Saving the feathers (Saddles and hackles off Roosters)

So since I am going to cull, I was thinking that perhaps I could save some feathers from the Roosters and guinea fowl to use for either crafts, jewlery or tying flies for fishing.

So, What is the best ways to remove the feathers without spoiling them?

I think that you would leave them attached to the skin until you are ready to use them, right?

Where to cut, and how to get the skin off without tearing it? I find if I am skinning an old roo to eat, the skin on the back is often attached quite well, and hard to remove without tearing it.

So would I stretch the skin out pegged to some plywood and cover it in borax?

Does anyone else make use of their roosters feathers?

Oh, and what part of the guinea fowl's feathers do you save? The back? Chest?

I've never done this before and could use all the help I can get... please.

(Ok, I'm not, a hundred percent sure I can bring myself to do it (Some of these roo's are pets), but I will try, and if I do try, I want to do it right.)

I beleive for fly tying, not any old chicken feather will do. Very specific chickens are raised for this! I have read a little about this but not enough to tell you how to go about skinning or preserving. But before you go much further, determine if any of your bird's feathers are the desireable kind. If not, you will not have a market for them.

For most crafts, I do not believe the feathers need to be attached to hide. I have never in my life seen chicken feathers in hide in a craft store, only a fly tying place.

I would look up what feathers are desirable. I know that I have seen guinea feathers for sale on eBay, both natural and dyed. I also found instructions on how to dye them yourself, if you would like to do that. As for rooster feathers, I am not sure what ones you use. I have read that the purpose for using those feathers is to mimic insect legs. You might also want to consider selling feathers for craft and hair extension purposes.

Here are some sites that I found, maybe something can help you out. I learned some new things here:

http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/onlineshop-fly_tying_feathers
http://www.cindyshaircutsnaturesgifts.com/Feather-Articles.html
http://midcurrent.com/experts/what-is-genetic-hackle/
http://www.4hfishing.org/resources/tacklecrafting_pdfs/3b_introduction_to_fly_tying_materials.pdf
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=27707 (you might want to post a question on here, considering that it sounds as though it is a large forum).

If you find out any specifics, don't be afraid to share them...