[clydesdaleclopper]

I am hoping to get some skins back from the abattoir to send off for tanning. I was wondering how much salt people usually end up using on each skin before it is ready to be sent off.

[Bionic]

I am currently salting 3 lamb skins. They are on their second salting and I have used about 3/4 of a 25 kilo bag of salt.
The last salting, when I send them off, will be much lighter ti reduce the cost of posting.

[Slimjim]

Depending on the breed and therefore size, Devonia in Buckfastleigh recommend about 1 kg per skin, per application. Two applications before posting.

[Anke]

I am hoping to get some skins back from the abattoir to send off for tanning. I was wondering how much salt people usually end up using on each skin before it is ready to be sent off.

Thanks! 

I was just deliberating this question... sending off my Gotland x Shetland wethers next week, and then hopefully the skins for tanning.

[clydesdaleclopper]

Mine are the same Gotland x Shetland 

[Bramblecot]

I was advised at least 1kg per skin on first salting, then go over the skin again and re-salt any areas where the salt is damp.  The Shetland x GFD skins from Devonia were superb this year .  I have some there now - 20 week turnaround -

[Fleecewife]

Mine are the same Gotland x Shetland 

Lovely skins and fleece from that cross 

For the salting, don't skimp on the salt, or on making sure the skins are well done.  Salt in bulk is dirt cheap and can make all the difference between success and failure of the tanning process.

[Anke]

I have got one 25kg bag waiting here, and merchants assured me they have more in stock...

[verdifish]

Katie have you got a animal biproduct licence and are you using granton coz if so you will 100% not get them back without the licence as we found out ! We now have the licence bit bloody late though !!!

[clydesdaleclopper]

Yes I have got the licence 


Where is the best place to get big bags of salt then?

[Fleecewife]

We get ours from an agricultural merchant, the kind that sells feed, clothing, tools etc.  20 or 25kg bags.  One of those should be enough.  Wear rubber gloves and a pinny.  Use a scoop to get the salt out.  Rub it into any curled up corners. Apply enough that you can't see the skin through the salt, and add to it if you see any pink (wet) salt as it absorbs liquid.  And don't forget to chop the purse off.  I cover mine with a light polythene sheet if the weather is not dry and cold, as keeps off atmospheric moisture.
Have fun - it's a 'orrible job 

[clydesdaleclopper]

And don't forget to chop the purse off. 

?

[Anke]

And don't forget to chop the purse off. 

 If your boys weren't ringed that is.... ne purse on me boys anymore

?

[Bionic]

We get ours from an agricultural merchant, the kind that sells feed, clothing, tools etc.  20 or 25kg bags.  One of those should be enough.  Wear rubber gloves and a pinny.  Use a scoop to get the salt out.  Rub it into any curled up corners. Apply enough that you can't see the skin through the salt, and add to it if you see any pink (wet) salt as it absorbs liquid.  And don't forget to chop the purse off.  I cover mine with a light polythene sheet if the weather is not dry and cold, as keeps off atmospheric moisture.
Have fun - it's a 'orrible job 

My salt came from the agri merchants. I think it was £6 for the 25k bag so it isn't worth stinting on it.
I was expecting an 'orrible job' but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I put on vinyl gloves and then put the long lambing gloves over the top just in case  but found they wern't necessary.
The skins were very clean inside and not at all smelly. I guess thats because they were so fresh. They were still warm when I was salting them. A week down the line and still no smell. Perhaps thats because I did a good salting job on them.

[fsmnutter]

I bought my salt from Tesco - at 25p per kg bag, it's about the same as the large bags but much tidier.
You should be able to put the salt on when it's really fresh, and my latest skin was removed from the sheep at the end of August and still doesnt smell with salt on it, I've been working it a little at a time when I get the chance, but 6 weeks on it is still fresh under the salt!
PS purse=scrotum, I'd rather not have that kind of pennies in my purse though lol