Fake animals and blood

[dramabrit58]

I am hoping someone on this site has some good ideas about making fake animals.  I am doing props (usually I stage manage) for Bat Boy the Musical.  I have to make a goose that has it's neck torn off with blood.  Also a rat and rabbit and a severed cow's head.  I have theories on how to make these items but in practice my theories never seem to work.  Thankfully we are not going for too much realism with the cow's head and the director has requested that we use red ribbons coming out of the neck.  But..... how does one make a cow's head when I have no artistic ability.  My thoughts are to make a frame out of chicken wire and paper mache it.  Thoughts and suggestions other than telling me I am crazy to have signed up for props before even reading the script.....  Oh yes another thing and please don't laugh...... I have a $75 budget.  Thanks for any and all help. 

[boolabella]

I believe the props master at my university sculpted it out of a block of foam and then covered it with fabric and painted it...

[megf]

Depending on local resources, a taxidermist might be able to help you - they can provide frames for mounting animal parts that are lightweight and durable enough for a nice longish run. The handful of sites I checked out have pricing for full-service packages, which are waaay more expensive than just the mount; it might be worth it to call a few places up and ask for a bargain on some unusable pieces.

Best of luck!

[dramabrit58]

Thank you all.  I will get to it tomorrow when I have recouped some energy.