A customer brought me a beautiful black duck. When I inverted the head to clean the skull, I found a pretty severe break just in front of the eyes. It's not a shot hole so I assume it was the result of dispatching a cripple. A lot of support seems to have been lost and I'm not sure what effect it would have on the head's appearance after drying. I thought about filling the skull with clay for support. Any suggestions? I have never used an artificial head before and hate to experiment with it on a customers bird. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
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hey
I have encountered the same problem before. After u dry the duck fill the head with clay(it set's up harder for more support) then clean real good at the break and apply a thin layer of crazy glue at the break. be sure to allign the break as close as you can get it before applying the glue. allow time to dry so that the glue doesn't stick to the fethers and we will be all set to go. I done this very opperation and it wasn't noticable at all
good luck
B&B waterfowl Taxidermy
Brandon Britt
I recomend you use an arifical head,once you try it you will never go back, they are very easy to use,and I would recomend you use a good quality head, they are about 10.00, if you have any questions you can e-mail me and I will be glad to help. thanks Gregg
Once you try it you won't do it any other way...
Sure cast heads are easier to use. But what happens down the road a year or two. Supplies get lost in shipping, you have to get that bird mounted for whatever the reason is. TAAA DAAA still no supplies.
No the client is on your ass.
You decide to go ahead and mount the bird, whoa shike, the skull is nothing but gel.
What will you do?
Some of us old timers have carve the skulls for many a bird. Many others have pieced the skull back together with super glue.
I say go with the real head, for the experience.