We have had bad experiences after freeze-drying birds - they're
just too tasty for Anthrenus and other pests! The skins are also
difficult to use - there's little flexibility in the wings and
legs. I would only use a freeze drier for decaying specimens which
have feathers that are slipping so badly, that a conventional skin
cannot be made.
One other point - remember servicing costs. No-one on our staff
could maintain the machine efficiently and we had huge annual
servicing bills to pay!
Tony Irwin

Dr A.G.Irwin, Natural History Department,
Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service,
The Shirehall, Market Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3JQ England
tel: +44 (0) 1603 493642, fax: +44 (0) 1603 493623,
mobile: +44 (0) 7880707834
----- Original Message -----
From: Williams, Rod
To: AVECOL-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 9:29 PM
Subject: [AVECOL-L] Freeze dryer

Hello List Members -

I have a general question regarding freeze dryers.  Several
faculty members at my university are interested in purchasing a
freeze dryer (Myself for perhaps preparing bird study skins
and/or herp mounts; for freeze drying plants; for freeze drying
fish samples? just to name a few).  I have tried to work my way
through the various types of freeze dryers myself, and I am now
thoroughly confused.  I am really looking to keep the cost below
$10,000.  Do any of you have any experience with freeze drying
bird study skins?  Advantages?  Disadvantages?  Are there any
particular brands/types that you would recommend.  Any
information that you may have would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Rod

Rod N. Williams
Vertebrate Curator/Coordinator of
Laboratory Instruction
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
195 Forestry Building
Purdue University