Tanning rabbit hides at home

[El Carnicero]

Hi Guys.
I have a friend who works at a small scale slaughter plant and they kill rabbits for food, and my friend says that he could salvage the hide for me if I wanted a few.
What I'm wondering, is there anyone on the board here that knows how to tan rabbit hides at home? Anyone done this and can give me a step by step after the hide is cleaned of blood and cooled, and what materials I would need?

I have no specific purpose for them as of yet, other than to try something new.

Anyones help would be great.

[covey ridge]

This guy deserves an answer

[Bushmaster]

Never worked with rabbit hide but it is very thin and easily torn. I'm not sure it would be the best choice for learning on.

[HunterDave]

This stuff is easy to use and has the instructions right on the bottle. You'll need to salt the hide with table salt as part of the process. With such a thin hide I'd recommend following the instructions for tanning a fox.

https://www.halfordsmailorder.com/tr...hidetanformula

[mgvande]

I did one when I was young it is tricky. The softening was a problem.

[amosfella]

Rather than step by step, get yourself a book called The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs. They have a recipe in there for tanning rabbit skins with used tea.

You can also pickle the hides using a mixture of sulfuric acid and salt.

Fleshing such a thin skin will be your worst problem.

[chimpac]

Get the guy killing the rabbits to save you the heads also. Rub the brain material into the hide. I did 2 coyotes with brain and they are quite pliable.

[bucksman]

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

Never worked with rabbit hide but it is very thin and easily torn. I'm not sure it would be the best choice for learning on.

if they are free and he has a bunch at his disposal then why not, sounds like a perfect place to start.

[El Carnicero]

Thanks guys.
right now I have them sitting in my freezer. I didn't have time when I brought them home to begin playing around right away. But the links and the book suggestions helped. I will look into it further and let you all know how it turns out.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by amosfella

Rather than step by step, get yourself a book called The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs. They have a recipe in there for tanning rabbit skins with used tea.

You can also pickle the hides using a mixture of sulfuric acid and salt.

Fleshing such a thin skin will be your worst problem.

I agree with pickling. Doesn't have to be perfect, just put a nice backing on it and no one ever see's the skin.