Storage

Once a specimen is cooled it needs to be  kept somewhere very cold for short period (no longer than one day if possible )  prior to sending  to a taxidermist any longer  and the item should be deep frozen  prior to doing this try and fold the bird up  neatly try not to freeze it with the neck extended pack it well in polythene if the bird is small , put it in a small box to help protect it  then putting freezer, once the bird has been deep frozen it can keep for many years.

Also when putting it into the freezer, please write a label to go with it, stating:

• Where it died
• How it died
  (if you  are not sure  just write a comment stating  any  relevant circumstances )
• when it died

This is a legal requirement for all taxidermists to keep  taxidermy records and I strongly advise you  to add this data on a label or piece of paper with the specimen.

Sending an item to a taxidermist

Sending and packing birds. The bird should be wrapped in polythene and frozen prior to sending see storage above.

If you are going to send the bird to me please download  a log sheet (if you are gifting/selling* a specimen) or job sheet (if you wish to have a specimen mounted).
I or any other taxidermist will need this information for our records. I can model the bird in any pose and whilst it's frozen, you have plenty of time to think about pose you may like things to consider space and location in your home, quite often open wall mounts or wall cases or work well as the taxidermy item is then like a 3-D painting taking up reduced space.

Does my taxidermy item need a case?

Casing is not essential for a taxidermy item and the vast majority of taxidermy in the UK is un-cased however if the bird is uncommon is top end taxidermy work or it has complex groundwork, rare specimen then I would strongly recommend some form of casing to protect the bird. Once cased the bird will remain in a very good condition for a very long time.