I see chemicals, some very expensive, claiming to do the same job as Formaldehyde "without the hazards." I have an ample supply of Formaldehyde already on hand. What is the down side to using it, and the advantage of using the mail order products?
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The main downside to using formaldehyde is its cancer causing properties.I still use it once in a while because,I to, have some on hand. ALWAYS use safty equipment when using ! Bruce Rittle makes a great substitute that I have used and works great. Bob C
As long as you use a fume hood or go outside with a fan to use it, and use very good gloves and goggles or safety glasses, go ahead and use the formaldehyde. Truth be told it is no more cancer causing than gasoline, but the fumes are very irritating. It DEFINITELY works as good as formaldehyde (since it is) and has better penetrating properties.
Click that orange icon and type in Formaldehyde. Stephen had an exceptional posting on this matter some time back.
If you prefer not to use the Formaldehyde after reading Taxidermatologist's Review on the subject...try 'Balmex' by Van Dyke ($8.95 -quart). Look it up in their catalog.
Some dealers sell the same product with different names at higher prices.
I saw several items in the archives where you defended the use of formaldehyde. What ratio do you recommend when mixing it with Elmer's glue to inject in turkey feet?
I never use formalin at a higher strength than 10% formalin which is a 1 part stock formaldehyde to 9 parts water (3.7% formaldehyde). If you add this at 50% with the elmers glue you should be able to inject it into your feet - depending on what size needle you use.
The injection of formalin/formaldehyde fixes the tissue hard, but it will shrink up a bit without an additive (depending on the size bird) The old taxidermists suggested glycerine - which also kept the toe webs flexible. I however think that the glycerine makes painting more difficult. The glue dries hard within the hollow sections and creates supports similar to struts.
The second advantage in formalin is its un-matched ability to deter consumption by dermestid beetles and moths. The compound mentioned by ETTC, balmex, also is very good at detering consumption (I did a test with meat soaked with balmex and my dermestid colony did not like it one bit). As I understand it, the formula was used to embalm prior to universal acceptance of formaldehyde/formalin in the mortuary business. Injection of fiberglass or injectable grade plastic products does nothing to prevent consumption, and can result in decomposition by trapping moisture within the foot before it is able to dry out. Of cource, this is only my opinion - others will disagree.
...but I'm still not clear. (My fault, not yours.)
Do I mix one part formaldehyde with nine parts water to get formalin, then mix the formilin nine to one with water to get the ratio I need to mix 50/50 with the Elmers glue? Thanks, Betty
(If you've had enough, I understand.)
Formalin and formaldehyde are often used interchangably, but 100% formalin is equivalent to full strength reagent grade stock formaldehyde at 37.5% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. 10 % formalin is used in fixation of specimens for museum purposes and is adequate for foot preservation (3.7% formaldehyde dissolved in water). I mix up 10% formalin by 1 part stock and 9 parts water (sometimes with a buffer) and store it this way in gallon jars/bottles. If you take 5 mls of this and mix in 5 mls of white glue this would make 10 mls of the solution you could inject into a bird foot. As you remove the syringe from each injection spot (I often inject in each toe under the nail and once in the top of the foot near the ankle, plug the hole with a bank pin to keep the formalin/glue inside. Fill the feet a bit fuller than in life because even with formalin there will be shrinkage. A week later the pins can be removed and a dap of epoxy used to fill in the pin holes. Seal with a fungicidal coat then paint to natural color.
I tried to get some formalin from a friend who works in a pharmacy and she said I had to have a haz. waste permit to purchase. This may vary from state to state but is something worth checking into. And in correction to the Balmex(etcc). It is $6.49 per qt. through Van Dykes. Jeff
I stand corrected..."BALMEX" is $6.49 Quart from Van Dyke...not $8.95. Can't see out of one eye...and have to apologize for the cobweb on my VanDyke Blue Glint Glass eye...ran outta Windex,..ETCC