DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A DUAL MECHANIZED CHICKEN PLUCKING AND YAM POUNDING MACHINE

Over the years, feather plucking of birds and pounding of yams of all types and varieties are always done manually without specific attention to the health related challenges associated with such practices. Again, the quality of the processed birds andpounded yam quantity required, were not of interest. Today, the health implications, unit cost of de feathering and pounding, the quality and quantity of processed birds and pounded yam are of interest and paramount importance to farmers. Hence, this work is aimed at designing and manufacturing a dual modernized friendly feather plucking machine and yam pounding machine using
locally available materials. The method adopted for this project work include the selection of appropriate materials, including,
ild steel sheet for framing the machine, stainless steel drum carefully manipulated to form the plucking basin and pounding basin. Other locally made materials used for the construction include, tapered plucking fingers made of rubbers, plastic pipes and
fittings. Also, the desired electric motor to drive the system using appropriate pulleys and belts were selected using appropriate mathematical models. Result showed that at an operating speed of 1440 rpm, birds with average weight of 1.5 kg soaked in water for about 85 degrees Celsius for approximately minute were de feathered in 20 seconds and 2 yam piece of 2kg each pounded at 3 minutes. Other results showed that the weight, temperature of the water, the speed of the motor and the duration of soaking of the bird in water and the weight of yam pounded were all important variables to be addressed to enhance the efficiency of the machine and the quality of both dressed birds and yam pounded.