Save a crows foot

[Mayor]

Hello dear BCUK! I was thinking about keeping a crow foot i found. I havent really decided what im going to use it for exactly, some sort of decoration i guess.

But how do i preserve it?
Do i have to treat it with something so it wont smell or rot? Can i use something from my household?

 

[m.durston]

not entirely sure but at a guess i would have said packing it in salt to mummify the foot.

 

[Tony]

Interesting question, i've no idea

 

[aarya]

Mix salt and baking soda in a plastic bag, pop the foot into it, let it sit for a week or two, it`ll be preserved.
I`ve done the same with the feet off a bird that died from hitting the window. Works a treat!

Edit:
The salt is what does alot of the dehydration, the baking soda will help, along with removing any odour that might be there.

 

[Mayor]

thanks for your answers : ) baking soda and salt seems easy enough, im gonna try it!

 

[firecrest]

I saved two crows feet last year and still have them. they are..erm...just stood on the bookshelf really! I never did figure out a use for them. necklace maybe?

I presevered them when out camping, first I tried to tie them to a peice of wood to keep the foot flat but I didnt do it tight enough and as it dried it curled. I then just dangled them from a tree and put alcohol hand gel on the legs where they were cut. after 2 days it had little maggots in it so I dont know if that worked or not. I then dangled them over the fire on string for several hours and all the creepy crawlies abandoned ship. The feet were preserved almost perfect. I sugest skipping my mistakes and go straight to smoking.

 

[Greg]

Mix salt and baking soda in a plastic bag, pop the foot into it, let it sit for a week or two, it`ll be preserved.
I`ve done the same with the feet off a bird that died from hitting the window. Works a treat!

Was she a Blonde??

 

[aarya]

Was she a Blonde??

She might`ve been!

Also, firecrest reminded me of something i did too. Smoke!
I made a small smoking chamber, and smoked the claws for a few hours aswell.
They now dangle proudly from the rearview mirror in my Toyota Corolla, along with a few of its feathers.
(I know, i really should have a pickup truck if i am to display parts of animals.)

 

[hog]

How will the crow be able to pearch once you have taken one of its feet?