Preserving feathers

[Clyde Sorenson <clyde_sorenson@ncsu.edu>]

Leah and the rest of ya'll:

The best way to preserve feathers is to first wash them if necessary 
(you can use a blow-drier to dry them after you've washed them), "preen" 
them back into shape, and then spray them with the same permanone 
insecticide spray you use to keep those nasty ticks and chiggers off 
your clothing. You don't have to saturate them; just a quick spray, 
preferably on both sides.  As long as the feathers remain out of direct 
sunlight, a single treatment will protect them from the ravages of 
dermestid beetles for years. Without the spray: feather dust in as 
little as a few months, once the little blighters find 'em. The feathers 
are perfectly safe to handle once the spray has dried thoroughly.

One last point- it is perfectly legal to possess feathers from game 
birds like ducks, grouse, quail, and turkeys. And boy, do turkeys have 
some magnificent feathers!

Take care,

Clyde Sorenson
Clayton and Raleigh, NC
clyde_sorenson@ncsu.edcu