Killing & Dressing Ducks

Perry The Pom · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 6:19 am

G'day,
I have ducks I want to kill and dress. Is it best to scald the duck first or pluck them dry? If you scold them, what temperature should the water be?
Many thanks.

b&p · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:46 pm

I just did some ducks for the first time whilst on hols in SA. The people I did them with scalded them and they were ultra easy. I forgot which bucket was HOT and which cold and accidentally stuck my hand in the hot bucket :oops:

....it was boiled water [smilie=a_doh.gif]

I had always dry plucked my chooks but now am a definate convert to scalded plucking.

We also did Guinea Fowls the same way and the feathers just "rubbed" out. Ducks were pretty much the same but add some dishwashing liquid to the water to assist with water penetrating the feathers. Think we did 9 ducks (runner X pekin) and 4 guineas in 90 mins with chatting time.

Perry The Pom · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:12 pm

Thank you B&P,
That is 1 YES for to scald. Any others agree? [smilie=a_withstupid.gif]

spanner · **Joined:** Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:42 pm **Posts:** 91

I scold as well as it is much easier to pluck BUT be warned that the skin will not stay pristine white colour but will prolly change to a yellowy colour from the scalding. Other than that their is no issue with scalding and makes no difference to the end product when roasted or what ever.

Cheers.

2 for scalding now! :-D

Perry The Pom · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:59 pm

Cheers Spanner,
That's 2 for scalding. How hot should the water be?

b&p · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:09 pm

Point of interest...I didn't find the skins yellowed at all. They were all nice and white. Maybe age of the bird plays a part in the skin changing colour or the length of the "dunk". We dunked for a few mins (around 2-3) with a couple of really good swishes initially and than only quick ones to help with slightly more stubborn feathers when we had them mostly done.

Perry The Pom · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:43 pm

Thank's B&P,
The ducks are about fully feathered and I want to kill them shortly so they are young. Hope that somebody can tell me how hot the water should be. I dressed chooks and at first the water was too hot that the skin ripped. I have been looking on YOU TUBE and am thinking of making a plucker. If the water is too hot I would think the rubber fingers might damage the ducks. [smilie=thanks.gif]

Chook kid · **Posted:** Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:28 pm

i would personaly have the water slightly hotter than scolding temperature
i scold the animals i kill

Mussie2010 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 26, 2010 11:28 pm **Posts:** 1

I have been contemplating culling a few of my older muscovies but didn't have the knowledge to do it now I have a better understanding so thank you

Dan347 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:14 pm

between 63 and 65 degrees and dunk them like crazy pulling the feathers back to let the water get in under there. A bent peice of pipe can help with this. To know when they are ready to start plucking try and pull some of the larger feathers from the first joint after the shoulder, if they come out easily then you're ready to plucka duck. The best age to process at for ducklings is when their main flight feathers on the wings just start to touch when you look at their backs with wings closed. If they have been on a dam are a bit dirty or your water is a bit hard then a drop of dish washing liquid can go a long way. If there's anything else you need to know then i', only to happy to help

Regards

Dan347

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Killing & Dressing Ducks

Who is on the Forum