Featherman Equipment LLC
PO Box 62
Jamesport, MO 64648
(660) 684-6035
info@featherman.net
David Schafer
Founder
Testimonials
"Before another day goes by I had to write and let you know I love the
Featherman PRO. WOW! Thank you for providing a small farm a professional product
to ease the hard job of processing chicken..."
Read
more...
Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll down through the following questions and answers, or click on the links below to more quickly direct you to your question. If you don't see your question here, please feel free to call or email Amanda, and she will be more than happy to help you. The office is 660-684-6035 or email info@featherman.net. We pride ourselves in great customer service.
Featherman Pro & Featherman Gamebird Questions
Featherman Parts & Warranty Questions
What are the USDA State by State rules for processing?
How can we receive financial assistance?
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What types of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards through PayPal. If you do not want to pay using Paypal, you can pay over the phone with a credit card by calling Amanda at 660-684-6035. For other payment options, please contact Amanda as well.
Do I need a Paypal account for you to process my order?
No, you do not. Once you click on the button to start processing your order, Paypal will only ask you for the information needed to process the order.
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When can I expect my Featherman products after I place my order?
We ship within a day or two of receipt of payment and almost always have inventory on hand. Expect 4 to 6 business days for a plucker (Fedex Ground from Missouri) and 5 to 7 business days for a scalder or plucker/scalder combination (Motor freight from Missouri).
Do you ship to Canada?
We have dealers located in Canada who purchase our items. Please contact one of the following Canada dealers to order:
Berry Hill Ltd.
75 Burwell Rd.
St. Thomas, Ontario Canada N5P3R5
800-668-3072
www.berryhilllimited.com
Jonkman Equipment
28355 Fraser Hwy
Abbotsford, B.C. V4X1K9
604-857-2000
www.jonkmanequipment.com
Seven Oaks Manufacturing
12245 Fort Rd.
Edmonton, Alberta Canada P5B4H2
800-661-6991
fax - 780-479-1113
Do you ship internationally?
Our products are all over the world, however we ask you find a shipping agent of your choice to arrange delivery from any port in the U.S. to your destination of choice. We are not set up to offer this service ourselves. We can ship to the continental U.S. and Alaska. Please ask for shipping quotes to Alaska.
How do the products arrive to my farm?
If you order the plucker only, it will come via FedEx. If you order the plucker and scalder, it will arrive on a freight truck. The plucker and scalder come fully assembled.
If you live outside of the continental U.S. please call us for shipping rates before ordering. (This includes Hawaii and other US islands).
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Featherman Pro & Featherman Gamebird Questions:
How many birds will it pick?
The Featherman Pro and Gamebird will pick four, five-pound broilers (cleaned weight) or five, four-pound broilers. It works best when full. Then the birds roll against each other (like wringing your hands together) and the action is very gentle. They can pick one or two birds at a time but the action is a little rougher. It is best to pick at least a dozen quail or doves at a time. Since they vary in size, experimentation will yield the best number. Some folks have done up to 30 or 40 at a time!
Will it pick turkeys too?
Turkeys are a one-at-a-time pick unless they are quite small, under 15 pounds. They will also need some manual assistance to flip around and get all angles plucked. We have personally picked 40+ pound toms clean as a whistle in well under two minutes and customers report picking 50 pound birds just fine.
Do I have to hold the birds?
No. After scalding, simply drop the birds into the Featherman Pro.
Do I need spare fingers and do you sell them?
Yes, we sell spare fingers (75 cents each) but we don’t encourage purchasing extra fingers until you need them. They’ll stay fresher that way and experience so far has shown that they are good for at least eight years!
Are there any other parts I will need over time?
The only other wearing part is a standard bearing which we keep in stock. In eight years we haven’t had to replace one yet.
Is there any assembly required?
No. Simply unwrap, take the protective plywood off the bottom, plug in to 110V (unless you specifically ordered 220V) current and attach a garden hose. It is then ready to turn on and pluck.
Will the Gamebird model pick chickens and turkeys?
Yes. It is identical to the Featherman Pro in every way except in number of fingers. The Featherman Gamebird model has 300 fingers and the Featherman Pro has 119 fingers.
Where do the feathers go?
The bottom of the plucker is closed except for a chute opposite the operator. The wet feathers slide down the tub walls and are swept out the chute by fingers mounted upside down on the rotating plate.
Will the Featherman Gamebird tear the skin?
The Featherman Gamebird is the gentlest picker made. The combination of very slow RPMs, extremely soft fingers, and a thick bank of fingers – more dense than any other plucker made, produce a very gentle pick. Still, overscalding (too hot or too long) will weaken the skin and allow it to tear. Note: Shot birds and very thin-skinned birds like quail and squab will pick without skin tears when the scald is accurate.
How do I clean it?
Simply wash the machine off with a cold water spray when you are finished.
I have lost / need to view the Featherman Pro Instructions.
Click here to download the Featherman Pro Instructions.
I have lost / need to view the Featherman Gamebird Instructions.
Click here to download the Featherman Gamebird Instructions.
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How many birds will it scald at one time?
Four to five chickens or two turkeys.
What is the right scald time and temperature?
These are the critical factors in a good pick. For each bird type it will be different and this can change with weather, bird condition and size. As a general rule of thumb we recommend beginning with a one minute scald at 145 degrees for upland birds, and 6 to 10 minutes at 165 degrees for waterfowl. Smaller and more delicate birds will require less time and heat; larger and fattier birds require more. Experienced users can tell exactly when birds are done scalding and ready to pick by pulling wing feathers. When the wing feathers release with little resistance the birds are ready to pluck.
Is it electric or gas?
A 70,000 BTU propane burner supplies the heat. A small electric current is needed to operate the thermostat.
Can I use it indoors?
Yes, but be very aware that carbon monoxide is a by product of combustion so make sure there is plenty of circulation. There is a side-mounted chimney to which a vent could be attached but we do not manufacture such an attachment and do not recommend using the scalder indoors without it. Typical installation is outdoors or in a semi-enclosed building.
How do I clean it?
Wash out with water and mild soap, cover with the supplied tarp.
I have lost / need to view the Featherman Scalder Instructions.
Click here to download the Featherman Scalder Instructions.
I am having problems with my Featherman Scalder.
Click here to download the Featherman Scalder Trouble-Shooting Information.
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Featherman Parts & Warranty Questions:
What maintenance is required on your Featherman Pluckers?
Experience since 1999 has shown the Featherman pluckers, even in extremely high use, require virtually zero maintenance. No oil to change, no grease fittings. Simply wash down after use and store under cover.
What about spare parts?
There are only two moving parts, the fingers and a sealed bearing. We will provide these as needed but in eight years there have been no bearing failures and very few replacement fingers needed. You can buy the fingers through us if needed.
What is your warranty?
One year on motor/gearbox from factory, and one year on everything else from us.
Please note! The warranty is void if the customer tampers with the equipment in any way.
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What are the USDA State by State rules for processing?
The state-by-state rules for poultry processing can be found here.
Also, click here for more information on poultry processing regulations and exemptions.
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How can we receive financial assitance?
Check out the following links for more information:
Farmer Veterans Coalition
Heifer International
USDA Value-Added Producer Grants
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Don't see your question? Call Amanda at 660-684-6035.