What gauge wire do you guys typically use for a the legs on a standing wood duck? On a standing teal?
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I did a search and found that most use 14 gauge as I have been using.
I know I should search before asking.
My rule of thumb is to use the largest wire I can get through the leg with out damaging or distorting it. On a wood duck, if one removes the leg tendons you can get a larger wire through - My preference is 12 guage - but it really is what works for you. If the tendons are not removed is it much harder to get large wire through the legs and over the knee. If you have a selection of wire, I would encourage you to be less concerned about the guage and more concerned about what you can get to work that is as stable as possible. A teal is smaller and generally can not accomodate the same wire size as a wood duck - possibly a 14 guage would work better with a teal, but, again, larger is better particularily if you are thinkling of a position where the duck is standing on one leg. It is also possible to use different wires in each leg. A duck with the head bent back scratching a cheek with one foot while standing on the other leg would be one example of where differnt wires in each leg would be probable - a smaller wire for the scratching foot and a larger one for the standing foot. Good Luck.