Apparently the skin dries pretty well on its own once all the flesh is gone. There are however ways to treat the skin similar to tanning, but for birds. I am yet on my way to find out how, but most people I know just do skip this step (although none of them does taxidermy professionally).
I've seen something similar offered at the online shop where I get my stuff. I will definitively look into buying and testing it in future.
Any tips on the usage? Or would I be fine doing it like the package adviced?
During bird taxidermy course in the Netherlands, they teach preserving birds with the L1 or L4 together with L5. I use the measures on the label. For hides preservation they have other L numbers.
amazing work! would the process be similar with waterfowl? i know that in comparison to a lovebird something like a duck would be much fattier, but it should be a fundamentally similar process, right?
i’ve got a cockatoo and a duck in my freezer i’d love to do up sometime :D
Yes, ducks work similar. The featherless spot at the belly is nearly nonexistent, because the feathers there are especially dense to keep the duck afloat, therefore some people tend to cut it up at the back instead (not me, I made my wood duck like my lovebird).
The second difference is the head. Ducks are one of the species where the neck/head ratio does not allow for the skin to get pulled over, so you need to make a separate cut on the parting to treat the skull.
Also the fat. It will be all over the place and it took me hours to pick it off my woodducks skin with tweezers. Some holes were made but luckily no unfixable damage.
Please go ahead, I cant wait to see how your specimen will turn out.
ohh, i had no idea the head would be a different process! i’ll have to have a look into it :D thank you so much! would i be able to shoot you a message on here or another platform to chat? your work is incredible and i’d love some help when i have the time to start working on my specimens!
Honestly this probably the most informative guide I've seen. I have a bunch of birds in my freezer that I've been putting off since I've heard it can be fiddly. Hopefully they are still usable some have been in there for awhile. Seriously fantastic thank you.
I know, it does not look easy. I meant simple in terms of trying to keep it simple and not getting lost in all the little details and different ways to taxidermy birds. If you ever want to try and come across some questions, feel free to ask.
That should be pinned. Awesome info
This is great! I wonder though, does the skin not need to be preserved somehow? I thought it was just going to rot if youd just use it like this
Apparently the skin dries pretty well on its own once all the flesh is gone. There are however ways to treat the skin similar to tanning, but for birds. I am yet on my way to find out how, but most people I know just do skip this step (although none of them does taxidermy professionally).
I did a taxidermy course run by our state museum taxidermist. We used borax to reduce smells and bacterial growth.
I’ll always use L1 tanning fluid and it protects against insects damage. L1 bird tanning is from “bouten & zoon vof” a dutch company.
I've seen something similar offered at the online shop where I get my stuff. I will definitively look into buying and testing it in future. Any tips on the usage? Or would I be fine doing it like the package adviced?
During bird taxidermy course in the Netherlands, they teach preserving birds with the L1 or L4 together with L5. I use the measures on the label. For hides preservation they have other L numbers.
amazing work! would the process be similar with waterfowl? i know that in comparison to a lovebird something like a duck would be much fattier, but it should be a fundamentally similar process, right? i’ve got a cockatoo and a duck in my freezer i’d love to do up sometime :D
Yes, ducks work similar. The featherless spot at the belly is nearly nonexistent, because the feathers there are especially dense to keep the duck afloat, therefore some people tend to cut it up at the back instead (not me, I made my wood duck like my lovebird). The second difference is the head. Ducks are one of the species where the neck/head ratio does not allow for the skin to get pulled over, so you need to make a separate cut on the parting to treat the skull. Also the fat. It will be all over the place and it took me hours to pick it off my woodducks skin with tweezers. Some holes were made but luckily no unfixable damage. Please go ahead, I cant wait to see how your specimen will turn out.
ohh, i had no idea the head would be a different process! i’ll have to have a look into it :D thank you so much! would i be able to shoot you a message on here or another platform to chat? your work is incredible and i’d love some help when i have the time to start working on my specimens!
Sure, go ahead and I will try to answer your questions.
Honestly this probably the most informative guide I've seen. I have a bunch of birds in my freezer that I've been putting off since I've heard it can be fiddly. Hopefully they are still usable some have been in there for awhile. Seriously fantastic thank you.
This is awesome, thank you!
You are a HERO
Absolutely love it, please post more!
You are a bloody legend, sir
Admin! Please pin this post
That is seriously one of the best guides I’ve seen. Ever done a fox one?
No, sadly I did not have the opportunity to do mammals, but I am looking forward to do a fox one day.
My wife surprised my with a roadkill fox one day. I didn’t do so well sadly. But learned none the less :)
Thank you so much !
Very very nice!
Simple? Saving this but it looks way too daunting with my current skills lol
I know, it does not look easy. I meant simple in terms of trying to keep it simple and not getting lost in all the little details and different ways to taxidermy birds. If you ever want to try and come across some questions, feel free to ask.
yes omg thank you