase them or make them yourself much cheaper.

Achorn Farm Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: achornfarm

7: Cowgirl Homemade Chicken Plucker

I’ve always believed in making the most of what’s available, which is why Cowgirl’s approach resonated with me. Her cowgirl chicken plucker, crafted for under 50 dollars, proves that efficiency doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Drawing from my experience, I suggest following her straightforward chicken plucker plans, which ingeniously incorporate everyday items like a pizza pan and belt. With Cowgirl’s guidance, anyone can replicate this budget-friendly and effective feather plucker.

Cowgirl Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: cowgirlscountry

8: Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker

This one claims to be the DIY chicken plucker that started it all back in 1999 and inventor, Herrick Kimball, willingly shares all his building plans and knowledge with all who are interested. Buy his book of step-by-step plans for building the Whizbang Chicken Plucker by whizbangplucker and visit his website to purchase any needed parts for the DIY chicken plucker.

Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: whizbangplucker

9: Washing Machine Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker

This unique idea recycles an old washing machine by blogs while creating an entirely new tool that will remove the feathers from chickens, ducks, turkeys or geese in a matter of seconds. Instead of hauling that old washing machine to the landfill (where it will take decades to

Washing Machine Whizbang Chicken Plucker, image via: blogs

10: Washing Machine Plucker

Repurposing an old washing machine into a homemade chicken plucker is a brilliant idea that I’ve seen in action. By utilizing the drum and some electrical components, you can create an efficient feather plucking machine right in your backyard. I’ve watched the YouTube video demonstrating this DIY project, and it’s impressive how quickly and effectively the chicken is plucked, saving time and effort in the meat processing stage. Following the step-by-step instructions in the video, you can build your own washing machine plucker for less than $100, which is perfect for homesteads dealing with multiple chickens at once.

11: $20 Chicken Plucker

I’ve had the chance to try out the $20 chicken plucker designed by mycrafts, and it’s truly remarkable how quickly it cleans off all the feathers from a harvested chicken. This homemade chicken plucker, constructed from a 55-gallon plastic barrel, a few 2x4s, and an electric motor, is both easy and affordable to build while being incredibly efficient in feather removal. Keeping the skin on your chickens adds flavor and retains essential fats, making it a popular choice among homesteaders, and this plucker ensures that task is a breeze, leaving you with perfectly prepared poultry for frying.

When considering the cost of store-bought chicken pluckers, which can run up to $500, it’s clear that opting for a DIY approach is the way to go. By following the instructions provided in the video, you can save a significant amount of money while still achieving the same results. Building your own chicken plucker machine for just $20 is not only cost-effective but also a practical investment for any homestead looking to streamline their poultry processing workflow.

Chicken plucker machine made with a 55-gallon plastic barrel, image via: mycrafts

12: Drill Poultry Plucker

Having personally experienced the efficiency of homemade chicken pluckers, I can confidently say that once you start using one, you’ll wonder why you didn’t build it sooner. To get started, head over to this YouTube video where you can find all the instructions you need to construct your own DIY plucker. Using rubber chicken plucking fingers attached to a cylindrical piece of wood powered by a drill, you’ll be amazed at how quickly and effortlessly the feathers are removed from the harvested bird, making the cleaning process a breeze.

If you’re tired of the discomfort and time-consuming nature of manual feather plucking, I highly recommend investing in a drill poultry plucker. Not only is it fast, easy, and inexpensive to build, but it also drastically reduces the time and effort required for feather removal. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to plucking by hand again.

13: Table Top Mounted Plucker

Having explored various homemade chicken pluckers, I stumbled upon barefootones’ ingenious design, which offers a nearly cost-free solution using scrap materials and a drill. Unlike traditional pluckers, this tabletop model allows for hands-free operation, making it efficient and convenient for poultry processing.

This tabletop drill plucker not only saves time and effort but also ensures versatility, as it can be used for ducks and turkeys as well. By following the detailed video instructions, you can construct this plucker with ease, avoiding the sore hands that often accompany manual feather removal.

Table Top Mounted Plucker, image via: barefootones

Conclusion

Birds’ skin is very tasty as it contains all the rich elements that make it delicious to eat. But the problem is how to remove the feathers of chickens as it needs a lot of hard work. Homemade chicken pluckers can help you to speed up the processing of feather removal.

You can make any of these chicken pluckers we have shared with you that you find easy and best suits your needs. Hope you like our article! Please don’t forget to share your diy plucker once you have made up!

References:

Academia.edu, by Briggs Martins Ogunedo, “Design of an Efficient Low Cost Poultry Feather Plucker Machine”, https://www.academia.edu/35545767/Design_of_an_Efficient_Low_Cost_Poultry_Feather_Plucker_Machine

Researchgate, May 2018, “Development of a Defeathering Machine from Locally Sourced Materials”, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344430484_Development_of_a_Defeathering_Machine_from_Locally_Sourced_Materials

Copyblogger, “The “Chicken Plucking” Secret of Success”, https://copyblogger.com/chicken-plucking-success/, https://copyblogger.com/chicken-plucking-success/

Poultry Processing Equipments and suppliers

In the past 40 years, a number of technologies and techniques have been introduced into the domain of poultry processing equipment. The products obtained from the processing are targeted for sales in a number of markets and settings all around the world. The increase in the poultry processing equipment companies and suppliers is based on the technical capabilities, market demand and the overall economic scenario. The market demands in the present times are highly variable, as they are based on the ethnic and religious settings of a particular area. Poultry processing makes use of a number of devices and machines, the details of which are mentioned below. The equipment includes slaughter equipment, chicken plucking equipment, poultry slaughtering and various machines for chicken processing.

Poultry Plucker

Pluckers are used to pluck off the feathers off any bird. There are varying types of pluckers and machines that are now available in the market. The prices of these machines vary on the basis of their performance e.g. the deluxe plucker is able to pluck off the feathers from a chicken in a matter of 30 seconds. Same is the case with tabletop plucker which makes use of an efficient torque to complete the plucking process in a more agile way.

Poultry Scalders

This machine is used to scald ducks, chickens and all other animals which are used in the farm house setting. It makes use of a number of temperature control mechanisms and devices designed to complete the process quickly. All these machines ensure that the picking comes in quite easy and more quickly. Some of the best poultry slaughtering machine suppliers offer these machines at quite expensive rates, but these machines are in fact quite useful for keeping the quality of processing intact and top notch.

Poultry Cutter and De-feathering Machines

These machines are used to wither off the feathers and then process the meat in its best form. For cutting the chicken and turkey meat, a number of different devices are used depending on the meat to be processed. The meat that is obtained after the procedure is completed is then sent forward to the next phase of the manufacturing process. Not to forget that the machines vary in their capacity for cutting the animals simultaneously.

Killing Cone and Drum Plucker

The Poultry killing cones are used to dispatch a chicken or a flock of chicken in a various forms. For this purpose, the cone is designed by making use of a container that is open at both ends. The top end is more open and large so that a chicken or any other farm animal can be inserted into it. After the chicken is killed, the neck and other parts from the body of the chicken protrude to the bottom end. The Drum Plucker on the other hand is more of an automated nature which is sued for stunned and all other scaled chickens. The use of these pluckers is indeed vital when it comes to professional poultry meat processing.

Poultry Processing Bags

After the initial phases have been completed, the meat and all other food items are finally conserved in the poultry processing bags. The use of the best quality bags indeed comes to effectuate the sales of the meat. Always prefer to make use of the durable and strong processing bags, manufactured by the best companies and suppliers in the market.

Top 5 poultry processing equipments suppliers

A Guide To Poultry Processing Plants -Top 5 Suppliers

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Poultry processing makes use of a number of processing plants and equipment. The poultry dressing plants vary in their limits and types depending on the particular class of domesticated animals to be processed in them. The larger sized broiler processing plants process chickens and other related animals at a high rate of 10000 on an hourly basis, which goes to nearly 1 million or more on a weekly basis. In comparison to the larger ones, the smaller plants make use of some limited devices and equipment which are sufficient for processing a smaller amount of birds. Chicken slaughtering is just a part of the many steps that are involved in the poultry slaughtering process. Here are some of the units involved in the slaughtering chicken process.

Conveyorized Poultry Dressing /Slaughter Plant

The slaughter plants are the units in which the animals are slaughtered and prepared for the first steps in the meat manufacturing process. The plant is also referred to as the chicken slaughtering machine. They are found all over the world with the largest one being located in North Carolina.

Live Bird Handling

The efficiency of the poultry processing is determined by the live bird handling system. All the processes that take place in the broiler house are all regarded as the part of the live bird handling processes and mechanisms. Killing and de-feathering of the chickens, turkeys, and all other animals is also done in the plants by making use of poultry pluckers and scalders. It is followed by the cut-up, deboning and slicing processes in which the meat is cut down into several parts according to the requirements of the consumers and the markets.

Evisceration, Chilling, Grading and Distribution

The next step in the poultry slaughtering is evisceration which involves the removal of some of the vital organs from the animal’s body. These parts are then conserved through the process of chilling which is also important for long term storage of the meat. In addition, the processes of meat grading ensure that the quality of output is maintained and that the consumers always get the best quality. The distribution follows on after all the initial processes have been done.

Meat Harvesting

The process of meat harvesting involves the transportation of the meat from the place of origin to the abattoir which is followed by stunning and the slaughtering phases. The process of chilling, packaging of the meat and all the related products is one of the last steps of the manufacturing processes. The processes of stunning is intended to knock out the animal unconscious before killing the animal. In almost all of the countries, these processes are manufactured and analyzed by the health inspectors from time to time in order to maintain the quality of the meat that reaches the market. Furthermore, they also monitor the equipment which is used in the manufacturing process in order to ensure that all of the devices and processes are in close compliance with the set hygiene standards.

Marinating and Tumbling

Both of these processes are involved in seasoning the meat for the days that are going to follow. The prime reason for marinating and tumbling the meat is to give a more desirable taste to the meat and for the removal of any undesirable odor coming from the meat. A number of injections systems are used to inject marinade into the meat, especially into all the stronger parts. Then it is followed by the tumbling phases which are designed to remove any remaining salts and soluble proteins which gather at the surface of the meat. Tumbler massagers and devices are used for carrying out the job by creating some mechanical agitation over the meat.

Cooling and Freezing

Cooling and freezing are done by making use of some standard temperature and materials like liquid nitrogen with the purpose of conserving the meat. These processes are essential for keeping the meat flawless and ever tasty.

End of Line Packaging

The end of line processing and packaging system is directed towards the completion of the packing process and to give a final presentation to the packed meat. The meat is weighed before and after the packaging process due to a number of reasons relating to profits and sales.

Internal Logistics

The internal logistics serve as an essential component of the entire supply chain. It is one of the core components of all the profitable enterprises. The mechanism also ensures that all the steps and processes are performed in an integrated manner with a strong coordination between the manufacturer and the retail outlets.

Use of Meat Processing Software

The meat processing and distribution software have been designed for facilitating the poultry processing plants and manufacturers to keep track of the products and for a number of other sales and safety measures. By making use of these systems, the companies are better able to manage all their inventories.