I have an aoudad to mount. Was reading the archives about slippage trouble in sheep and goats due to lanolin in skin. Skin will be salted/dried/rehydrated prior to pickling (I use citric acid). I have some phenol...should I use it in the pickle, or will the pickle itself provide enough anti-bacterial protection? If so, how much phenol per gallon of pickle is (or was) recommended?
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The pickle is just fine as long as you keep it at and no higher than 2.5. I like it lower than that but I use Saftee-Acid but your citic is just fine. You will have to keep a check on the Ph during the three days for it does weaken. Not to worry it's a normal process with the citric acid. So check the Ph twice a day. Once in the morning and right before you call it a day.
The pickle itself will kill all the bad bacteria so you don't need the phenol in it. If phenol was used it would be in the rehydration bath but I wouldn't waste it there either. If your hide was properlly treated you won't have a problem with slippage. Now if the client did a bad job on taking care of the cape then it was caused with them not you.