A chicken plucker has got to be the fastest way to pluck your chickens.
These machines are easy to set up, use, and clean up, and will cut your chicken processing time in half.
Whether you’re a homesteader, an off-grid lifestyler, a hobby farmer, or just someone who likes to raise their own meat birds, if you’re going to be making a habit of it, one of these machines will definitely help.
We’ve got 3 of the best-selling chicken plucking machines to share and I hope this helps you to make a decision.
Best Chicken Plucker
 | YARDBIRD Chicken Plucker |
| View On AmazonView On Tractor Supply |
 | KITCHENER Chicken Plucker |
| View On AmazonView On Ebay |
 | Vevor Plucking Machine |
| View On AmazonView On Ebay |
Raising and then harvesting your own meat chickens is a great way to up your self-sufficiency games – especially in these times of high inflation and various crises.
If you have the space already, and can easily come up with the chicken coop requirements (like coop heaters for chickens in cold climates), maintaining a flock for food is a no-brainer.
Plus, the meat is usually much healthier and more flavorful than factory-farmed or other commercially raised chickens.
However, for most people (myself included), it’s the processing of the chickens (or roosters) that puts them off getting started. Yes, you’ll keep backyard chickens for eggs, but meat birds is a step too far.
The trick is just getting started – the first time can be a bit messy, but once you know what you’re doing, you’ll learn to enjoy the process and the product.
One of the most time-consuming aspects of slaughtering a chicken and preparing it for eating is plucking the feathers.
Chicken plucking machines make this process so much easier and quicker. It can take only a mere 10 seconds to pluck a chicken!
We’ll list a few more items you might need alongside a plucker at the end of this post. But for now, here are the best chicken feather pluckers.
1. Yardbird Chicken Plucker
The YardBird Chicken Plucker is well known, well-reviewed, and effective.
This best-selling 300 RPM machine is very affordable and is considered an entry-level plucking machine. It’s great for the small home meat bird operation.
The big benefits are that it is easy to move about your property and can be stored away compactly, besides, of course, being effective at plucking appropriately prepared chooks.
See the Yardbird chicken plucker machine in action in this next video.
The Yardbird chicken plucking machine has a 20-inch diameter for inserting the bird and is suitable for chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and so on.
It has 110 rubber fingers which are durable, but replacements can be purchased when necessary. It’s best for plucking birds around 8 pounds and under.
There is a great user manual full of helpful information which can be found linked on the Amazon listing here – and don’t forget to compare prices with Tractor Supply.
Most people start with a Yardbird plucker because it has all of the basic features that you’re going to need and, most importantly, it gets the job done.
Pros:
- An effective machine
- Easy to clean & maintain
- Flush out feathers as you go
- Made of food-grade stainless steel
- Weather and water-resistant
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Not for huge birds
- Not for industrial, heavy use
2. KITCHENER Chicken Plucker
This Kitchener Machine is another affordable unit for de-feathering your chickens.
It’s very similar to the previous model but has a slightly lower-powered motor and only has 92 rubber fingers and a 280 RPM barrel. This mostly just means that it’s not going to pluck your chickens as quickly as the Yardbird.
This is the Kitchener Plucker being set up and used for the first time.
Kitchener is a well-known brand for outdoor processing of animals and it’s also well-reviewed by those who have gone with this brand.
As with most of these kinds of products, it’s antimicrobial and easy to clean, being made from 403 Brushed Stainless Steel.
Ultimately, it’s very similar to the Yardbird, just not as powerful. It might be about comparing prices between the two on the day you’re looking to buy and going with whichever fits your budget better.
Going for the larger model is usually recommended as most people end up producing more as they become more effective at the process.
Pros:
- An efficient chicken plucker
- Pluck 2 or 3 birds at a time
- 3-leg design for stability
- Wheels for easy mobility
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Not great for larger birds like turkey
- Some units have arrived faulty
2. Vevor Plucking Machine
Another great machine with a slightly different design, this plucker has 106 rubber fingers and can do up to 4 chickens at a time.
It can also do all the other feathered birds such as chooks, quail, turkey, duck, geese, and other waterfowl.
It has a built-in hose attachment for hooking up to your hose which keeps the feathers moving out the waste exit – a really nice feature.
There is some assembly required, though this is not difficult.
The design is a little more clunky compared to the previous models, and the castors/wheels do not appear to be as robust. It’s unlikely to be as easy to transport over rough terrain as the previous two models.
Pros:
- 4 wheels for shifting
- Large feather exit
- Waterproof stainless steel
- Heavy-duty plucker
Cons:
- Can be difficult to contact support
- Not for industrial use
Wizbang Chicken Plucker
A Whizbang Chicken Plucker can be made at home using recycled materials and with a few small purchases.
People will often use a washing machine or dryer drum and convert this into a chicken plucking machine. There are many designs and plucking philosophies out there, so it’s best to watch a few videos on YouTube.
Check out how it can be done in the following video.
For those who are handy, it’s a good way to go.
You’ll save some money and likely learn more about the process while you’re building a chicken plucker. Though, on the downside, it’s going to take a bit of time, so it depends on home much of that you’ve got.
Fingers for a chicken plucker can be bought on Amazon here.
Chicken Plucker FAQs
How long does it take to de-feather a chicken?
If you are plucking a chicken by hand, you can expect to spend up to 5 minutes plucking a single chicken – or even longer if you’re just learning.
However, with a chicken plucker, you can pluck an entire chicken in as little as 15 – 20 seconds.
It doesn’t make sense to buy a plucker if you’re only culling a rooster or two every few months, but if you’re processing 20+ birds at a time it is a real time saver.
Does a chicken need to be scalded before plucking?
Yes, it’s important to scald a chicken before putting into the plucker.
You can do it without giving the (deceased) chicken a hot bath, but it is so much easier when you include this step.
How hot should the water be for plucking chickens?
The water for scalding chickens before plucking should be between 130 to 170°F or 55 – 80°C.
Many people use outdoor cookers or even small wood-burning fire pits to heat up the water for scalding their chickens – especially if you’re away from the house.
It doesn’t take much to heat up water to this temperature, but make sure you have a thermometer on hand for accurate readings.
Can you make a chicken plucker from a washing machine?
Yes, you can make a chicken plucker from a washing machine.
There are many plucking machine plans that can be found on purchased online to help you achive this.
Chicken Plucker Machine
If you are only after chicken plucker parts, you will find plenty of them on Amazon.
Whether you need spare rubber fingers or more technical parts, take a look there first.
Other things you will need when processing chickens:
At what age should you process your chickens?
It’s going to depend on the lifespan of your chicken, the breed, and your purposes.
Thanks for visiting!
Does the yardbird chicken plucker seem durable to you? Would it last for many years?
Hey Jane, yes it’s a quality machine that should last you a long time. It always depends on how often you are using it and how well you take care of it with routine maintenance and cleaning. It’s designed for home chicken processing so you should be alright!