Drying Wings

[benj]

I just tried to dry a pair of wings, did it as the books say, but they became infested with maggots. How do people dry their wings succesfully?

Benj

[WildEd]

Use borax to preserve them.

[Jay]

Depending on the humidity I can usually just leave them out in the sun I just make sure their isn't to much meat on them.

[longwing]

Dry them as quickly as possible, on a nice sunny day. Or in an oven on a low heat for a day...if your parents aren't home. ^^

[morganf]

Would salt work to help dry them faster, and keep the meat from getting infested? I know pioneers used to salt their meats to keep them preserved and keep away the maggots.

Longwing - that must create an interesting smell lol

[birdguy888]

I spread mine out on a piece of cardboard and hold them in place with some str8 pins. I then put a piece of fine wire mesh (like the screen used for window screens) over them and put them in the sun on a nice hot summer day. They dry quickly and then I tie them together to make my lures!

[longwing]

Salt's a good idea, with one flaw: it is very bad for your bird.
Eddie's idea is the best if you have nice weather, but here in the depressing climate of Britain where summer is a glimpse through the clouds, we must resort to our heaters and our hairdryers.
Yeah, the smell does get interesting...lol, I cover it up with the scent of "everglade vanilla and marigold". Just make sure you clean the oven afterwards...

[WildEd]

Use borax that is what bird taxidermists use.

[uthawker]

borax is a good preservative,but like salt it could cause some problems with your bird. if its winter and the bugs are dead you can just tack them on a peace of cardboard. but this time of year I would recommend eddies idea.

[porch]

The key is to get most of the meat off and get them to dry quickly - then I just lay them out on sunny days. When the weather is bad (or if you live in the UK lol) I put them on my furnace in the basement and they dry out pretty fast.

[longwing]

THAT'S a good idea. Is a furnace like...an oven? Or like a fire?
Ooo an aga would be good...

[morganf]

longwing - a furnace is like a fireplace, but it warms the house. generally in the basement. It's like central heat, but from way back, you stoke the fire and the warmth generated gets pushed through pipes into rooms. I don't think you want to put them in the furnace though, lol.. maybe on or near

[longwing]

hehe that WOULD be an interesting smell...in every room...ANYWAY I think you have it there, Benj: lots of ways to dry wings. Take your pick.