The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on July 31, 2009, 11:08:06 pm

Title: feathers
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 31, 2009, 11:08:06 pm

I just plucked our first duck. I kept the feathers for now, they seem to good to sling and might attract foxes if I put them on the compost. Did anyone ever make things out of them, if so, what and how?  :&>

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: doganjo on July 31, 2009, 11:59:02 pm

All sorts of crafts use feathers - you can adorn greetings cards with them, and make table decorations - they can be dyed too.  Scrapbooks too

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: Tullywood Farm on August 01, 2009, 12:09:01 am

If you have a wax brimmed hat, they look great attached to that.

I have some Lavender Guinea Fowl feathers, and some Peacock Feathers, and if anyone wants a couple pm me your address and I will send you some.

Julie

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: HappyHippy on August 01, 2009, 09:54:48 am

If you go fishing you could use them to tie flies, or sell them to fishermen to tie their own.  ;)

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: dreamer on August 09, 2009, 09:03:34 pm

If you plkant fruit bushes or trees throw some feathers in the hole before planting also can use as a mulch around the base.

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: Womble on August 09, 2009, 10:02:28 pm

Yup, I'd go for fly tying as well, for example why not have a go at the classic 'Mallard and Claret' (though on second thoughts you'll have to pluck a golden pheasant as well for that one  ;)):

(http://www.flytyingforum.com/uploads/img44bb3f6246de0.jpg)

The other duck feathers that are used in fly tying are the 'Cul-de-Canard' feathers (or "Duck's Earse", as they're more commonly known round here). These are the ones from around the oil gland (the bit the ducks rub their heads on when preening). The feathers here are saturated with the oil, and hence are permanently buoyant. They're used to tie flies that hang in the surface film, to simulate mosquitos etc that are in the process of hatching:

http://www.fish4flies.com/img/flies/Large/T4225CDC%20Black%20Shuttlecock%20Buzzer.jpg

(http://www.fish4flies.com/img/flies/Large/T4225CDC%20Black%20Shuttlecock%20Buzzer.jpg)

If you know any fly tiers, they'd bite your hands off for a few of these!

HTH!!

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: doganjo on August 09, 2009, 10:39:21 pm

Aha, do I detect a fisherman, Womble?

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: Tullywood Farm on August 09, 2009, 10:53:24 pm

Its another world - there beautiful

Julie

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: Womble on August 10, 2009, 05:39:11 pm

Quote from: doganjo on August 09, 2009, 10:39:21 pm

Aha, do I detect a fisherman, Womble?

Perhaps  ;)    I do tie my own flies, but nothing quite as fancy as the ones pictured above. I keep meaning to have a go with the feathers from some of our hens, as I think that would be kinda fun.

A quick check on E-bay shows that cock and hen 'capes' (the best feathers for flies) fetch 2 or 3 pounds each. So, whilst the average smallholder is never going to retire on the proceeds, if you could find out how to process and preserve (dry?) them, this could be another way to offset the cost of your home grown roast chickens!

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: HappyHippy on August 10, 2009, 07:49:43 pm

As a kid, I used to tie flies for my dad. I got so good I decided to enter a competition in Trout & Salmon, I don't know whether they actually thought they were any good or just took pity on me cos I was a youngster but I got a heap of feathers, threads etc sent from them.
Anyone who's interested should have a go - it's quite easy to get started and you can sell the finished works of art on Ebay !

Title: Re: feathers
Post by: Smooth Hound on August 18, 2009, 08:42:33 pm

you could use them for mackerel feathers :-\