How do you tan the hide to preserve feathers in hide? (soft hide)

[Hawgfan]

I've used a wire brush for mammal hides. It softens the tanned skin and gives it a suede texture. A bird might be too delicate for that. I've seen rasps used for this as well. Again, I can't say that it wouldn't be too aggressive.

 

[gardenman]

I have always put them in a plastic baggy with borax for quite awhile. A few months or longer and never had a problem. I also don't put them in the same plastic bin with my purchased feathers.

 

[VigilHomestead]

Well I am going to be harvesting some birds and I have invested some money in so Genetic hackle birds that I just got and am wanting to practice on the Roosters that I got for meat birds before I go and mutalate the Genetic hackle birds. I am wanting to get the hides soft and plyable. I dont want to just salt the hides because that makes them stiff and hard to store and work with. If you have the recipe for the soft tan please let me know so I can start trying it. Thanks all.

Hey did you ever find out how to soft hide tan? I was wondering how to do the same thing!

 

[LuvnlightCreek]

Anyone know how to flesh by hand? I cant afford the machine that I would normally use but if someone could help or if someone knows it would be awesome if i could get some advise.

Cut just at the top of the hip across to the other hip. Cut down the legs. Stand on their wings and pull the legs out and pull the chicken body out. You will save all the hide with feathers including the wings. You will feel the wings break loose just pull them out and step on the raw wings again to finish removing the hide. Be gentle if you want the neck and head.