6 Best Chicken Pluckers for Defeathering Poultry in Seconds

By
Nora Held
Nora Held
Research Writer
Apart from being our main writer, Nora also works for a number of gardening-related sites and magazines, sharing her experience as an owner of a small farm in North Carolina read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Bruce owns a small farm and loves to grill since his early childhood. He’s a professional cook, but hiking and enjoying the great outdoors is his no less favorite part of read more
Last updated: February 28, 2024
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Birds have several feathers that are hard to remove by hand. But thanks to the advancements in technology, tools like chicken pluckers make the process a breeze. These tools can defeather two to four chickens at once. They are convenient and affordable and you will only have to place the chicken in the drum with the rotating fingers and add some water to remove the feathers from your birds.

We reviewed the 6 best chicken pluckers from different manufacturers. A top choice for poultry machines is the Yardbird Chicken Plucker 21833 that can defeather other birds like geese, ducks, and waterfowls. It has a motor that offers enough force for chicken de-feathering several sizes of chickens. Our team also reviewed other awesome chicken pluckers like EZPLUCKER EZ-151 Stainless Steel Chicken PluckerVEVOR Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker, and KITCHENER Chicken Plucker, among others.

We spent more than three weeks searching for the best chicken plucker on Amazon. Our team also interviewed chicken plucker experts and sellers to get more information on the products. The features we based our selection on include motor power, spinning force, drum diameter, chicken capacity, number of fingers, and irrigation ring, among other features. Machines with high power motor offer enough force to pluck feathers from chickens fast. You need to get a chicken plucker with a wide diameter if you keep or buy large-sized chickens. In this guide, you will get a table, in-depth reviews of the products, and a buying guide to walk you through selecting the model that fits your needs. If you’re in the market for these devices, you’re in the right place.

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: Yardbird Chicken Plucker 21833
    "A great corded-electric poultry plucker that features a 1.5 hp motor, 2 chicken capacity, 110 rubber fingers and de-feathers chicken in 15-30 seconds"
  • "A sturdy chicken plucker is designed with a 1.5 hp motor, 4 chicken capacity, 106 fingers, an irrigation ring and 4 mobile wheels"
  • "This is a heavy-duty processor that has a compact and robust design for easy transportation and storage"
  • Best for Food Processing Units and Commercial Outdoor Grades: KITCHENER Chicken Plucker
    "A heavy-duty commercial poultry plucker that features a 1.2 hp motor, 4 chicken capacity, 92 yellow rubber fingers and de-feathers chicken in 15-30 seconds."
  • "An affordable chicken plucker kit that features 10 stainless steel scalpels, medium kill cone, ten fingers and is recommended for different types of chicken, ducks, and large turkeys weighing up to 10 pounds."
  • "An efficient chicken plucker machine is built with a 2 hp motor, 1-2 chicken capacity, 106 fingers and de-feathers chicken in 30 seconds."

Top 6 Chicken Pluckers Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6731 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.9
1
Editor’s Choice

Yardbird Chicken Plucker 21833

Features
  • Horsepower: 5 hp
  • Spinning force: 300 RPM
  • Drum diameter: 20”
  • Fingers: 110
  • Chicken capacity: 2
  • Irrigation ring: yes

Other features: corded-electric, 1100W, de-feathers chicken in 15-30 seconds, drum-sensing safety switch and GFCI

One of the best choices is the Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker that is an electric corded machine for defeathering birds like ducks, geese, hens, and waterfowl in 15-30 seconds. It comes with two sturdy rubber wheels that foster mobility in the chicken processing zones.

This tool has a maintenance-free gear that offers over 35-foot pounds of plucking torque. Thanks to its powerful 1.5 HP motor delivers up to 300 RPM, the machine can pluck a chicken quickly and efficiently. The seller insists the 20” inch diameter caters to several sizes of birds.

This chicken plucking machine comes with 110 soft rubber fingers that makes feather removal undamaging for the skin of the birds. The rubbers are durable though their life is dependent on the rate of use and cleaning. Most users said they used this machine to pluck over 100 chickens.

This chicken feather plucker machine has two safety features. The safety switch detects if the drum is connected before defeathering. GFCI safeguards users against electrical shocks.

Several customers say Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker has a user-friendly debris collection. The system offers a hand-free feather collection. You will put a 5-gallon pail to trap the feathers falling under the feather chute.

Experts note that it is super-easy to clean. Its parts like food-grade, stainless steel, and the drum are removable. Use clean water to remove the dirt. You can wash the unit with a garden hose before storing it.

Some users complained their machines arrived dented. Others said it had several design flaws.

    What are its best features?
  • Sturdy rubber wheels
  • Maintenance-free gear
  • Defeathers several sizes of birds
  • Safety features
  • Super-easy to clean
    What could be improved?
  • Several design flaws
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9684 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.7
Features
  • Horsepower: 5 hp
  • Spinning force: 275 RPM
  • Drum diameter: 20”
  • Fingers: 106
  • Chicken capacity: 2-4
  • Irrigation ring: yes

Other features: 1500W, stainless steel body, 2 handles and 4 mobile wheels

The VEVOR Stainless Steel Plucker is a sturdy feather puckering tool with excellent features like a 20” tub diameter, built-in water pipe, and four sturdy wheels for moving to and for the processing regions.

VEVOR highly recommends it for chicken though you can use it on guinea fowl, turkey, and quail. However, it can’t pluck feathers from ducks and goose due to the Downey nature of their feathers. You will defeather 2 to 4 chickens per cycle.

The procedures are simple. Put your bird in the machine, add water, and wait for it to start plucking. Most users claimed they took 10 to 30 seconds to defeather their birds.

Its on/off waterproof switch reduces the risk of electric shocks since you use water is involved in the defeathering process. Replace the switch if it gets stuck.

Experts say this machine is easy to clean. It is connected to a hose and water pipe. You can rinse it immediately after use to remove the stuck feathers.

The chicken plucker includes a feather discharge unit that is large to foster fast and easy plucking and cleaning.

Overall, the VEVOR Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker is best for home use, farming, and abattoir businesses. Some users complained that this home chicken plucker has small caster wheels.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Four sturdy wheels
  • Easy to clean
  • Large feather discharge unit
    What could be better?
  • Small casters wheels
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4247 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.8
Features
  • Horsepower: 1 hp
  • Spinning force: 280 RPM
  • Drum diameter: 20”
  • Fingers: 92
  • Chicken capacity: 2-4
  • Irrigation ring: no

Other features: 800W, de-feathers chicken in 15-30 seconds, 403 brushed stainless steel body and base

The SuperHandy Chicken Plucker is a heavy-duty processor that has a compact and robust design for easy transportation and storage. This is a powerful model built with a premium brushed stainless steel body and base to protect against rust, while the 1HP motor provides reliable and durable power.

This chicken poultry plucker is designed with a 20-inch diameter drum that is capable of processing two to four birds at one time. It can pluck in approximately 15 to 30 seconds per bird, which means it can process three or four in under two minutes, depending on if the you scald the chicken properly and their size. If the birds are properly scalded, it will guarantee the greatest efficiency and speed to make the job easy and effortless.

This perfect chicken plucker comes with two wheels to allow you to maneuver it wherever it is needed, and it has a three leg design for additional support and stability. The machines is also a commercial grade device that is ideal for food processing facilities and farms. It also includes full scalding instructions and there is a tutorial to correctly connect the proximity sensor switch to enhance safety.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Wheels make it easy to move around
  • Simple to put together
  • Sturdy and strong
  • Ease of use
    What could be better?
  • Power cord is a little short
  • On/Off switch is a little inaccessible at the bottom of the unit
  • Cannot clean turkeys, due to the size
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7254 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.5
4
Best for Food Processing Units and Commercial Outdoor Grades

KITCHENER Chicken Plucker

Features
  • Horsepower: 2 hp
  • Spinning force: 280 RPM
  • Drum diameter: 20”
  • Fingers: 92
  • Chicken capacity: 2-4
  • Irrigation ring: no

Other features: 15-30 sec de-feathering, 403 brushed stainless steel body, GFCI switch, waterproof IP54 weather resistant electrical housing

With a heavy-duty nature and sturdy design, the KITCHENER Chicken Plucker may handle up to 4 birds per cycle and 15 to 30 to pluck one chicken. Customers say 3 to 4 chickens take roughly 2 minutes depending on their sizes.

The 1.8 HP motor is rated 800 Watts. It delivers 280 RPM. Experts note that this machine offers plenty of features. It has two wheels that foster easy storage and mobility in the cooking areas.

The three legs offer extra support. Experts say the 92 soft natural rubber finger brushes are strategically positioned to eradicate dirt and grime from the bodies of the chicken.

Kitchener recommends using this machine on other birds like turkey, Guinea Fowl, Quail, turkey, ducks, and geese. It’s best for food processing units and commercial outdoor grades.

Several customers insist that you can assemble and disassemble it in 5 minutes. The best part is, this quality chicken plucker machine is made from weather-resistant materials like the IP54 and the electrical housing are waterproof and weather-resistant, respectively.

Kitchener insists on connecting the sensor switch correctly before use. You can read the manual or watch YouTube videos to master it. They also say you can use any 5-gallon drum to tap the feathers. Flush the plucked feathers using the hose connector. Some users were frustrated that it rips birds apart.

    Why is it special?
  • Three legs
  • Easy assembly
  • Waterproof and water-resistant parts
  • Well-positioned chicken fingers
  • Best for food processing units and commercial outdoor grades
    What are the flaws?
  • Rips birds apart
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8535 people in the past 30 days
9.3
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.3
Features
  • Horsepower: n/a
  • Spinning force: n/a
  • Cone diameter: 25”
  • Fingers: 10
  • Chicken capacity: n/a
  • Irrigation ring: no

Other features: 10 stainless steel scalpels, 3/8″ drill shank

L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker Kit offers value for money and it comes with a stainless steel scalpel and medium kill cone. Some customers say its sharp scalpel kills chickens within minutes. The cones of this drill chicken plucker foster easy killing and clean up after use. Some users state that the medium cone is meant for small birds, so target a large model if you have large birds.

The seller says the blades are sterile. They recommend it for chickens, ducks, and large turkeys weighing up to 10 pounds.

L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker Kit has ten large plucker fingers, which are the least compared to the products we reviewed. Experts say the latex rubber is blended to lengthen its life. It increases the rates of feather plucking process per minute. Rite Farm products say the rubber is non-chocky, and they rarely fall apart, crack or dry fast due to intense use.

Its dimensions are 12.5 inches long and 10.25 inches wide. Experts say that this machine is made from equipment that makes accurate measurements.

Some customers mention that you don’t need a high powered drill to use L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker Kit. Others say it offers exceptional results for small scale processing.

    What are its best features?
  • Sharp scalpel
  • Sterile blades
  • Blended latex rubber
  • Non-choky rubber
  • Offer exceptional results for small scale processing
    What could be improved?
  • Not found
Features
  • Horsepower: 2 hp
  • Spinning force: 275 RPM
  • Drum diameter: 20”
  • Fingers: 106
  • Chicken capacity: 1-2
  • Irrigation ring: no

Other features: 1500W, de-feathers chicken in 30 seconds, 430 stainless steel

The Wuyule Plucker Machine is a testament to durability and efficiency, made from high-quality 430 stainless steel.

Driven by a 2HP motor and equipped with 106 rubber fingers, it promises rapid defeathering, removing feathers and dirt from birds in just 10-30 seconds. To achieve the best results, users are advised to soak a chicken in hot water heated to 75-80°C before starting to pluck chickens.

Designed with user convenience in mind, the machine features four flexible wheels for easy mobility and can accommodate a variety of bird sizes, from chickens to quails. Safety is also at the forefront, with a waterproof switch to minimize mishaps. Moreover, its rustproof stainless steel build guarantees longevity.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Made of quality materials
  • Powerful motor
  • Soft plucking fingers
    What is not ideal about it?
  • No auto turn function

Things to Consider

Removing feathers from the bird is daunting and tedious when you do it with your hands. This is where tools like chicken pluckers come in. A chicken plucker simplifies your life and saves time. They pluck feathers from birds fast, whether you’re using it at home or work.
Chicken pluckers come in different models with varying designs and sizes. There are models that handle several sizes of birds.
In this guide, we will look at the definition of a chicken plucker, features to consider when choosing a model, and the frequently asked questions.

What is a chicken plucking machine?

If you raise chicken for sale or for home consumption, in addition to chicken coops and chicken feeders you’ll surely need a chicken plucker. Chicken pluckers are time-saving tools meant for removing feathers from poultry like backyard chicken, goose, ducks, and turkeys. Most of the models have sturdy steel construction and they defeather these birds in 10 to 30 seconds.

Chicken pluckers are easy to use. Turn on your machine and put your chicken in the rotating drum. Pour hot water while the chicken rotates. The rubber fingers will pluck its feathers. You should put a 5-gallon drum below the machine to trap the feathers.

Features to consider when buying a chicken plucker

Whether you’re rearing chickens for sale or home consumption, choosing the right type of plucker has timeless benefits. Durable models pluck birds’ feathers for ages. To choose the best chicken plucker, consider factors such as the size of the machine, the number of rubber fingers it has, its build quality, and customer reviews.

The best chicken pluckers are easy to use. Remember, there are hundreds of awesome models like Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker, and EZPLUCKER EZ-151 Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker, so picling a perefect chicken plucker can be daunting.

So, find some time and consider key features first before buying a chicken plucker. In this section, we will look at some features you can consider like the construction materials, size, portability, motor power, and spinning force, among others.
6 Best Chicken Pluckers for Defeathering Poultry in Seconds

Construction materials

The materials that are used in making chicken pluckers determine their durability. Manufacturers like VEVOR and KITCHENER make the best stainless steel chicken pluckers. A kit like L10 Rite Farm has a stainless steel scalpel.

Size

The design of your chicken plucker affects storage and the sizes of chicken you can de-feather.

Chicken pluckers like EZPLUCKER EZ-151, VEVOR, and KITCHENER have a drum diameter ranging from 20 to 23 inches. They can defeather at most four birds per cycle.

You can purchase a compact chicken plucker like Yardbird 21833 that handles two chickens per cycle. Pluckers like these are easy to store and transport. Plus, these machines can work even on small species like bantam chickens.

Other spacious models like EZPLUCKER EZ-151 can defeather birds weighing 15 to 20 pounds. Some users say it struggles with plucking feathers from small-sized birds.

Is it portable?

Most chicken pluckers have wheels or steady stands that make them stable during use. You can get a model with wheels like Yardbird 21833, VEVOR or KITCHENER Chicken Plucker to foster mobility around your processing regions.

The VEVOR Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker has handles. You can push, pull, and store it after use. The best part is, the majority of the feather plucking machines with wheels are lightweight. Experts recommend them for households.

Motor power

The motor provides the force that rotates the drums inside these machines to pluck the feathers. Chicken plucker options with high motor power defeather chickens in less than 10 to 20 seconds. The only shortcoming is they consume high amounts of electricity.

Different chicken pluckers in our list have horsepower ranging from 1 to 1.5 HP. EZPLUCKER EZ-151 and KITCHENER Chicken Plucker have 1 and 1.2 horsepower respectively. VEVOR and Yardbird 21833 chicken pluckers have 1.5 HP motor.

Spinning force

The spinning force is correlated with motor power. Machine with high horsepower offers a high spinning force. Our machines have a spinning force ranging from 275 to 1700 RPM.

The models with high RPM like EZPLUCKER EZ-151 defeather chickens fast, though they can damage their skins if you exceed four chickens.

You can purchase a model with a spinning force ranging from 275 to 300 RPM like VEVOR and Yardbird 21833 chicken plucker. The spinning force is not applicable to kits like L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker.

Chicken capacity

Every customer should select the right chicken plucker that fits the number of chickens they want to defeather. It’s worth picking a model that defeathers up to 4 chickens like EZPLUCKER EZ-151, VEVOR and KITCHENER chicken plucker if you rear chickens for sale. A machine like Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker suits home use since it handles up to 2 chickens.

The fingers

The individual rubber fingers that work as a gentle yet effective tool to remove feathers without damaging the bird’s skin play the biggest role in these machines. The quality of the final product will be low if rubbers are missing, so ensure they are in top shape. You can purchase new rubbers from Amazon after plucking more than 100 chickens.

Experts say that the higher the number of rubber fingers in your machine, the higher the amount of feather you will remove fast. The best chicken plucker can remove all feathers and has  from 92 to 110 natural rubber fingers. The L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker Kit has ten fingers which are the least so far.

Water inlet

6 Best Chicken Pluckers for Defeathering Poultry in Seconds

Most chicken pluckers work with water inlets to foster easy cleaning. The water channels the feathers that have been plucked to the 5-gallon drum for collection.

The models with water inlets include Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker, and VEVOR Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker.

Some machines like EZPLUCKER EZ-151, KITCHENER and L10 Rite Farm Drill Chicken Plucker  are effective though they lack water inlets.

Wattage

When looking for the best poultry plucker, the wattage is a significant factor to consider. It represents the amount of electricity your machine consumes. Machines with high wattage consume huge amounts of electricity.

A low-wattage chicken plucking machine is designed for home use. The high wattage models suit industrial use, but you can use it at home if it fits your needs.

Our models have a wattage ranging from 700 to 1000 Watts. The EZPLUCKER EZ-151 Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker is rated 700 W.

The Yardbird 21833 and VEVOR Chicken Plucker are rated 1100 and 1500 Watts, respectively.

How to Use Chicken Plucker Machine

If you’ve ever tried plucking a chicken by hand, you’d know the tediousness of the process. For those involved in the poultry business or even homeowners who raise a few chickens, discovering the best method for efficient plucking is essential. Enter the chicken plucker machine, a type of machine specifically designed to remove the feathers from chickens in a fraction of the time it would take to do it manually. This guide will walk you through using a chicken plucker and ensure you get the most out of this equipment.

  1. Preparation:
    • Selecting Your Chicken: Before you can use the plucker, you need to have your chickens ready. Not all chickens are the same, and to discover the best chicken for plucking, ensure they are adequately fattened and mature.
    • Scald the Chicken: Before plucking, it’s vital to scald the chicken. This process involves dipping the chicken into hot water (around 145°F or 63°C) for about 30 seconds. Doing so helps loosen the feathers, making the plucking process more efficient.
  2. Setting Up the Chicken Plucker:
    • Ensure the machine is on a flat surface and in an area where water drainage won’t be an issue.
    • Plug the machine into an appropriate power source, keeping in mind safety precautions.
  3. Using the Chicken Plucker:
    • Turn on the machine and let it reach its full speed.
    • Gently place the scalded chicken into the machine. Some machines can handle more than one chicken at a time, but always refer to the machine’s manual to avoid overloading.
    • Allow the machine to run for about 20-30 seconds. The exact time may vary based on the type of machine and the size of the chicken.
    • Once the chicken is fully plucked, turn off the machine and remove the bird. Inspect the chicken to ensure all feathers are removed. If not, you can place it back into the machine for a few more seconds.
  4. Post-Plucking:
    • After plucking, it’s a good idea to wash the chicken thoroughly, removing any remaining feather bits and cleaning any part of the chicken that may have dirt or contaminants.
    • If you notice any small feathers or hairs left, you can singe them off using a small flame.
  5. Cleaning the Machine:
    • Once you’re done with the plucking process, it’s essential to clean the machine thoroughly. Remove all feathers from the plucking fingers and the base of the machine.
    • Wash the machine with a mixture of water and mild detergent, ensuring no residue is left.

While plucking a chicken by hand may offer the traditional touch, using a chicken plucker is a reliable and efficient way to get the job done. With the right machine and technique, you can ensure that every part of the chicken is ready for cooking or further processing. So, the next time you find yourself including chickens in your meal plans, remember the convenience and effectiveness of the chicken plucker machine.

FAQ

Don’t the birds bruise from all that tumbling and finger flailing?

No, the rubber fingers are gently on the birds. The birds can be bruised if you exceed the number that your machine can handle per cycle.

Is a chicken plucker machine suitable for small-scale chicken keepers?

Yes, a chicken plucker machine can be used by small-scale chicken keepers who want to streamline their poultry processing and save time on feather plucking.

Can a chicken plucker machine remove feathers from other poultry?

While chicken plucker machines are primarily designed for chickens, they can also be used to pluck feathers from other types of poultry, such as ducks and turkeys.

Where do the feathers go?

The feathers are channeled inside the feather chute. You will place a 5-gallon drum below the feather chute to trap the feathers.

Do the birds ever bounce out of the tub when you are plucking them?

No, the birds won’t bounce. They will be rotating while the rubber fingers pluck the feathers.

Our verdict

The market is flooded with various models of chicken pluckers, but getting the right pick is still super-easy. You should target a sturdy model with a high number of fingers if you keep chickens for commercial purposes. Experts recommend compact chicken pluckers to small-sized families that love cooking chickens occasionally. Our guide has everything you need to look into to make the right selection.

Our first pick is the Yardbird 21833 Chicken Plucker that we rated 9.9. It has a solid design that handles different sizes of chickens. This machine also comes with two safety features that safeguard users against hazards.

The SuperHandy chicken plucker is a powerful model with a 20-inch drum. This can allow you to process up to four birds at one time, depending on the size. This is a commercial machine ideal for farms and food processing facilities.

Our third pick is VEVOR Stainless Steel Chicken Plucker. It defeathers chickens in 10 to 30 seconds. We recommend it for farming, home, and abattoir use.

9,9
Total Score
Yardbird Chicken Plucker 21833 - Editor’s Choice
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