Duck Pluckin?

Dobber30052 · Aug 14, 2002

My wife and I have a little piece of heaven we call Dobber's Pond. Obviously, we have a pond here... Consequently, we got ducks. Then we had more ducks, then a few more. We now have over 30, well 25... read on... As we have chickens for eggs, and goats for some milk, we thought we'd harvest a few of the ducks for the table and freezer. We have several books about raising ducks, and they all pretty much said the same thing about butchering them. I tried the knife/ ice pick through the mouth into the brain thing, no luck; wound up using a hatchet. "Dry plucking is preferred and easier", we wound up scalding them. "A pro" can pluck a duck in 3-4 minutes" - I think I'd pay $100 to see that!!

Now, this is my first attempt at this, and I know we'll get better as we go along, but, do you folks have any tips???

One other specific question, the ducks are Muscovies. Our books stated the best butchering times were between 10-20 weeks, also to buthcer them before they molt, and if after, wait until the feathers are fully in. I think this must have something to do with our lack of speed and feather co-operation. Our guys (and gals) were about 18 weeks. Does anyone have firsthand experience with with an age difference when duck pluckin?

We have another clutch that will be "ready" soon... I'd prefer to take an afternoon rather than a whole day next time!

Dob

PS This is cross posted in "Rural Living"

GaryM · Aug 14, 2002

My brother-n-law is a duck hunter and swears by one of those motor driven devices with the rubber "fingers" that plucks out the feathers. You hold the duck up to it and it's almost like sanding them off.

It's a lot quieter if the duck is dead before you do this. I think they don't really like the way it feels.

Here's a link to the "duck Naked Plucker" at Cabelas.com

Looks like the link's too long, but the search works.

Not sure if the link will work as it's rather long. Go to www.cabelas.com and search for "duck plucker". They have a cheaper unit, but this one looks like the best.

RobertN · Aug 14, 2002

While Duck hunting, I found that the sooner they are plucked the better. If they sit for a bit, it gets harder, and then you need the how water.

You can also skin them.

BWa · Aug 15, 2002

See post on rual living....
Bill G.

Dobber30052 · Aug 15, 2002

I have learned that my brother in law's dad has one of those rubber fingered pluckers that hasn't been used in a while and likely won't be used (by him, hehe) again. Think I'll try that out...

Dob

Dobber30052 · Aug 15, 2002

Good point, I think next time I will time it a little better. This time I dispatched them all at once, then we plucked two at a time. Next time, I'll match the whacking to the plucking a little better.

We thought about skinning, but seemed like a bit of a waste, (not to mention cheating) especially since Lynn loves the skin.

Dob