I have a mallard drake in the freeer that I can afford to mess up if it comes down to that. I'm looking for an alternative to making an incision on the back of the neck or the throat. I was told that taking the skull out from the front was just as easy as making the incision on the back and cleaning it that way. My question is this: As I start to cut the skin away from the beak, do I pull and fold it back like I would if I were leaving the skull attached? Looking at this mallard, I'm having a hard time believing the skull will fit through that hole without making any other incisions. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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ok so you have a hard time believing that the head will fit thru the hole that is made by skinning out the head at the bill. I have done well over 400 birds and I use that incision on just about all of the birds I do. there is the occasion that I choose not to due to some unforseen circumstance but mostly skin it at the bill. just start off using a very sharp scalpel and make the incision at the feather line. carefully work the skin back over the head taking care not to cut an eye or thru the skin and you will be ok. This WILL work. just give it a try. what do you have to lose? I replace the skull with an artificial head and use some zap a gap to carefully glue it back together. good luck
I have seen the method done but it just seemed baffling. Planning on working on the bird tomorrow and may or may not get to that point. But thanks for the info.
Reid
I use artifical heads and skin from the beak back. I use my thumb nail to work it back evenly and I'm very cautious around the eyes and ears. The inside corners of the bill require the most care. ::corner of the mouth "
I use this method with all of my birds and it works very well. Just get a good light and a sharp scalpel and dig in. Like above poster said, be careful around corners.
You will find that using the artificial heads saves a ton of time. Plus, you can pre-paint the head and not have to worry about overspray if you use the original skull. Use the gel type super glue, apply to artificial head first and then use a pin and pull the skin into place. It sets in seconds and it looks just as good.
Have any of you had problems with the skin coming loose down the road?Just curious. I make a throat cut on all of mine.
If your concerned with the skin letting loose around the face then use tech bond ...
It pays to use quality materials....