Tanning bird hides

cricket · #1 10/30/05, 10:54 AM

Does anyone have taxidermy experience? I want to preserve the hides of some birds and can't find any cohesive information on how to do it. Specifically, I want to preserve pheasant. I don't want to mount it...just tan the hide. The birds are so beautiful that I just can't throw away the feathers, etc. Thanks...

#2 10/30/05, 01:09 PM

I think what I would try is to remove as much fat and meat as possible and then salt the flesh side heavely. Then fold in half (flesh side to flesh side) and then roll up if possible. Place it where it can drain for about 24 hours then unroll and remove the salt. Then make a paste using Borax powder and water and apply to the flesh side and let dry. After a few days crust off as much paste as you can and you should end up with a preserved hide.

minnikin1 · #3 10/30/05, 05:38 PM

My in-laws were taxidermists before lyme disease became a big problem in their area.
I asked my father in law your question and he said the procedure is arduous - he hated doing birds.
First, they are washed in an alcohol solution to draw the fats out.
Then they are put in a drying chemical/sawdust combination inside a tumbler.

After that, the feathers are no longer "feather-like". They stick together from the washing. They had to separate the fibers with a pin - a process that took many hours.

Good luck with your mission - if you decide to take it!

jennigrey · #4 10/30/05, 05:55 PM

do you want to tan the hide or just preserve it? the tanning process is long and involved but you end up with a nice supple skin with feathers. simply preserving the hide is easier but you end up with a rigid plank of hide with feathers.

cricket · #5 10/30/05, 08:40 PM

Not sure. I didn't realize there was a difference. I think I would like to try both ways and then go from there. I have no idea what I want them for other than they are too pretty to just toss. I know WHAT the difference is...just not sure what my preference is. I've heard of kits or a substance they are soaked in but can't find it...Luten-F?

GrannyG · #6 10/30/05, 08:47 PM

My friend is also trying to find a way to tan or save the chicken skin and feathers. She says people want the feathers to make fishing flys from, and she wants to save them for that, some will buy them.

jennigrey · #7 10/30/05, 10:31 PM

what i've used in the past and what i'd recommend trying is "30 Minute Bird Tan". a pound is usually around $10 and you only need to use a couple of ounces to do one bird. after it dries it does get kind of stiff, but still pliable.

i'm not sure exactly how you'd go about making it supple like leather, since i've never done it myself. i know it CAN be done and i know it's difficult. the main problem is that when you're making leather from, say, a mammal, you have to scrape the inside of the skin and work it in order to make it soft. doing that with a bird skin tends to make the feathers push through the other side. also, bird skin is so incredibly thin, it tends to tear rather than stretch during the softening process. it's not a good beginner's project.

if you just want to preserve the skin so the feathers can be used later, do like r.h. in oklahoma said and use salt and borax.

silentcrow · #8 10/30/05, 10:50 PM

Check VanDyke's taxidermy site. I get their catalog every year. They carry kits and supplies for all kinds of preservation work.

#9 10/31/05, 08:28 AM

Yes Vandykes carries several tanning solutions and the have a technical hot line that you can call and they will tell you the best way to preserve your skin/feathers.

www.vandykestaxidermy.com