Okay as promised here are some ideas for you to ponder.

Now all I did was cut the spur from the leg using a modelers band saw - covered them in Borax in a plastic cup and let them dry for a few months. The bone it self is hollow to allow you to thread a good piece of raw hide through it.

This is my NAVHDA dog judgin' hat for NA test!


The next one here are pictures of birds fans I have put on the wall. I do make a wingbone call - add the spurs - and add the beard inside the shell casing I used.
here is my 1st Rio:


close-up


and an Eastern upon making the wingbone this bird had a bad day at some point in its life. It lived through a broken wing. Notice the Radius bone - it borke - it healed - this bird became a nice long beard!



close-up


Just some idea for you tp ponder - maybe you have a better one or other ideas - let's here 'em!

JW