Feather plucker
01-26-2005, 12:51 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 96
Feather plucker
I purchased a feather plucker about 4 years ago to pluck the feathers off of pheasants. That was the last time I used it. The feathers never came off. Has anyone used them and if so, any pointers as to what I might be doing wrong.
LOL. Never heard of one. Been using the thumb and index finger with good success. Got any pictures of this contraption?
01-26-2005, 05:13 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NW Ohio , 5 min from Ottawa National / Magee Marsh
Posts: 2,051
RE: Feather plucker
The 1 I have works great on fresh birds ( I use on ducks & geese) ,it sits on a trashcan to catch the feathers.
If the bird sits around for a few hours it works SO SO.
I soak the birds a few min in soap and water to cut oil on the birds and help stop the down from flying everywere.
If the bird sits around for a few hours it works SO SO.
I soak the birds a few min in soap and water to cut oil on the birds and help stop the down from flying everywere.
01-27-2005, 10:26 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: dell rapids south dakota USA
Posts: 441
RE: Feather plucker
If your picker will not dry pick then you will have to scald them. After you slop them around in soapy hot water then you will have to scald them in clean water to get the soap out. The soap is to cut the oil in the feathers so that you can get the scalding water to reach the skin. This scalding water has to be about 160 degrees and again you slop the bird up and down inthe water till the feathers loosen up, then run them against the picker fingers. I usually use my picker as soon as I get home from hunting. The sooner you use the picker the easier it goes. I just dry pick with my picker and the only feathers it does not take is if they are really blood soaked.
01-28-2005, 06:12 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 96
RE: Feather plucker
Thanks for the info. I bought the plucker out of Cabelas. I tried to dry pluck, but it didn't work. I tried water too, but maybe I didn't heat the water high enough. I was afraid of cooking the pheasants.
02-10-2005, 08:02 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: dell rapids south dakota USA
Posts: 441
RE: Feather plucker
You can cook them even at 159 degrees. You just slosh them up an down in the water just long enough to loosen the big feathers on the wings. At this point all the feathers will be loose and come off easily. It just takes a little practice. I usually say when thew skin on the feet starts to slip the bird is ready to pluck.
