In the heart of Nigeria, a groundbreaking innovation is set to revolutionize the poultry processing industry, particularly in regions where manual defeathering is still the norm. Olufemi Adeyemi Adetola, a researcher from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, has developed a poultry bird defeathering machine that promises to significantly enhance efficiency and productivity. The findings, published in the ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development, reveal a machine that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, offering a compelling case for widespread adoption.
The machine, designed using locally accessible materials, addresses a critical need in the poultry processing sector. With the global demand for chicken meat soaring, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the need for efficient and cost-effective defeathering solutions has never been more pressing. Adetola’s machine, powered by a 5.5-hp, three-phase electric motor, is a testament to ingenuity and practical engineering. “The machine is designed to be simple, cost-effective, and efficient,” Adetola explains, highlighting its affordability and ease of use.
The performance evaluation of the machine was conducted using fifteen cockerel chickens of varying weights, tested at three different speeds: 450, 500, and 550 rpm. The results were nothing short of impressive. The highest defeathering efficiency of 84.49% was achieved at 450 rpm, with a plucking time of 22.80 seconds. Even at the highest speed of 550 rpm, the machine maintained an efficiency of 80.98%, with a plucking time of 19.80 seconds. This translates to an average plucking time of 21.00 seconds per chicken, allowing the machine to defeather up to 171 chickens per hour.
The commercial implications of this innovation are vast. For small and medium-scale farmers and food processors, this machine offers a significant leap from manual defeathering methods. “The machine’s simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and improved efficiency make it a game-changer for the industry,” Adetola asserts. With a production cost of just $250, the machine is not only affordable but also a testament to the potential of local innovation in addressing global challenges.
The implications for the energy sector are equally compelling. The use of a three-phase electric motor ensures efficient energy consumption, reducing operational costs and environmental impact. This aligns with the growing trend towards sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in the agricultural sector.
As the demand for chicken meat continues to rise, innovations like Adetola’s defeathering machine will play a crucial role in meeting this demand efficiently and sustainably. The machine’s design, fabrication, and testing highlight the importance of local innovation in driving global progress. With its proven capacity and efficiency, this machine is poised to shape the future of the poultry processing industry, offering a blueprint for similar innovations in other sectors. The research, published in the ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development (Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti Journal of Engineering Research and Development), underscores the potential of local research in addressing global challenges.
