N.C. Cooperative Extension–Rowan County Center owns several pieces of equipment made specifically for the care and processing of farm animals. Here, you will find helpful information about our poultry Mobile Processing Unit (MPU) and rental process.
The MPU is available for rental to anyone on a first come, first served basis. Although the renter is not required to be a Rowan County resident, our office reserves the right to direct producers to other units that may be located closer to them. The charge is $25.00 per day, with a three-day minimum rental period amounting to $75.00 total, and at present is payable only by exact cash or check.
What Is Included
The MPU is housed in a 5 ft.-by-8 ft. enclosed towable trailer. It requires a 2 in. ball hitch and working connectors for trailer lights and brakes. The following is a complete inventory of the equipment and supplies available inside the unit:- Large poultry cone — 8
- Large turkey cone — 1
- Extra-large turkey cone — 1
- Kill cone stand and base — 1
- Featherman scalder — 1
- Featherman plucker — 1
- Featherman Roto-Dunker — 1
- Five-gallon bucket — 2
- Storage bin (to collect feathers from plucker) — 1
- Garbage bin with lid — 1
- Water hose — 2
- Folding table — 2
- Hand truck — 1
Helpful Hints
Please read on for several suggestions for making processing poultry easier when using the MPU:- Process in a sloped area to aid in drainage.
- Set equipment left to right: first kill cones/stand, then scalder, then plucker, then evisceration tables.
- Process near a power source to prevent excessive use of drop cords.
- Scalder temperature should not be greater than 145°F before processing begins, so having a thermometer handy to monitor this is helpful. The scalder water will gradually cool to appropriately 130°F as the birds are scalded.
