I'm having trouble using partridge as leg material. I've got Shane Stalcup's latest book and am trying the method he shows. After I tie in the partridge and overlay the wingcase, the legs tend to be pushed back in one clump. I can't seem to get the individual fibers to lay out as indivdual legs.

Also, the legs are extremely long. Is the length dependent upon the length of the feather fibers or is their a technique to use to adjust the length of the legs. When I've tried to trim the fibers it looks very artificial. Also what is proper proportion of leg length in general?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies. PS I love this site!