[Squibbs]

Hi,

I'm still somewhat slow at sexing chickens but now I think my 16 have all declared themselves (a couple vocally) and I have 12 boys. I don't mind too much as they end up as ready meals for work, but I don't like plucking them as it gives me painful hands and doing 16 on my week off in a few weeks is looking like a major chore.

I don't think I can afford or justify a proper machine but saw this one: http://www.hunting-lodge.co.uk/pages/misc/plucker.html I've seen some videos from manufacturers of a similar motor driven plucker working on ducks but does anyone have any real experience of this and is it as good as it's made out to be?

Thanks

[Sassy]

Sorry cannot help with technical stuff.

I know it goes against the grain for many but re plucking consider skinning instead and just taking breast and legs.

[joyfull]

also you can wet pluck - dip the dead chicken in boiling water for a very short time and then pluck whilst still warm. Dry plucking though is best.
Agree with Sassy though - skinning is so quick - I did 3 pheasants this way and it's a doddle 

[8doubles]

Wellspoultry do the plucker fingers at £8.20 + £4 p&p for ten.(e bay)

Then all you need is an old saucepan and a bolt.

And a drill with a lot of grunt