countrytalkandtips.myfreeforum.org

chook · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 305 Location: North Clare

Hi,
we have two males to butcher and I want to preserve the hides.
Have tried it before but wasn't too successful. They were always bone-hard in the end, so I haven't bothered over the past few years. Now a friend told me about using alum salt and egg yolk. The egg yolk bit I hadn't heard of before. Unfortunately she could not remember how exactly that is used (timing, quantities). I'd be most grateful for any hints on the matter or any other hints/recipes (except for formaldehyde, big NO NO).

Thanks
chook

Jack · Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 71 Location: North Otago

Gidday

Well I reckonm you are really wasting your time and the skins to cure a good looking skin. In my opinion you really need to tan them properly but using something like this:-
http://www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz/tanningproducts.htm#leder

I assure you it is really worth the effort. I don't know if you can get the same stuff closer to home but I am sure you should be able to if you search enough.
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Jack
QBE

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

I have done many a rabbit skin. They do go as stiff as a board after curing. To make them supple I used raw Linseed oil. This was brushed onto the stretched skins twice a day untill the oil got absorbed. This worked but to make the skins stable and unaffected by water they do need tanning as was mentioned above. Its a shame to waste them but the modern chemical mixes are very pollutive. Tanning with Oak bark is supposed to be the traditional method. Have a go and when you have got it sussed. Tell us how to do it please. Very Happy

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Rebecca · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Try this UK link for tanning products ...

http://www.attacc.com/acatalog/NEEDLES__THREAD___LEATHER.html

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