Wild Feather Care

[spilleddi]

I just plucked a road kill turkey today, wondering if the feathers should be treated to kill the bugs on them. I have had success killing bugs on goose feathers by cooking them in the oven on low, but I always end up burning some, or they'll smell funny afterwords. Washing them in fea and tick shampoo also works, but its difficult to get the shape of the feathers back after they dry. I've also been told to dip the tip of each quill in alcohol, but I have hundreds of little feathers. Any comment on how you guys treat feathers, or if you have ever had any problems at all with bugs eating up wild turkey feathers? I'll be using these feathers on my cape.

[Cheekis]

Put them in a zip lock bag and freeze them for six to eight weeks.

Joyce

[Tom]

Hello! I'd try putting them in with moth balls, it's what I'd use, after wards when you feel astho' they are bug free put bay leaves in with them it is supposed to keep out silver fish moths etc, hope all is well.!

[Tom]

When cleaning feathers I usually add 2 in 1 shampoo to very hot water to disslove it and then add a lot of cold water, let them soak over night and rinse several times, hang to dry and then re connect any vane thats open.
When placing them in a dye bath it should be warm and strong but not overly hot, also I try just to set them on the surface of the water and them submerge them gently.
Remember they are the same materials as a hair is.
The shampoo makes them very soft and plyable but this may not be waht you want so to strengthn them try a fine sray startch and when you know that they are totally dry iron the back first with a low iron heat setting, then the front side, straighten by pressing your thumb into the hard quill surface and then trim to form; start trimming at the top and cut down wards.
For a conformity of shape you may want to use a template for the top or tip form.
Just some quick points of interest.

[spilleddi]

Thanks for the tip, by 2 in 1 shampoo, do you mean two parts shampoo to one part water? Or is that a brand of shampoo?

[Tom]

Hey there no 2in 1 shampoo is the type comes in many brands and has the conditioner in the shampoo, pretty common up here.