Plucking

The chief problem with plucking, for someone who hasn’t done it before, is controlling the feathers, so choose a small room with an easily swept floor (on a still day it can be done out of doors). Sit down with the bird on a table in front of you and a large carrier bag or cardboard box at your feet or on your lap.

Hold the bird by one wing and start under the wings, pulling a few feathers at a time with a sharp pinching tug. Always pull in the direction they are pointing, not against the grain, or you may tear the skin. Carry on plucking from the wings and lower neck, steadily leaving the skin bare and working towards the tail. When you come to the big strong wing feathers pull them out one by one.