I have a customer that has a request that I dont know if it is possible. She wants a mallard standing but does not want it on a base.I have done hundreds of birds but never one without a base, and am wondering if anyone has had success with anything like this. My idea is to remove the legs and inject with masters blend to set the legs and feet. Let these dry and proceed from there, same as a competion bird. My main concern though, is how to balance the bird. I would think it would be front heavy with the weight of the artificial bill. I really dont know if this is the case or not, but I am hoping someone out there has any kind of idea, or may have done this with some type of success. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
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It might help to know how the client wants to display or use the bird? A Mallard standing on its own would be very difficult to pull off. Even if it is perfectly balance the feet wont support it. You may be able to have wires in the feet that could be inserted in holes in the display area or item though
That would be difficult to pull off. You might be able to accomplish the task by using lead feet and legs if you can locate a pair. The balance would be critical, though, like Tony said. There are matters of physics involved that would present several challenge.
What you could pull off would be a minimal base cast in lead, pewter or bronze that would support and stablize the mount. A square or disk of clear acrylic would also work.
Your on the right path John B. with what you want to do with the feet of the bird..
Know figure out how to attach the legs to the manikin without the skin in your way.
Then you can set up the manikin with neck and head. At this point you will be able to identify any balance problems. If there are any at this point go ahead and correct the problem with a counter weight of some sort..... lead sinkers, tire weights, ect...
With a project like this you have to get away from thinking only of the traditional taxidermy methods.
This one sounds fun........ I wish I had it to do... Love a good challenge.
This post got me thinking too..the ideas above to set up the mannekin with the head and neck attached to get your balance right before mounting are good ones, I would check the balance again before sewing up your incision, the weights could then be added if needed..I've never used art. feet...never even seen them, but I imagine that they might add even more stability and would be less likely to bend or flex out of just the right position that could throw off your balance..or if I used the natural feet I would use the absolute heaviest wire I could get down leg to maintain the proper stance...
Just an idea..? Good luck
TJ
Bondo..it's a bit risky but you could try to bondo the leg right to the mannekin, we do that with our turkeys..
TJ
give her a life one,LOL
thanks all, Tony, the bird will proabably be on a table or shelf so any idea of leaving the wires long and drilling holes is out of the question. This person keeps her ducks for pets,I mean inside the house pets, so the idea of any artificial legs may be hard to pass off. Jim, your idea was pretty much what I had in mind, including the lead counterweight. Again thanks, Anyone else have an idea or opinion?
Would it be possible to attach steel or a magnet in/on the bottom of the foot and use a large magnet on the underside of the cabinet to keep it from tipping over? Seems plausible.
Good Luck
Bryan
put wire through the leg like most birds. leave it fairly long. Put a 90 degree bend in the wire where it exits the foot. About three inches from the heel bend the wire into a hoop. Do that on both feet and the area will be large enough to support the bird. The wire will show, but only from the top view. Call me and I will explain it better. If you don't want the wire to show cut a slot in a piece of paper and cover the hoop.
Tony Finazzo
909-886-8640