"WINGTIPS" # 38 Potato starch "drying"

[wingman]

Hello ! I had a few free moments this evening and decided to post up a new wingtip on drying birds with potato starch. I learned the method from a longtime friend David Luke. Hopefully he wont be to upset with me for sharing the knowledge   Its a great method to learn should "tweetie" birds and the like end up on your workbench. Birds with "FLUFFIE" plumage such as owls- tweeties- some grouse/quail- Doves parrots Etc. Etc. ... All dry very quickly and completely with this method. I will number the steps to break it up a little, On a sidenote, I had typed this entire tutorial out took me about 35 minutes and my Left hand hit a button, I do NOT know which one LOL, on the top left of my computer and my ENTIRE tutorial, all nicely typed out, FRIGGIN DISSAPEARED. Talk about a true FRUSTRATING moment   ANYWAY here is the method. This isnt a "new" method as I know they used plaster of paris in the old days with the same results, just n0 worries with potato starch on it gumming up in the feathers or hardening against the skin. First you need to get the" PS" That's Potato starch through the rest of this tutorial. I got mine from a health food store, Its kinda expensive but I did by a 50 pound bag which so far has lasted me about 2 years and I still have a lot left smaller quantities will certainally work. I then made a drawer which slides in place under my workbench, once again not necessary as a box will do BUT I like to pull the drawer out, fluff my bird, and push the drawer back in place. The pictures will explain it BEST but here is the method in text... The bird in the photos is a Gold?Blue Macaw Adds some nice color to a rather dull Wingtip  

Wash and GAS the bird skin as usuall. *** on a sidenote, I Gas all my birds, I do NOT know whether this method will work on a non gassed skin, Perhaps someone can answer that question?***

The next step is to "damp" the skin between towels removing as much fluids from the plumage and skin as possible

Now place The skin on top of the PS and cover the entire skin and plumage with PS, It absorbs the fluids rather quickly, Tap the PS off the plumage and repeat, You will notice the plumage is quite dry and starting to get "FLUFFIE" before your eyes.

Now gently tap as much of the PS off the plumage as possible, A long tweezers and soft toothbrush aid in the removal of the remaining PS

Now place the skin in an area with good ventilation and Blow the remaining PS off the skin and plumage You will be amazed at how dry and fluffie the plumage is even at this stage

Now I borax the entire body cavity/skin side of the bird VERY thoroughly, Hit with the hair dryer to aid in any final fluffing and there your bird is ready to wire up! An average sized bird is dry in minutes with this method For example a ruffed grouse from gas to wiring about 5-8 minutes.

This method is not for all birds but will work wonders on some of the mentioned species and types of birds. The following photos will outline the method and will show the steps written above, GOOD LUCK!!!

[wingman]

THESE TWO PHOTOS SHOW THE BIRD IN "MID FLUFF" AND READY TO BLOW THE REMAING PS OUT OF THE PLUMAGE

[wingman]

BORAXING THE SKIN AND THE FINAL ''FLUFFING'' WITH THE HAIR DRYER

[wingman]

And the final photo of the two skins fully dried and ready to wire.

[coonhollow]

thank you! we use Potato Starch by the ton's at work...

[cast_n_blast]

Did you get your potato starch at the store on Orange St?  You didn't have to where a tie dyed shirt and hemp sandles to go in did you? LOL.  Thanks for the post

[cast_n_blast]

Did you get your potato starch at the store on Orange St?  You didn't have to where a tie dyed shirt and hemp sandles to go in did you? LOL.  Thanks for the post

[cast_n_blast]

Didn't mean to post it twice, had server problem sorry

[taxos]

does the inside of the skin stays soft enough to work with after the PS?

[stargazer644]

Thanks for sharing that method wingtip. Just one point,  I assume corn starch could not be used instead of potato starch.  Many thanks and wishing you well, stargazer.

[ljones]

you can get the same results using plaster  , just rember you have to gas the skins , if you use water you will have to use a hamer and chisel to get the skin out 

[SteveP]

Thanks Eugene, great! as usual.

After I find some PS, I'll let you know how it works on a non-gassed bird.

[taxos]

It works great when you have a nasty spot to clean, where some grease is left.

[rook313]

What would be the pros and cons to using this process on waterfowl. In comparison to drying with a blow dryer alone, not a tumbler.

[wingman]

Rook, I do not use this method on waterfowl at all,  star... I do NOT know whether corn starch can be substituted or not? Taxos the skin stays workable just like any other drying method you may need to mist the skin side down if it drys to fast. I did get a pm stating that this method CAN be used on Non gassed skins,And cast/blast Yes the "'Good food store" on Orange is where I found it, No ty dyed shirt or sandals with socks were used to purchase it though!