I've never noticed the big deal and I've always used the "neck material" sold by major suppliers to make my bird necks. To get them to the proper shape, I've always used my bird flesher or as we call it, the wire wheel. Select the material that has the diameter of the base of the birds neck. Then take it to your defatting wheel and begin shaping it. The wire wheel carves beautifully without leaving the flat sides that cutting it with a knife will. Don't force it, however, as you will cut right through the foam just like you would the bird skin.
Many times the new neck won't fit inside the birds skin and you fear tearing it. Here's an OLD OLD trick. Take liquid soap and wipe the neck material down with it. Wipe off any excess and insert the neck material. The soap will act as a lubricant and it's high pH will act in concert with the DP or Borax to preserve the skin.
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I will try both suggestions. I make my own necks and have also had the problem of not being able to move the neck skin around as freely as I'd like. Thanks again.