cleaning the feathers

Submitted by nicole on 11/3/04 at 10:21 AM. ( ) 199.17.2.128

hello
I'm doing a project for school in bird taxidermy. I recently did a couple of birds, but I've had problems with the feathers looking crummy, especially around the incision on the belly. They look dirty and don't lay flat and they seem to stick together. I have limited resources available so any suggestions on how to get the feathers to look normal? thanks

Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu


They probably have fat on them

This response submitted by Junipera on 11/3/04 at 12:53 PM. ( ) 66.66.1.216

wash the area with a small amount of dish washing soap, use a blow dryer. Suggest getting a book at the library about taxidermy.


Or

This response submitted by Alex on 11/3/04 at 3:35 PM. ( advancetaxidermyall@hotmail.com ) 66.32.78.4

You allowed body fluids to soak the feathers, public libraries do have books on taxidermy that can show you how to wash the skins and fluf the feathers back, so they look clean and crisp.

if the feathers don't lay down on the incision is because when you sewed them back to gether you caught feathers with your your sewing string.You have to keep the feathers or down from being caught with the stitches.
Good luck


Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu