Fleshing a Rabbit Pelt in 5 Minutes w No Special Tools
I tan my rabbit pelts using the aluminum sulfate and salt method. this method seems to be the easiest for me because it makes fleshing a lot easier.
4-6 raw rabbit hides are put into a bucket with 2 gallons of water, one cup of salt, and one cup of aluminum sulfate. that should be stirred for at least 5 minutes. Do not try to fit more hides in than recommended. I usually do five medium sized hides per batch.
After 2 to 3 days, flesh them as shown in the video. I start pulling where the tail would connect to the hide, because there is a thin sheet of muscle there that helps lift off the flesh. Once you're done flushing, add all of the pelts back to the original solution, and add another 1 cup salt and 1 cup aluminum sulfate.
stir one to two times a day, and after a week you can wash them and start stretching. I wash mine with ample water and Dawn dish soap. Squeeze out the excess water, and dry the fur side as much as possible. You should start stretching when the leather turns white when you stretch it. Pelts need to be worked every few hours while drying for the next 2 to 3 days. let rest for about 24 to 48 hours, then give a final stretch.
This method allows for the flushing process to be a lot easier and smoother, because the flesh just comes right off. Make sure to keep your buckets under 85° f or your pelts will rot. If you have small mold spots on the surface of the water or any pink mold showing up rinse very well, and replace the solution with a fresh mix. Most of the time I find that those pelts are completely salvageable, and I rarely find that the whole batch is ruined.