Hi. Wondered if anyone could tell me the best way to pluck chickens if you intend to keep the feathers. I've read one book that says not to put the chicken in boiling water if you want the feathers, and another that says it doesn't matter.

Thanks! Linda

-- Linda (lcesario@post.com), September 04, 2001

Answers

According to the book, "Butchering, Processing, and Preservation of Meat" when you dry pluck do it immediately after killing and pull the feathers in the same direction as it grows to prevent tearing the skin.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 04, 2001.

You could also collect the feathers when the birds are molting.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 06, 2001.