I need help with answers on feathers please

[Whispering Eagle]

I have recently been given some beautiful whole turkeys, six of them now. I am drying two tails and a long strip that came down the back of another one. One of my questions is, how can I take off individuals feathers without damaging them? I was told to just yank them out. This does not work....I found out the hard way. Do you blanch them? Won't that hurt the feathers? How do you cut the wings, tail and other parts off.....I mean where do you appropriately cut them off to use them, if you were making a whole wing fan or tail fan? I have so many questions, but these are just a few.

Some of these wild turkeys came from OK and they are just beautiful! Wow! The colors on them are irridecent...copper, golden, greens.....unreal. I am so thrilled to be blessed with these.

Thank you for any help you all my give me.

Whispering Eagle Casteel

[paintedsun22]

The back feathers are easy to pull out. Grab one or two at a time, grasping close to the skin. Put your other hand on the skin and pull with a quick jerk. I just cut the wing and tail feathers, I don't know of any other way. Also, be careful and make sure you have the necessary permits for the birds, especially if they are wild. Game wardens can really fine you big time. Good luck! What are you making?

[Blackbear]

how about cutting off where the tail begins, and just blanch the skin where they are rooted? I've died florettes before and that meant sticking some florettes in some boiling hot red dye... after I rinse them I let them dry partly and then used a hairdryer to blow dry them the rest of the way and they came right back all nice. But afterwards I also put a cuticle smoother on them.. you know that stuff that's clear for your hair, like Frizz eaze? All it does is take the tiny scales that make up the cuticle of your hair and smooth them down so you hair is shiny and easy to comb through.. it also helps relax curls slightly. The stuff works awesome on feathers.

[Whispering Eagle]

The back feathers are easy to pull out. Grab one or two at a time, grasping close to the skin. Put your other hand on the skin and pull with a quick jerk. I just cut the wing and tail feathers, I don't know of any other way. Also, be careful and make sure you have the necessary permits for the birds, especially if they are wild. Game wardens can really fine you big time. Good luck! What are you making?

Thanks Paintedsun22. I will try this with the back feathers. The guy that gave me these birds (some of these are from AL, by the way) he does have a license for hunting them. So I am save. They are not like having to have an Eagle feather....at least not here in AL. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. Whispering Eagle Casteel

[Whispering Eagle]

Blanching and Firzz Ease

how about cutting off where the tail begins, and just blanch the skin where they are rooted? I've died florettes before and that meant sticking some florettes in some boiling hot red dye... after I rinse them I let them dry partly and then used a hairdryer to blow dry them the rest of the way and they came right back all nice. But afterwards I also put a cuticle smoother on them.. you know that stuff that's clear for your hair, like Frizz eaze? All it does is take the tiny scales that make up the cuticle of your hair and smooth them down so you hair is shiny and easy to comb through.. it also helps relax curls slightly. The stuff works awesome on feathers.

Hi Blackbear...this tail is sooooooo huge that if I put it in hot water it will submerge the whole thing. I don't understand what you mean by just putting in where the tail began...I think I need to take some pics and put them on here to show y'all what I mean.....the feathers go up the tail...not just at the end, you know what I mean?

Frizz Ease??? It does not make the feathers oily looking?? Yes, I have used a hair dryer on feathers before, but did not know you could used this stuff on them...what does this do for them? Relax curls you said...what do you mean? They are already straight...Thank you for the idea...it sounds wonderful. I have some falcon feathers that are dry-rotted and this may bring them back to life, if they are not already to far gone...


Again, thanks for all the suggestions! WEC

[k9soldier]

I use a variety of feathers in the various crafts I do. The turkey fan or tail I use for feather paintings. I cut each layer of feathers on each side of quill base while the skin is still soft but dried some, they then will snap off induvidually when drier. the remaining skin will then twist off. remember to cut in the direction of "hair" there are many ways to straighten the seperations and curls. steam, toweled and ironed, I also spray with a light acrylic to "set" the hairs a bit before painting. good luck with your project.... what you workin' on?

[Whispering Eagle]

I use a variety of feathers in the various crafts I do. The turkey fan or tail I use for feather paintings. I cut each layer of feathers on each side of quill base while the skin is still soft but dried some, they then will snap off induvidually when drier. the remaining skin will then twist off. remember to cut in the direction of "hair" there are many ways to straighten the seperations and curls. steam, toweled and ironed, I also spray with a light acrylic to "set" the hairs a bit before painting. good luck with your project.... what you workin' on?

I am sorry, I meant to answer Paintedsun22 and you now, as to what I am doing with the feathers. I am going to paint some. Others, I am drying entire tail feathers (to hang on the wall) I will also be selling individual feathers and wings. I will probably sell some tails too, if this gentleman keeps on bringing these to me. Even our wild turkeys here, in AL are awesome, too! The colors are sooooo lovely.

K9soldier, what do you do with pheasant feathers? Another man gave me some that came from AZ that are the prettiest pheasant feathers I have ever laid eyes on...They are huge! And he left the ends on them...I am really not sure what to do with them. They are so beautiful that I want it to be very special......

Thanks for your ideas about getting the feathers out of the turkeys....wopila.

Whispering Eagle Casteel

[Blackbear]

Hi Blackbear...this tail is sooooooo huge that if I put it in hot water it will submerge the whole thing. I don't understand what you mean by just putting in where the tail began...I think I need to take some pics and put them on here to show y'all what I mean.....the feathers go up the tail...not just at the end, you know what I mean?

Yes I know what you mean and I meant, cut the skin to separate the back from the tail feathers and then just dip the skin in boiling wather, not the whole thing.

Frizz Ease??? It does not make the feathers oily looking?? Yes, I have used a hair dryer on feathers before, but did not know you could used this stuff on them...what does this do for them? Relax curls you said...what do you mean? They are already straight...Thank you for the idea...it sounds wonderful. I have some falcon feathers that are dry-rotted and this may bring them back to life, if they are not already to far gone...


Again, thanks for all the suggestions! WEC

No, it does not make the feathers oily looking. It gives them a nice restorative coating like the natural oils that the birds preen into them which is what you are washing out. By curles I meant in human hair... You don't want to use a ton of the stuff... dime sized drop covers all 3 feet length of my hair so you want to put the tinyest drop of the stuff in your hands , rub them together to warm it up and then just smooth it on the feather both sides. Frizz eaze is'nt the only brand either...
Sheer Brilliance by Rusk is one but it's pricey.. but the best ones come from hair salon places, but the less costly ones come from like walmart. Fructese brand has one , and there's
Got 2 B -Glossy, just don't use the milk smoothers, or cream smoothers... use the serums and polishers. All made for hair.

[Whispering Eagle]

Yes I know what you mean and I meant, cut the skin to separate the back from the tail feathers and then just dip the skin in boiling wather, not the whole thing.


No, it does not make the feathers oily looking. It gives them a nice restorative coating like the natural oils that the birds preen into them which is what you are washing out. By curles I meant in human hair... You don't want to use a ton of the stuff... dime sized drop covers all 3 feet length of my hair so you want to put the tinyest drop of the stuff in your hands , rub them together to warm it up and then just smooth it on the feather both sides. Frizz eaze is'nt the only brand either...
Sheer Brilliance by Rusk is one but it's pricey.. but the best ones come from hair salon places, but the less costly ones come from like walmart. Fructese brand has one , and there's
Got 2 B -Glossy, just don't use the milk smoothers, or cream smoothers... use the serums and polishers. All made for hair.

Yes, I understood, about cutting the skin away from the back but ...these tails are so huge...I don't have a pot big enough. I will have to go and buy one I guess. Thanks for clearing this up for me.

My word, how long is your hair??? Wow it sounds beautiful! I use proclaim that I get from Sally's Beauty Supply company. It does not have the millky smoother in it. I hope this is ok. Are you familiar with it? It sure helps my hair. And yes, you cannot use much on your own hair or it will defiantely make it look oily...that is why I asked you that question. I have sure messed my own hair up a long time ago, putting too much on my hair!


Thank you again for the information, Blackbear. Also, do you think that there is any hope for the Falcon feathers...they are so dry rotted ...I had traded for them, but did not realize at the time that mice had gotten into them and also they were so very dry. Will the Proclaim oil help to restore these too?

I wanted to ask another question, if you all do not mind. I have seen many feathers painted in acrilics, but I wanted to try them in oils....Do you know of anyone that has done this and will it work? I have always prefered oils over acrilics (just my preference) and wondered if it will work on the feathers....

Thanks again, y'all..

Whispering Eagle Casteel

[turtleclaninc]

Sekoh
what state of preserve were these birds in when you recieved them? whole with flesh?frozen skins? salted? uncared for and rotting fast? the hides need to be defleshed asap or put on ice and cured smoked, salted ,boraxed or brain tanned. if your after all the feathers. if your only interested in wing and tail feathers they can be cut out with a sharp knife carefully following the quill. You had stated that you were blessed by recieving these birds........to Iroquoian people and some other Tribes Turkeys are just are just as sacred as Eagles...so yes you were truly blessed. Hopefully as with any animal gift you recieve there was a cerimony held before hacking flesh ,breaking bones ECT. The wing bone should be carefully removed ..people make whistles from them. The remains should be handled justly. not discarted over the fence or tossed out in the trash. Remember these animals become our helpers when we use the feathers to make bustles ,fans and other Regaila also if there were any Toms save those beards. A lot of Roach makers here would cherish such a fine gift. Just a thought i'd pass since you seemed a bit lost. Good luck on your projects Onen ki wahi Skennen kowa Great peace to you.

[Blackbear]

My word, how long is your hair??? Wow it sounds beautiful! I use proclaim that I get from Sally's Beauty Supply company. It does not have the millky smoother in it. I hope this is ok. Are you familiar with it? It sure helps my hair. And yes, you cannot use much on your own hair or it will defiantely make it look oily...that is why I asked you that question. I have sure messed my own hair up a long time ago, putting too much on my hair!

Yeah it's about 3 feet long from crown to lowest point. It's not that thick though.. it looks thick when i have it down usually cause I've worn it in a braid the day before so it gets all bodied up and wavy the next day LOL!

I've not heard of Proclaim.. I imagine though that it's another similar product. Rusk used to be my favorite because of the way it smelled and my hair always got great compliments on the way it smelled from it..but they changed it and now it has no scent at all so I don't bother paying 15.00 for 2oz when I can get 5oz for 6 bucks at walmart with the Nutrisse products that smell good and work just as good.

Thank you again for the information, Blackbear. Also, do you think that there is any hope for the Falcon feathers...they are so dry rotted ...I had traded for them, but did not realize at the time that mice had gotten into them and also they were so very dry. Will the Proclaim oil help to restore these too?

You can try to use the proclaim oil to help them... just get your hands coated (not heavily) with it, then when you coat the feathers, start from the center (quill) and work out to the ends of the...(crap forgetting what they are called now.) of the soft part LOL... I'm drawing a huge blank for some reason... but handle it like you are trying to get a coating of the smoother on either side of a piece of paper with out it soaking through... best way to describe it .

I wanted to ask another question, if you all do not mind. I have seen many feathers painted in acrilics, but I wanted to try them in oils....Do you know of anyone that has done this and will it work? I have always prefered oils over acrilics (just my preference) and wondered if it will work on the feathers....

Thanks again, y'all..

Whispering Eagle Casteel

You have to coat the feather to be painted with a clear polyeurothane coat first and let it dry. The spray on kind works best. Oil paints are very heavy and would'nt suggest using them on feathers. I painted some turkey feathers with some designs on them for a mardi gras mask once and some for a crazy headband I made for a hat I had. Nothing tribal and nothing realistic looking, just like stripes, spots and such.

[Whispering Eagle]

Sekoh
what state of preserve were these birds in when you recieved them? whole with flesh?frozen skins? salted? uncared for and rotting fast? the hides need to be defleshed asap or put on ice and cured smoked, salted ,boraxed or brain tanned. if your after
all the feathers. if your only interested in wing and tail feathers they can be cut out with a sharp knife carefully following the quill. You had stated that you were blessed by recieving these birds........to Iroquoian people and some other Tribes Turkeys are just are just as sacred as Eagles...so yes you were truly blessed. Hopefully as with any animal gift you recieve there was a cerimony held before hacking flesh ,breaking bones ECT. The wing bone should be carefully removed ..people make whistles from them. The remains should be handled justly. not discarted over the fence or tossed out in the trash. Remember these animals become our helpers when we use the feathers to make bustles ,fans and other Regaila also if there were any Toms save those beards. A lot of Roach makers here would cherish such a fine gift. Just a thought i'd pass since you seemed a bit lost. Good luck on your projects Onen ki wahi Skennen kowa Great peace to you.

Hau Sicesi,

He got some from OK and some here in AL. The ones from OK were Frozen, and the ones from AL were fresh. He had taken the meat out to eat and gave me the empty shell (the whole bird though still with legs and head attached). I immediately put all of them into the deep freeze until I could find out how to properly remove the feathers, wings, etc. No, I would never just go hacking away at any animal. That is why I have been asking the proper way to do this. I would never put any remains in the trash...to be that is like being sac-religious. What does your tribe do with remains? I was so anxious to hurry up and get them in the freezer that I did not notice any but one bird, if they were Toms and this one bird was not. If I do have one, you may PM me with your address and I will be glad to figure out a way to get you. (The beard from the Tom, that is).

I do cherish these birds, VERY much. That is why I said I was "gifted" with them. I feel so honored, that they were given to me and so many of them. And that another peron blessed me with about a half dozen pheasant tails from AZ too.

I am not lost, I just want to do everything properly and in the respectfully. Wopila for your help and everyone else.

Toksa,

Whispering Eagle Casteel

[Whispering Eagle]

Yeah it's about 3 feet long from crown to lowest point. It's not that thick though.. it looks thick when i have it down usually cause I've worn it in a braid the day before so it gets all bodied up and wavy the next day LOL!

Your hair sounds beautiful. I know what you mean. When I braid mine, I usually do it in two braids and talk about curly...yuk! But it does make it look thicker. I used to have three times more hair than I do now, alas they call these the golden years...that person ought to be shot!


I've not heard of Proclaim.. I imagine though that it's another similar product. Rusk used to be my favorite because of the way it smelled and my hair always got great compliments on the way it smelled from it..but they changed it and now it has no scent at all so I don't bother paying 15.00 for 2oz when I can get 5oz for 6 bucks at walmart with the Nutrisse products that smell good and work just as good.

Do you have a Sally's Beauty Supply where you live? It is a great place to buy hair supplies! Proclaim is awesome..It makes your hair shiney and smooth...I just love it, but it is probably about as good as some of the ones that you have mentioned. It is in a huge bottle, thought as I need a lot on my hair and I go thru these little bottle too fast. Also if I am going to start using them on my feathers, I will stick with the Proclaim. It is not very expensive and works great. Can't wait to try it on the feathers. Thanks for telling me about this!



You can try to use the proclaim oil to help them... just get your hands coated (not heavily) with it, then when you coat the feathers, start from the center (quill) and work out to the ends of the...(crap forgetting what they are called now.) of the soft part LOL... I'm drawing a huge blank for some reason... but handle it like you are trying to get a coating of the smoother on either side of a piece of paper with out it soaking through... best way to describe it .

Tee hee hee, it is called a brain fog. I have them all the time. I understand what you are saying here. Wopila, girl. Can't wait to try it! I would never have thought to use this on a feather!





You have to coat the feather to be painted with a clear polyeurothane coat first and let it dry. The spray on kind works best. Oil paints are very heavy and would'nt suggest using them on feathers. I painted some turkey feathers with some designs on them for a mardi gras mask once and some for a crazy headband I made for a hat I had. Nothing tribal and nothing realistic looking, just like stripes, spots and such.

I see. Thank you again for the tip. Guess I will stick with the acrilics.....Mardi Gras Mask??? I thought you lived WAY up in the north!

Thanks again, Blackbear........Whispering Eagle Casteel

[Blackbear]

I do live way up here... but I lived most of my life in the St. Louis area of IL and ST.Louis has the 3rd largest mardi gras celebration in the world. betcha did'nt know that did ya?

[Whispering Eagle]

I do live way up here... but I lived most of my life in the St. Louis area of IL and ST.Louis has the 3rd largest mardi gras celebration in the world. betcha did'nt know that did ya?

No Mamm! I had no idea! I thought it was only down the in New Orleans! Learn sumin new every day, don't ya'! LOL!