Design and construction of manually operated chicken de-feathering machine for small scale chicken processors in Uganda.

Abstract

Consumption of chicken as a Source. of protein is, on the increase in Uganda. Removing feathers by hand is the traditional means and method de-feathering chicken. For many reasons, removing feathers by hand is one process -which is time consuming, cumbersome, low output and results into injuries. Development of' a manually operated chicken de-feathering machine is a process of producing a mechanical means of removing feathers from scalded birds. This report focuses on development of a manually chicken de-feathering machine for small scale chicken processors in -Uganda using locally available materials. Design calculations were done, appropriately to ensure correct shaft diameter as this could affect the efficiency of the machine. The machine consists of rotating' drum with protruding rubber fingers and stationary shaft with' rubber fingers attached which carries out the actual plucking of the feathers. The machine was test with six sample chicken per batch' in two trials after being in soaked inside hot water at about 70 c and held for about 45-60s. The efficiency of each trial was calculated and average efficiency was. 70.8% implying that -the machine is viable.