Transporting birds on belly or back?

Submitted by P on 4/20/06 at 8:53 PM. ( ) 154.5.0.121

I've been getting Van Dykes messages with taxidermy tips in them via e-mail. The last one said that when transporting turkeys never place them on their back but only on their belly. Can someone tell me why this is? I'm only new to birds so I don't yet know all the reasons behind things. Thanks in advance.

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I've never heard of anything like that.

This response submitted by George on 4/21/06 at 10:52 AM. ( georoof@aol.com ) 152.163.100.133

I'm ASSUMING here, but I suspect who ever said that was playing mind games. If you field dress a bird, lying it on it's back MIGHT allow fluids to leak out on to the back feathers. Big deal. Turkeys usually get washed anyway. Other than that, I can't think of a single reason why anyone should worry about that.


And I wonder

This response submitted by George on 4/21/06 at 10:53 AM. ( ) 152.163.100.133

How the hell could you transport one on its belly without having braces on either side of it. Maybe an Oven Stuffer or a Butterball, but damned sure not a WILD turkey unless it's the type that comes in a clear bottle.


I thought it sounded strange

This response submitted by P on 4/21/06 at 7:54 PM. ( ) 154.5.85.203

Thanks. That's what I thought. It seems strange to transport on the belly rather than the back. If it was on it's belly you would think that it would just roll over and mess up the feathers.


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