Preserving Capes and Saddles for fly tying

[The Prairie]

I'm not a fly fisher, nor do I tie, however I've seen there is a market for chicken capes and saddles. I have about a dozen beautiful patterned and colored roosters that I'm considering growing out and am hoping to process and sell their capes and saddles at least. Anyone have any resources on this process? Thank you

 

[Vickischics]

I'm not a fly fisher, nor do I tie, however I've seen there is a market for chicken capes and saddles. I have about a dozen beautiful patterned and colored roosters that I'm considering growing out and am hoping to process and sell their capes and saddles at least. Anyone have any resources on this process? Thank you

No, but my son is a serious Fly Fishermen and ties his own flys.. He just told me, the Best and only feathers he uses are from the front of a roosters neck feathers toward the chest: Cape. Those feathers are not only gorgeous but, they are the BEST.
He buys his feathers because they have to be cured just right and the skin is/has be attached.
Same for the Saddle feathers. Reason: you use the very base of the feather to tie.
But, your idea is a good one but, you probably don't want to kill your Rooster trying to skin it for a few feathers to try to sale.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

No, but my son is a serious Fly Fishermen and ties his own flys.. He just told me, the Best and only feathers he uses are from the front of a roosters neck feathers toward the chest. Those feathers are not only gorgeous but, they are the BEST.
He buys his feathers because they have to be cured just right and the skin haa to be attached. Reason: you use the very base of the feather to tie.
But, your idea is a good one but, you probably don't want to kill your Rooster trying to skin it for a few feathers to try to sale.

They're planning on processing the birds

 

[Vickischics]

They're planning on processing the birds

Oh, I did not read that part. Well, problem solved. They need to send the Capes and Saddle feathers to someone who can cure them properly for use.
But, they need to keep the skin attached.
Hope that helps.

 

[Vickischics]

I just saw that someone on BYC back in 2010-2013 had asked the same question. Go in the search section and type in "Removing feathers for fly tying". You will find many answers to your question.
Hope this helps!

 

[The Prairie]

Most of what I'm reading is scraping as much fat and tissue off as possible and covering with borax or salt and pinning flat. Eveyone seems to have a slightly different process so trying to figure out the best way. Might need to just give it a go and figure it out. Yes I am processing them, it's that or sending them to sale, I think this may be more profitable and I like the idea of using more parts of the bird!

 

[Vickischics]

Go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Then...post them on Ebay.
Good luck!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@The Prairie - I don't know about chickens as we have never done that. Here, we are legally allowed to sell squirrel tails and they are also in demand for fly tying. People also like whitetail deer tails. I would check, if you plan to sell, local regulations and other states. Etsy has a few people selling hen capes for decent prices. I would try selling there if you can or find a fly company who may buy them. I would be very certain to thoroughly clean them of any meat and fat, and you can salt to preserve them without chemical use.

 

[archeryrob]

I used to fly tie years back and I know only certain roosters are worth bothering with. I am not sure how to grade them or how to tell though. I got some up in coming Dark Brahma roos that will need to be discarded after we find the one we want for a spare tire.

You take a knife and clean the skin and stretch and dry it. Some people use nails on a board and trim it later.

Rooster are specifically breed for this and most of ours would only be third class like custom jewelry.
https://whitingfarms.com/poultry-breeding/

 

[littledog]

I used to tie flies years ago ( when I had better eyesight) and remember paying a pretty penny for a nice cape.