Abstract: A feather picking device which includes an electric motor with two output shafts wherein each of the output shafts is used to mount a feather picking spool. The spools include a series of rubber bands connected in rows and are provided with rubber bands of a certain size to match the needs of a particular bird. Smaller bands are provided for picking feathers from doves, quails, and other small birds while larger rubber bands are provided for picking feathers from geese and other larger birds. The motor is housed within a housing position over a narrow gage feather collection cage which is enclosed within an airflow housing. Air is drawn through the airflow housing and the feather collection cage by a fan mounted to the back thereof. The airflow housing and fan are supported on wheels so that the feather picking device can be easily moved.

Abstract: A plucking unit, apparatus or equipment (25) for plucking poultry carcasses on a shackle line (26) including a plurality of individual plucking units (10), one for each of a number of carcasses to be plucked at any one time, and shielding means (12) included in or provided additionally to, said plucking units (10) whereby the plucking heads of each said unit are shielded from the plucking heads of the neighboring units during plucking.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of a resilient poultry feather plucking finger having a shank portion with an enlarged shoulder, a neck portion and an enlarged head portion, into an opening in a rigid finger support. The apparatus includes a locator plate and a blade assembly having a cutting blade, a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism to displace the blade assembly and cause the blade to close on a finger which is being held by the stationary locator plate as a result of the movement of the blade assembly.