Abstract: A system (20) for removing feathers from poultry carcasses (50), including a scalding apparatus (28) that applies the dual cascade of heated water downwardly onto poultry carcasses passing beneath. A quill picking unit (30) follows the dual cascade scalding apparatus (26) to remove the feathers from the carcass after the pores have been enlarged by the dual cascade of scalding water. After the feathers have been pulled from the carcass (50), the carcass is passed through a chiller (40) which applies a dual cascade of cooling water downwardly onto the carcasses passing through the chilling unit.