I am wondering about preserving a particular rabbit pelt. At this time I'm not sure what I would like to do with the pelt. I was thinking I could use it to make ear-muffs or something similar (not only was she good-to-eat, but she can keep my ears warm if I find myself in a place with a cold climate). I'm sure that I would need to get it professionally tanned if I want to use it in clothing. I was also thinking about home-tanning for non-clothing uses. But I haven't decide yet, I was even thinking about destroying it. For now, I just want to preserve it and keep it from rotting. What would a professional typically charge to tan a rabbit fur?
The pelt was washed with antibacterial and thoroughly rinsed. Then it was nailed to a sheet of plywood and allowed to air dry in the shade. It was then desiccant dried in an air-tight plastic bag. I was able to fluff-it-out by blowing air into the fur. I should mention that the hair is very fine. I think she was part angola but not pure angola. The hair is fluffy, I don't know if it qualifies as fuzz, It is softer than any of the rabbit furs at Hobby Lobby. I found some hair that washed out of the pelt and when I rubbed the hair in my hands I found it to be yarnable with each hair be about a half an inch long.
The pelt is currently in an zip-lock bag to keep the bugs/lizards out. There is a bag of silica gel desiccant inside. The pelt is rigid and the flesh side is yellowish against the white hair. I did not notice any fat on the flesh side, but there might be some since I did not scrape it. I choose to keep the bagged pelt in my storage shed, so I will not obsess over it and my roommates will not ask about it. The only problem I foresee with keeping it in the shed is that the temperature inside reacher over 100F many times during July and August.
If I wish to preserve the pelt can I keep it this way for a few years, or will I need to do something more?
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Rabbits cost about $4-8 each to have pro tanned and it's ANGORA, not angola. Send her out for tanning.
Next time just rough flesh it, and salt the flesh side. It will dry hard until you are ready to send out for tanning.
It's much cheaper than I thought, I was thinking $20-$35. After it is tanned would there be a problem with keeping it in a sealed bag with desiccant in a non climate controlled place, until I decide what to do with it?
You can do what ever you want with it. It won't hurt to leave it just set out in the open. I really don't think you would need to put a desiccant with it. It will be fine on it's own. You don't have to seal it in a bag either, just keep it dry and out of direct sunlight or extreme heat. That's really all you need to do. Hope that helps!