Rabbit Extras

Marlom Perez

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Friends,

Thanks for reading.

I am in need of suggestions as what to do with the extra parts of a rabbit after processing. I have learned to tan the hides well enough. How about the heads and feet/tail. Anything any of you do with them?

I typically give the heads to my dogs, who eat them whole.
 

Pastor Dave

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You can debone the tail and tan it too. Sew it back together where you made the slit up the middle, and fold over & sew across the end where it held to the body. Those will sell almost as much as a whole hide, at least half. Some folks do just leave them intact however. I do not know exactly how you woud flesh the feet and tan them keeping them intact, but Google the process. It's surely out there.
 

mystang89

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I normally do the same. Give head to dog along with feet and ears. You can actually use the brain to help you tan though I don't know the recipe. Only thing that doesn't get used is the intestines. Not sure what I could do with those.
 

Pastor Dave

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I have done brain tanning. The Indians believed each animal's brain could tan it's own hide. I don't know how they did it, but it works good in the blender and comes out like a smoothie. I don't think I even had to add water or anything. When I butcher, the head, paws, hide, and intestines all go in the garbage and into a dumpster. A mature hide of a year or older is best for tanning. Mine are generally between 10 and 12 weeks old and real soft and fragile; not worth messing with.
 

mystang89

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I've tanned a few at 10 to 12 weeks and he's right. It's definitely doable but much more delicate.
 
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