by Susan Carter |
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Table of Contents
Got Chickens? Get Plucking!
If you raise chickens for the table, you know how important a good, clean pluck is. If you’re a small-scale producer, breeding for more than just your own needs, however, hand-plucking can take forever – and time, as they say, is money!
The following reviews feature both out-of-the-box-functional and drill-mounted chicken pluckers, so you can choose the best method to de-feather your birds.
Chicken Pluckers Up Close
#1: Josas 24 Finger Chicken Plucker
The Josas 24 Finger is a drill-mounted chicken plucker that is ideal for those rearing chickens just for their own table, or for small-scale producers. You will need to have a drill already, or purchase one alongside the chicken plucker, and, when in use, you’ll need to ensure the drill is clamped down tight.
The fingers of the Josas are rubber, and easy to clean, and once you’ve got the knack, you should be able to de-feather a small bird in under a minute.
Pros:
- Well made
- Good for small-scale producers and home-growers
Cons:
- Heavy and awkward
- Need to have a drill in order to use
Value For Money?
In comparison to larger, fully automatic chicken pluckers, this is a very good price, and, if you already have a drill (which, let’s face it, most small holders will), it’s ready to go.
If you’re raising chickens mostly for your own table, you don’t want to be spending a lot of money, and, with the Josas, you don’t have to.
- Highest quality plucking fingers, made from special rubber (food safe). Designed for defeathering big poultry like chicken, broiler, duck,...
- Our customers admire white rubber for the maximum softness and elasticity. Our Chicken Defeathering Machine gently removes feather without...
- This plucker drill attachment has food grade tin coating. Our plucker fingers meet European standards on materials and articles intended to...
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#2: EZPlucker EZ 151
The EZPlucker EZ 151 is an automatic chicken plucker (no drill required!) that is at the top end of the price bracket, and so may appeal more to those producing birds for market on a regular basis.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Well made
Cons:
- Not suitable for game birds or turkeys
Value For Money?
For a larger producer who is focusing on chickens, this may be a worthwhile investment.
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#3: Yardbird Chicken Plucker
The Yardbird Chicken Plucker is a mid-priced automatic plucker, which features an integral irrigation system, ensuring that your plucked bird is washed down and ready to cook straight out of the plucker. The irrigation system works from a standard garden hose, and a hose connector is included.
The Yardbird is easy to transport and store, being small and relatively lightweight.
Pros:
- Easy to transport and store
- Integral irrigation system
- Well made
Cons:
- Not suitable for turkeys
Value For Money?
This is a good-quality, mid-priced plucker for the small holder or boutique producer.
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#4: Mophorn Poultry Plucker
The Mophorn Poultry Plucker is a very reasonably priced plucker, although it is designed more for very small birds, such as doves and quails.
Pros:
- Affordable
Cons:
- Only suited to very small birds
Value For Money?
While this wouldn’t be suitable for someone rearing chickens, if quail, dove, or wood pigeon is your meat of choice, this is a reasonably priced investment. An ideal option for the outdoorsman.
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#5: Power Plucker Kit
Finally, the Power Plucker Kit comes with a medium sized kill cone, which is suitable for most chickens, except the very large breeds (you can buy different cone sizes separately, however), and a Swedish knife.
This, like the Josas, is a drill-mounted plucker, and it is worth noting that the knife blade is not stainless steel, and therefore will need to be thoroughly cleaned and dried after each kill.
Pros:
- Plucker is 26 gauge steel, for increased durability
- Comes with practical accessories
Cons:
- Knife is not stainless steel, and is prone to rust
- Plucker is not as effective as others on the market
Value For Money?
With the Power Plucker, it is a case of “you get what you pay for”. This is a very affordable plucker, and my suit someone who is simply looking to prepare the occasional bird for their own table. A producer of any scale, however, would be better off investing a little more in a more efficient model.
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So What’s the Best Chicken Plucker?
For the smallholder, the Josas 24 Finger Plucker, while requiring a drill to operate, is the best all-round poultry de-featherer, as it offers the versatility of plucking several varieties of birds, while other pluckers are designed more for smaller breeds of chickens, specifically. The Josas is also an affordable plucker, and therefore a good buy for those with only a modest income from their birds.