Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: hedgeapple on April 26, 2013, 09:32:39 pm

Title: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on April 26, 2013, 09:32:39 pm
How would on dye turkey feathers white?  Well, there's no white Kool-Ade that I no of.  And RIT does not make white dye, or any one else that I've been able to find.  I tried bleaching.  Turkey feathers didn't like that.  I tried acrylic white paint, but that dried chalky.  So I turn to the all knowledgable members here.   :)
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: iowabow on April 26, 2013, 09:38:59 pm
You have to shoot old turkeys... >:D
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on April 26, 2013, 09:44:03 pm
haha  I've had 2 people telling me about Big white Tom's with 10" black beards this season.  Man, I wish I could meet one of those guys.  Then the dilema issues, mount it or use the wings.  Oh, I could do a head/chest mount sans wings.  ;)
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2013, 09:44:46 pm
You can't. The white turkey feathers you see are from domestic white turkeys.
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: osage outlaw on April 26, 2013, 09:51:38 pm
I tried using the strong peroxide that I use on skulls. It didn't do anything to the color
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on April 26, 2013, 09:53:14 pm
Dang it, Pat.  I just knew you'd have secret white dye method for me.  :(  Off to the trading post to see if anyone has any white turkey seconday feathers.
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2013, 09:56:35 pm
Rustolium White spray paint!  ::)
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on April 26, 2013, 09:58:53 pm
Pat, I might give that a try.  haha  Or a white Sharpie.   :laugh:
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2013, 10:03:18 pm
It won't do much for performance but it will turn them white.  ;)
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: wildman on April 29, 2013, 04:34:46 am
Do what I do. Shoot miss and scare em so bad they turn white. Only problem with that is they are then in the next county being spooked  by every stump they see!
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: bhenders on April 30, 2013, 01:10:18 pm
Do a google search on Turkey Farms in your area and visit or write to them asking for  feathers.  Most of them treat the feathers as waste. 

Unfortunately, unless you're going to deal with a local farmer growing white domestics, the feather quality on most commercial birds is very poor (they aren't exactly grown for their feathers ). 

I found a commercial farm and got a trash bad of feathers (they processed their own turkeys) straight out of the steamer or whatever they put the birds into to get rid of the feathers.  Most of them were not good enough to use for fletching.
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on April 30, 2013, 07:31:42 pm
I guess I'll just have buy and raise my own white turkeys. hmmm
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: Ozzy on April 30, 2013, 07:43:53 pm
We can use them for 3D targets and dinner at the moontree classic  ::) and arrow making
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: Danzn Bar on April 30, 2013, 09:12:39 pm
Thats a good one Ozzy................
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: hedgeapple on May 01, 2013, 06:35:36 am
That would be getting the MOST out a bird for sure. hahaha
Title: Re: How to dye turkey feathers white????
Post by: anasazi on May 02, 2013, 11:13:30 pm
I forget what its called but check your local grocery store there is some type of bluing agent or die that when used in small quantities is a whitener a friend uses it on his white buckskins to keep them white. Dont know if it will work or not but may be an option