How to Pluck a Duck

"Hunt, Gather, Cook" author Hank Shaw demonstrates how to pluck wild ducks using paraffin wax to remove the down, resulting in a clean, beautiful bird suitable for roasting whole.

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[michael mcneal]

can you do this with doves

[Holly Heyser]

I suppose you could, but doves are so easy to dry-pluck that I wouldn't go to all this trouble on them.

[mickeymurrs]

This way works, but it's not the easiest, fastest, or the cheapest. I don't use the wax, just keep the thumb moist when plucking and it comes clean very easily. Mallard ducks like in this video are easy to pluck. Search "Plucking Ducks" by DeltaWaterfoulVideo

[Holly Heyser]

Mickey, we also have a video on dry plucking on our youtube(dot)com/huntgathercook channel.

The point of waxing the duck isn't speed or frugality; it's getting a duck so clean it looks like you bought it from the store. Waxing means you don't have to singe off all the down you missed using the simpler thumb-and-forefinger method.

[Judith Weeteling]

Very useful instruction videos you have! I really respect you're work and choices. :]

[Holly Heyser]

Thank you! When you put this kind of effort into your food, it really makes you appreciate it a lot more.

[Holly Heyser]

Thank you for your intelligent and insightful commentary, Zeinab! Like most people on earth, I eat meat. Unlike most people, I hunt for mine instead of relegating the killing to farmers and slaughterhouses. In order to eat ducks, we have to pluck them first - while our cat will eat birds feathers and all, our digestive systems aren't that good. If you don't eat meat because you can't bear the thought of dead animals, you probably shouldn't watch instructional videos on processing dead animals.

[badboysmemo7]

nicee thanks :)

[mickeymurrs]

Yeah, I found your other video AFTER I opened my big mouth. LOL

[Charlotte Visser]

The feathers are gorgeous!!! I go to the butcher sometimes when the season is open and ask for the feathers :-)

[cdubb3]

Fantastic video thanks alot .

[binzsta86]

Why won't you put the duck in boiling water for 1 minute and take it out and pluck it? It comes right off when you pluck it

[Kenny Boun]

I wonder if duck feathers can be made into pillows :o