curing chicken skins

I have a few birds that are getting up there in age and I am wanting to take full advantage of their feathers for my fly tying. I am wondering what is the best way to cure the skin? I have done the salt method with tails from assorted mammals but never tried it on a chicken. Is it t same concept salt it for a week or so until its dry and its good to go?

I've never heard of using the skin before, dont you just use the feather/quill for tying flies ? Can't you just pluck them ?

I thought you required borax...apparently salt or borax works. Here is a link I found.

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/chickens/

I would think it should be the same as tanning furs. Google home tanning methods and there should be several that come up.

Sorry I dont use the skin I just would prefer to leave the feathers attached and pluck them as needed instead of having 16 bags of the feathers I can just have the entire body in one bag and pick from the sections I want.

Salt or borax works

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jacob McD

Sorry I dont use the skin I just would prefer to leave the feathers attached and pluck them as needed instead of having 16 bags of the feathers I can just have the entire body in one bag and pick from the sections I want.

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I read thru that link Fishy Wishy posted and that was the general information I gathered. Good idea, keeps them better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jacob McD

I have a few birds that are getting up there in age and I am wanting to take full advantage of their feathers for my fly tying. I am wondering what is the best way to cure the skin? I have done the salt method with tails from assorted mammals but never tried it on a chicken. Is it t same concept salt it for a week or so until its dry and its good to go?

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Can I have the chickens for coyote bait?

Lol topher.