Baby Rabbit

[JRose]

I have a lifesize baby cottontail to do for a friend.  The thing is tiny, no more than 5" long.  Very fluffy and in good condition.  What kind of soak would suffice for preservation?  I wasn't planning on tanning the tiny hide, although I'm sure that is ultimately the best route.  I would also like to do several little mice, which I have done before, but am curious about others' hide preservation methods.  Thank you in advance.

[ljones]

a baby rabbitt  skin would be about as strong as  wet toliet paper, i have my doubts that you would be able to even skin one and keep it in one piece , i would say freeze drying would be the best route

[JRose]

a baby rabbitt would have a skin like wet toliet paper, i have my doubts that you would be able to even skin one and keep it in one piece , i would say freeze drying would be the best route

I handle mice, voles, and small rodents very frequently so I assumed the skin would not be much different.  I will find out when it's finished thawing...

[ljones]

rabbitt skins even adults are extremely fragile and weak in places

[JRose]

Well the little bugger is skinned, hardly a hair out of place.  I have frozen the skin until I can get a suggestion on what I can do further.  I would like some input on what others do to preserve tiny hides.  I've heard denatured alcohol works well...

[trbruning]

DA works fine for small animals like rabbits and squirrels, dp would also work

[JRose]

I have both DA and borax.  I would think to use DA though for this though, as borax would dry the tiny skin out so fast I wouldn't be able to work with it!  I would rather mount it up wet and pliable.  How long should I soak for, and is there any other initial prep?  I've fleshed and turned everything.  I couldn't get the hind feet out, as they physically would not fit through the narrow legskin, but I figure on a critter so tiny there's not enough meat in those back toes to cause an issue.

[trbruning]

for the back feet i would inject some DA directly into the foot because there is enough meat there to cause bugs to come for a meal. for the extra 2 or 3 minutes it would take it is well worth it

[JRose]

Thanks for the tip.  Does the skin require soaking for a few minutes, or more like a few hours?

[John L]

Can you post a pic of the skin and how you skinned it?

[JRose]

Can you post a pic of the skin and how you skinned it?

I certainly can when I've preserved it.  I've got it frozen right now.  I'm still not sure of how long to let it soak for proper preservation

[Daniel M.]

Baby rabbits aren't that hard to skin, tan and mount at all. I have done several, here's one that was about 6 inches long.

[grygon]

That's such a cute mount!

There was someone once that was selling mounted baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies by the arm full last year, I wonder why they stopped.

[Jim B]

Maybe not for you Daniel.I'd rather stick those pins in my eyes.

Denatured alcohol will not have any affect on bugs.It will pickle the skin and set the hair.3-4 hours is enough.It will keep as long as it's in there

You should use some borax or dry preservative on it before mounting.As for the feet,denatured alcohol won't stop bugs.They will eat it and party while doing so.

[JRose]

Thanks for the input, Jim.  I'll be getting on this little bugger real soon.  I'll post again when I'm further along.