Fresh Specimen
The key to a quality mount is a fresh specimen that has been frozen quickly and then stored well.
Ensure your specimen is laid flat ensuring that wing and tail feathers are not bent. Then carefully place it in a plastic bag. Seal the bag removing excess air and place centrally away from the side of the freezer (to avoid freezer burn).
How long can it stay in the freezer? This is very variable, it is best to get the specimen to a Taxidermist as quickly as possible.
Modeled Bird
There are 3 things that can damage your specimen :-
- The Sun
- Hands/Fingers
- A buildup of dust
So
- Keep your specimen out of direct sunlight to avoid the bleaching effect
- Resist the temptation, and keep others from being tempted to stroke/touch your model, because natural oils on your hands and sticky fingers will damage the integrity of the feathers.
- Dust regularly from Head to Tail. (I dust mine fortnightly/monthly)