get a piece of thick cardboard or put a few pieces together. make sure there is as little junk left as possible(fat and whatnot). then spread the fan i use t pins to hold mine. use more pins than you think it may take. i go every other feather most of the time except the first 3 or so on each side. i prefer borax. little slower than salt but seems to do the trick. i do about the same thing to preserve the beards. trim and then borax.