Am having trouble with the front edge of these feathers curling back making it very hard to get a smooth, full look to the white and black barring. Not sure why they are doing this or how to fix them. Suggestions appreciated.Thank you.
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
Jim, go to the orange search button and type in woodduck side pocket feathers, you will see the answer to some of the problems, if this does not help you can email me with questions. JoAnn
Hi Jim,
Those darn pocket feathers can be a real pain sometimes. I was thinking maybe your wing isn't tucked in far enough? You might want to make sure that you've got the wings positioned right because I've been in the same boat as you before on the first woodie I did. I finally got the wing bone up on the body where it was supposed to be and got the wing set right, and then they seemed to lay down better. I also found if you take a piece of carding and get the feathers where you want them and put the strip of carding on the way you want, and then just run a pin through the carding right into the bird. But don't push it down too hard so the feathers have a flat look. This will hold them in place until dry. Also, plenty of caulk on the inside of the skin helps them move where you would like them. Well, I hope some of this helps. Good Luck.
BlackDuck
Thank you for your responses. I am not Having trouble with alignment or fit but rather the feather has an actual curl to it. I'll try to describe. If you had a sheet of paper in front of you , holding it upright, curl the right side of the sheet back on itself, not a lot but enough to interupt the pattern of the lines, this is what Ive got with these feathers. I did try the archives first but came across nothing helpful. I hope this description helps. Thank you . Jim
How are you drying your bird? Side pocket feathers are very susceptable to heat damage if you are using a hot air device. There is also the chance that the Actual feather itself is twisted... that however would be realtively easy to notice and correct.
Also.. if you're not getting the down dried on the side pockets they wont lay right..
are you getting a smooth junction between the thigh and the body? There would normally be fat here to smooth over that junction.. lack of it causes a sharp junction resulting in side pocket dismay.
there could also be a cleansing issue here.
At what point does the feather start to curl... is it curled before assembly or does it happen during? If it is fine before assembly.. then I'd study your underlying anatomy and see if something inside is the culprit. If the feather already has a curl to it before assembly then I'd say there is some issue with cleansing/drying.
of course you could just be having a Bad wood duck day.. I still have then from time to time myself.. hehe
Good Luck.
Jon
actually, it is a twist in the feather which occures on each one of the pocket feathers. This is causing them to fold or curl back on themselves. I've considered tumbling them less or using less heat from the hairdrier. I would be interested in knowing how you straighten these twists out. Again, thank you for your responses. Jim
But He's off hunting Caribou or some other smelly large reindeer looking creature...
Anyhow.
I will run my birds through the spin cycle on the washing machine.. This gets most of the water out. I will then soak in either Coleman Fuel or Acetone long enough to completly saturate the feathers and displace the remaining water.. Then I run through the spin cycle again. After the final spin the bird will come out pretty much dry.. I will hit it with a shop vac on reverse to fluff things and dry whatever remaining moisture there is.
I have never in 20 some odd years tumbled a bird.....don't know why. just haven't. no particular reason to my madness on that one.
Anyhow.. I think you're problem may be layin in how long you are tumbling them combined with excessive heat. If you feel brave working with the hazardous chems I mentioned, give it a go and see if you're problem doesn't resolve itself.
Good Luck,
Jon
....that couldn't be steamed back into shape. In fact hairs will react to steam about the same way. I bought a small electric hand steamer many years ago and it's been a life saver in many cases like this one you're facing.You might want to invest in one yourself. Good luck....JL
it is much appreciated that you are all so willing to share your suggestioms . Thank you all very much! Jim