I am going to try to mount a turkey that is flying. I am getting ready to skin it out and would like to know a few things to help me keep from messing it up. After skining i am planing on using Borax to cover skin side.And then freezing till i order every thing i need.But i don't want to mess up the feathers.IS Borax ok to us? What is the best way to freeze without messing up the feathers? any other tips would be appreciated.
Thank you very much for any help you can give me
Alan
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Alan,I hope you have a fleashing machine,if not you might want to order a wheel and make a homemade one out of a drill.I'm not a pro but even with a flesher it take's me four to five hour's to flesh a turkey.I'm probably doing it to much,but I don't know if that is possible.As for freezing I don't put anything on them and try to freeze them in water in a large contianer after it's fleshed.I'm no pro but this work's for me.Take your time fleshing if you start to get frustrated walk away for a little while.Good luck!
Alan,
First of DON'T cover the skin with borax before freezing any bird skin... All you need to do is make sure you fold the skin up, skin to skin with the feathers on the outside. Place skin in a plastic bag, wrap it tight getting as much of the air out of the bag. No need to place in a "large contianer with water" unless you plan on leaving it in your freezer for 5 years ! Thats just a BIG waist of space in your freezer. As far as the feathers go.... Don't worry about them they will be just fine... Just make sure you don't bend the tail around to much. Small bends won't hurt it, they will straighten right back out, but if you kink them to far you will have a problem.
After you have the bird skinned you need to decide what your going to do with the head.. If you plan on getting it freezed dryed, take the head off so that you can send it away to be done. Or I'm sure you can buy one already done, or maybe your planning on using an artificial one.
You never asked about fleshing so I'm suspecting you have that under control.... and maybe you have the head taken care of too, but i thought I would add that bit of info...
Have FUN !
What are your plans for the head. Are you going to try it or are you sending it out and or are you going to use an artificial one.
Alan, Best of luck on your first turkey.I use dry presetive from McKenzie boarx works but like dry pres. best.Make sure the featers are layed down before you frezze the bird. Best of Luck.
Frank,
I am going to order one from Van Dykes.
For all of you guys help . Thank you very much.
Alan if you flesh your turkey real good and then what to freeze it, it is best to lay a wet towel on the skin side then freeze. I usually do all my fleshing and degreasing and washing and tumble a little while then freeze with wet towel do your boraxing when you take it out and are ready to mount it