Pinching a bird is not the most pleasant thing. It is good if you need to remove feathers from several carcasses. And if you need to process 300 pieces, for example? Even the whole family cannot cope with such an exhausting task. So many owners of the poultry yard come to mind to make a do-it-yourself machine. A homemade version will differ slightly from the factory one. Maybe it will not look so aesthetically pleasing. But the main thing is functionality.
Operating principle
A self- made pick-up machine works on the same principle as a factory one. Most often it represents a capacious tank. Its inner part (both the walls and the bottom) is studded with rubber “fingers” - bats. They are elastic pins, at the end of which there is a thread.
Poultry carcass, doused with boiling water, is thrown into the tank. After turning on the engine, the bottom begins to rotate. The carcass begins to “dance” throughout the space. At the same time, she hits the bills. Feathers are removed from this. Only the smallest in hard-to-reach spots remain that need to be removed manually. It all takes no more than 2-3 minutes. To make the process faster, water the carcass. Water flushes out excess feathers and protects the bird from damage.
Variety of species
Before embarking on a do-it-yourself machine, you need to determine its appearance. This will depend on the number of carcasses.
- With a centrifuge. It is a container (usually round or triangular in shape), on the inside of which are beaten “fingers”. The bottom begins to rotate, and the carcass is processed by beaters.
- With a drum. A machine of this type begins work due to the engine turned on. Bills are attached to the rotor on the outside. The owner brings the bird to the rotor and holds it so far that the beats reach the bird. At the same time, he can himself regulate the force with which the carcass is pressed. The main advantage of this method is that it is suitable for plucking birds of different sizes.
- In the form of nozzles for a power tool. Making such a nozzle is easy. This is the most economical option. But its disadvantage is the inconvenience in work. The operator must hold the bird with one hand and the tool with the other.
Not everyone can afford a factory pick-up machine due to its high cost. Therefore, they are acquired only by those who are engaged in the cultivation of poultry in large quantities. And the rest give preference to a do-it-yourself hand-made machine. Drawings for this can not even be used.
Where to get the bills?
One common feature of all types of machines is the presence of beats that will remove the pen. This does not change, no matter which option you choose to make yourself. The device of the pick-up machine without fail requires the presence of rotating rubber bills. And this is one of the obstacles that can interfere with making a car yourself. The fact is that it is impossible to make such a specific part at home. Therefore, bills must be purchased at the store.
When placing an order, it must be remembered that the bills are not universal. They may vary in size. And their choice depends on the size of the carcasses. It is clear that the largest are suitable for the largest bird (geese, turkeys). And the smallest - for quail.
Power tool nozzle
In this case, the base will be a piece of pipe with thick walls. A blank resembling a tin can is made of it. The bank itself is not suitable, as it is made of very thin metal.
The bottom is welded to the pipe (or fixed with screws). A hole for the stud is made in the center of the bottom. Its diameter is selected so that it fits the cartridge of a power tool (drill, screwdriver). The pin is fixed with nuts. Holes are made along all the walls of the can into which purchased beats are inserted. "Fingers" are fixed on the outside of the pipe. On this, the process of making a do-it-yourself machine in the form of a nozzle is completed.
It is possible to facilitate the manufacturing process if, instead of a metal pipe, take a polyethylene pipe, which is usually used for sewage. Its diameter should be approximately 10-12 cm. All other steps are performed in the same sequence as in the case of a metal pipe.
Drum type machine
The machine for plucking a drum-type bird in its design resembles a nozzle for power tools. The difference is only in size. The drum is made longer than the nozzle.
The drum is driven by an electric motor. Enough engine with low power and a pulley gear. An axis is attached to the engine on which the drum is worn. The drum itself is also mounted on the frame. From below hang a bag in which the feather will fall.
Centrifuge Machine
The most common option is when a do-it-yourself machine is made from a washing machine. For this, models with a fixed cylindrical shape are suitable. This option is very convenient, since the bottom already has a drive that will rotate the bottom. In addition, an oil seal is also installed.
From the bottom of the machine you need to install the bottom, which will rotate. Its diameter is usually made a few centimeters smaller than the diameter of the machine. But too large a difference in diameters is not needed, so that the limbs of the carcass do not fall into the resulting gap. The bottom is connected to the axis. This joint must be airtight so that water does not get on the engine.
Holes are made on the bottom and walls into which beats will be inserted. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a hole for draining water and feathers.
This type of self-assembled scraper is the most popular. It allows you to process birds of different sizes. If the carcasses are small, you can lower several at once. In this case, there should be enough space so that the carcasses can rotate. The process itself is best performed on the street. This is due to the fact that when plucking water and feathers will fly in different directions. Water must be added to speed up the plucking process and protect the bird from damage.