Abstract: A poultry processing apparatus including an elongated enclosure defining a longitudinally extending channel through which fowl is moved via a conveyor for picking and removing the feathers therefrom. A plurality of picking members having resilient fingers for contacting the fowl and removing the feathers are provided on each side along the length of the enclosure. The opposed picking members mounted on opposed supporting frameworks, each include a plurality of vertical and horizontal adjustment mechanisms for adjusting the position of the picking members with respect to the line of travel of the flow on the conveyor. Special overhead mounting structures are provided for the supporting frameworks wherein the picking assemblies may be moved toward and away from the enclosure to allow access to the picking member, the interior of the enclosure and the interior of the supporting frameworks for clearing and maintenance.

Abstract: A fowl picking machine having counter-rotating picking drums on which are mounted elongated, flexible picking fingers. Alternating drums are rotated in opposite directions with the drums which rotate downwardly including a greater number of picking fingers than do the drums which rotate upwardly. The machine includes two spaced picking assemblies each including a plurality of pairs of the counter-rotating drums, each pair of drums being individually mounted in a drum assembly to provide easy access to and maintenance of the drums. Each drum assembly includes a single power shaft for simultaneously counter-rotating both drums mounted thereon. Electric motors are included to power the drums. Each motor rotates the power shafts of two drum assemblies.