Optimizing defeathering performance in poultry processing: The impact of clearance, pluck size, and pattern arrangement

Abstract

Abstract In this research, the pluck parameters of a defeathering system were analyzed to determine the optimum performance for small-scale chicken processing. The system was developed and operated by interacting different pluck settings, namely pluck size (20, 30, 50 mm), base clearance (10, 15, 20 mm), and plucking pattern (circular, pentagonal and triangular), which gives 27 machine runs. Analysis was carried out to defeather 5 flock of chicken carcasses in 5 minutes for each of the runs, and the throughput and efficiency were empirically determined as performance indices. A Split-Plot Optimal Design was used to obtain the best pluck parameter combination with an objective to minimize the pluck settings and maximize the performance indices. Results indicate that the interaction between the clearance and the pluck size affected the throughput and efficiency for all the plucking patterns. Also, between 22 mm to 38 mm clearance and pluck size of 12 mm to 14 mm, the circular and pentagonal patterns interacted at points corresponding to a throughput of 4.08 kg/min and efficiency of 95.8%. This suggests that the best pluck parameters occurred at 13 mm average pluck size, 30 mm average base clearance using either the circular or the pentagonal plucking pattern.