I am doing my 1st Quail. I am using a Van Dykes kit. I have a few questions. I had to size the form because it was to big. Should the form be a little smaller than the original bird body? The reason I ask is because when I pre-fit the skin it seemed a little tight. I am afraid to stretch the skin because it seems so thin and I don't want it to rip. Now I know it makes sense to make the body smaller but I wanted to know if the skin shrinks a little. Also the skin seems so thin I was wondering if there is an alternant way to sew the incision....maybe just using pins and form past will be good enough?
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Sounds like your form is still too big..Most bird taxidermists including myself like the form to be a little smaller than the actual body was, gives you a little room to taxi your skin into the right position..
I've heard of people glueing the skin in place with only the tiniest of birds, like song birds..otherwise you will need to sew the skin..take your time and make sure your feather patterns line up correctly before sewing..
Yes, the skin will shrink up a bit as it dries
Good luck
TJ
those little styrofoam eggs they sell at all craft stores for 20 cents, trace the carcass and carve the foam egg down to fit, wire up your necking and voila......a perfect body, I've found those eggs big enough to do grouse and some small ducks like teal and buffles. Oh, just my 3 cents, sew everything you wish to stay together, especially if you may need to "taxi"