Need advice dyeing feathers

[bowslinger]

I plan on dyeing turkey feathers for fletching, following a post in the How To forum.  My questions is,... Do I need to dye the feathers before splitting the quill, or does it not matter if the quill is already split and ground?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[LC]

I've done it both ways, usually just dye before splitting though. I personally wouldn't dye after they are ground though. Would rather have a "clean" surface to glue or should say tape with. I will add they dry much faster laid on a old newspaper than on a window screen or such.

[Orion]

I've done it about every way you can, including after they're ground.  Never had a problem with glue adhesion.  If you do it after they're ground, the quill will be the same color as the fletch.  Some people like that, others don't.  If you dye the feathers before grinding them, the quill will be white, of course, after you grind them.