I'm currently trying to mount some of my quail chicks I hatched that didn't make it how might I mount them?
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Just think of them as extremely tiny birds. Even hummingbirds can be mounted, and they won't be much smaller than those - probably larger in fact.
I find that it helps when mounting chicks to first soak them in denatured alcohol. It is easier to see what you are doing if they are wet. Blow dry them gently after they are mounted.
Except for the tiny size and correspondingly thin skin, they aren't too hard. That fluff will cover a lot of errors.
were do I get the Mannekins?
Send them top a freeze dry guy! Cheap easy, realistic
do you need any special machines or supplies to freze dry chicks.
I am going to change my advice to suggesting freeze-drying, because if you have to ask about where to get the manninkins I don't think you are experienced enough to tackle skin mounting a baby chick.
With freeze-drying you don't need any special materials other than some well insulated shipping containers and possibly some blue ice (that gel stuff.)
You pack up the baby chicks (frozen solid) and ship them overnight to someone with a freeze dryer who will process them for you for a reasonable fee per chick. You won't have complete control over the pose, but most people who run freeze dryers will try to set them up as you wish.
Or you might be able to purchase a used freeze-dryer. I think I have seen them as low as around $3000.00, not including shipping. 'Seems a little pricey to me, so I have held off on getting one for myself.
BTW, little bird bodies can be carved from tiny scraps of foam. A whole FLOCK of quail chicks could be made from what is left over after altering a deer form.
Nancy M.
thanks.