How To Cure A Rabbit Hide
Cured rabbit hides have a variety of uses. They are pliable and warm, which makes them ideal for blankets, jackets and as a lining for a heavy winter coat. If you breed rabbits, you can supplement your income by selling cured hides to manufacturers. Although it is time consuming, curing hides is a straightforward process that can be done at home.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Rabbit hide, fresh
- Water
- 5-gallon bucket
- Non-iodized salt
- Alum
- Spoon, preferably wooden
- Single-edged knife
- Mild soap
- Sea sponge
- Mink oil
Instructions
-
-
1
Wash the fresh rabbit skin in cool water, which removes of any residual blood that can permanently stain it. At this point, it is okay to leave some bits of fat and tissue on the hide. Squeeze excess water from the hide once it is rinsed. Wringing the hide is not recommended, as it can damage it.
-
2
Mix one cup of non-iodized salt and one cup of alum in a five-gallon bucket that has two gallons of room-temperature water in it. Dissolve the salt and alum completely before adding the rabbit skin. This tanning mixture is known as pickling solution. Use the spoon to work the water solution into the pelt.
-
-
3
Leave the pelt in the bucket for 48 hours, stirring it around at least twice a day. If the hide tends to float to the top, weigh it down with a clean rock. After the time is up, squeeze the excess solution from the hide. Rinse the pelt well with clean water. Save the solution because you will use it again.
-
4
Lay the pelt fur side down on a table so that the fatty layer can be removed. It is easiest to start near the rump of the animal and pull the tissue toward the neck. If some areas are difficult to remove, use a single-edged knife to gently pry the fatty tissue away from the skin. Be careful not to cut too deep, which will expose the hair roots and cause the hair to fall out.
-
5
Rinse the hide again in clean water. Then add another cup of salt and alum to the reserved pickling solution. When it is dissolved, add the hide and work the solution into the skin. The skin needs to stay in this solution for seven days and stirred at least twice a day.
-
6
Test the hide for doneness after the time is up. Take a small bit of hide and drop it in boiling water. If it curls up, it needs to soak in the solution longer. If there is no change, it is ready for the next step.
-
7
Squeeze out the hide, then wash it with mild soap or shampoo. Rinse the pelt thoroughly and hang it to dry in the shade. Wait until the hide is mostly dry, anywhere from six hours to two days.
-
8
Gently work the damp hide, pulling the skin in all directions. Work small areas at a time. Notice that the leather turns white and becomes pliable as you work it. If the hide dries out too much and becomes hard, use a sea sponge dampened with water to moisten it. Keep doing this until the whole hide is soft and pliable.
-
9
Massage mink oil into the skin side of the hide. The fur side can be brushed out, if desired. The hide is now ready to be stored for a later use.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
