Ostrich Skin Removal, Storage, Transportation and Grading of Ostrich Skins - Presented at WOA Chile Conference 2003.

Candido Carrillo Gonzalez

 

Skin Details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Quill Areas

A(1) – A(4)                   Main Diamond Area

B                                  Neck

C(1) – C(2)                  Upper Belly Flap

C(3) – C(4)                  Lower Belly Flap

 

Skin Removal

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 cradle is not recommended.
  4. 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.
  5. The neck of the bird is typically trimmed 20 cm (7 3/4 inches) above the feather line, and the leg some 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) above the "knee".
  6. Hose down the skin with water to remove blood and cool the skin.
  7. Use a blunt tool to remove access fat. Do not use a knife as this can accidentally cause cuts.
  8. Place the skin flesh side up flat on a pallet. Ensure that the pallet has some form of protection e.g. 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.
  9. 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 insufficient 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.
  10. 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.

Skin Storage

  1. Power wash with cold water after removal to wash off dirt and blood
  2. Place flat with flesh upwards on a pallet
  3. If first skin on the pallet place cardboard so skins never on contact with iron (nails)
  4. Use fine grain salt
  5. Place salt over skin ensuring complete coverage of skin
  6. After 7 days, shake off old salt, and re-salt for storage
  7. Store in cold environment 4 to 10 C
  8. Never freeze
  9. Ensure skins remain spread out (do not fold)

 

Skin Transportation

Use refrigerated transportation

Never use plastic as skins need to breathe

 

Skin Grading

No grading system exists for grading in raw

Buyers use their own grading

 

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