- The room for removing the skins should be 14 to 16º
C (57.2 to 60.8º F) to ensure the skins are maintained
within a cold chain.
- Once bled and defeathered, first remove the shin skins
from the lower legs. The scales of the shin should be in
the center otherwise they are of no value.
- Invert the bird so that it is hanging by its wings. Follow
the cutting lines as per the diagram. Deskinning with the
use of a cradel is not recommended.
- For skin removal, use only one operator. Using more than
one operator can cause an operator to damage the skin with
cuts as the other operator moves the bird.
- The neck of the bird is typically trimmed 20 cm (7 3/4
inches) above the featherline, and the leg some 10 to 15
cm (4 to 6 inches) above the "knee".
- Hose down the skin with water to remove blood and cool
the skin.
- Use a blunt tool to remove access fat. Do not use a knife
as this can accidentally cause cuts.
- Place the skin flesh side up flat on a pallet. Ensure
that the pallet has some form of protection eg. a sheet
of cardboard to avoid damage from the nails and the slats
in the pallet. Similarly avoid contact with any metals such
as the salt shovel against the skins.
- Use fine grain salt to heavily salt down the skin. Avoid
coarse salt. The salt should cover all parts of the skin.
Skins are living organisms. Salt dehydrates the skin, thereby
restricting any bacterial growth. If insufficent salt is
used, then this dehydration process is incomplete and bacterial
growth will eat into the skin causing damage. Use plenty
of salt. Typically 5 kg. of salt per skin.
- It is best if the pallet is on a slope to encourage drainage.
Similarly it is best if the skin is not folded at this stage
to assist in the draining process.
We have successfully produced ostrich skins without the use
of a biocides before salting down. Since there are so many
options on biocides, we prefer at this time not to comment
on this aspect until we have more concrete data. However,
we would like to say that if an animal slaughter plant is
using them, then treat ostrich skins no different. In our
opinion, what works for other skins, will most likely work
for ostriches. Skins are typically placed in a biocide fo
30 minutes, piled to drain excess solution and then salted
down.
Click here to read
about storing ostrich skins
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