I have noticed the chaulky powder like resin on the legs and feet of my live Chukar reference. I am currently working on a bird for a test and competition. And was woundering what this actually is?(does it have a name?) and do you bird guys reproduce this? If so how do you do it? Thanks Much in Advance!
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'Got your question on my email, Ernie, but that old account doesn't always send replies anymore so I will answer you here.
As far as I know it's just dander and dead skin. You can re-create it if you want to, but most people don't bother.
Are your live chukars kept on wire or in a very bare pen? I ask because I think that causes them to have a lot more dander on their legs than the wild ones do. In the wild they constantly rub it off by walking through vegetation, etc, not to mention dust bathing.
If you want to re-create it, it could be done much like doing any other kind of color inlay. Paint the legs like you want them and then seal them. Add water and some liquid soap to some white cake-type watercolor (in those little sets that schoolkids use) and paint it over the feet. Let it dry, and then wipe off the excees with a Q-tip. It will stay in the cracks and etc. and look just like body dander. (And if you don't like the way it looks you can wipe it off completely without hurting your paint.)
My chukars are living in my sunroom as of now no cage I get to see them climb all over my furniture etc. Up the couch run to the sliding door back to the couch,up on the table etc.... They like sleeping together.On an old down filled blanket. A little messy but I can see them all day.. Now I wished I just had some Buffle heads...LOL
I thought this was just body dander.But wasn't sure. Thanks for the help ..