The 5 Best Chicken Pluckers

by Susan Carter | Last Updated: January 8, 2022 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

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: Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker

The Yardbird 21833 is our top pick for motorized chicken pluckers in 2022. The motor is 1.5 HP with 300 RPM of spinning force. If you have birds other than chickens, you can also use this for ducks, geese, and waterfowl. The drum is roomy so you can fit 2 birds at the same time and have them ready in less than a minute.

The setup includes an irrigating ring. Connect the machine to your garden hose and all the feathers will be washed away easily. They will collect in the bucket underneath the chute. 

Pros:

• Good performance
• 1.5Hp motor with 300 RPM’s
• Roomy 20″ diameter drum fits 2 small to medium chickens or 1 large bird
• With 100 rubber fingers for removing feathers and dirt
• Drum-sensing safety switch
• Easy feather and debris collection
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Good price

Cons:

• A handle and bigger wheels would have made it easier for transport
• You can’t pluck 2 birds over 7 or 8lb at the same time

#2: 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.

#3: 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.

#4: 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.

#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.

So What’s the Best Chicken Plucker?

For the smallholder, the Yardbird 21833 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. It is also an affordable plucker, and therefore a good buy for those with only a modest income from their birds.