How do you get the back feather's to stand up on a strutting bird?
any help would be greatAn email address of someone who could help would save alot of problem's Thank's
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First, and most important, you need the form to fit the turkey. Not too big
or the feathers will tend to flatten to the body as it drys.
Personally, I staple latch-hook canvas to the back of the bird. Latch-
hook canvas is a plastic sheet you can buy at craft stores, etc. that has square holes in it for yarn.
The bigger the holes the better. If you use it, you must make sure the feather butts are very clean so they can
go into the holes. after you taxi the skin on the bird, simply lift the back feathers and let them settle into the canvas.
If they don't stand up perfectly at first, just come back periodically and adjust.
It works for me.
Art
Hang that bird so it is hanging with the face pointing to the floor. This will allow the feathers to fall forward in a standing position, where the will dry. I suggest the Turkey videos from Van Dykes! The Cally Morris Feature in Breakthrough Magazine isues 66-68 also have some great tips, though the process is very diffrent!