Jan 11
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Ostrich Skins
ostrich skins are sold to tanneries to produce ostrich leather.
The unique characteristic of ostrich leather is a result of the ostrich feathers. Ostrich farming farm management and how the skins are handled are extremely important in ensuring the grade and quality of the skin.
A Tanned Ostrich Skin in Flame Red
When the South African ostrich farmers revived ostrich farming post World War Ii, they moved the industry from not only focussing on feathers, but also created a new industry based on ostrich leather. As the picture illustrates ostrich skins have some unique features created by the feather quills. . These quills provide uniqueness to manufactured products that other leathers are unable to challenge. These quills or follicles cover approximately 60% of the body.
Specialist tanners during the transition period have repeatedly commented on the challenges they have with tanning of ostrich leather. The variability in quality and unreliability of supply create their greatest challenges. This problem would be overcome once volume production was achieved with better consistency in bird production methods.
Leather goods manufactures have commented on their frustrations when ordering certain standards and receiving something very different. These variations apply to significant variations in consistency. Variations include skin thickness, follicle variations, scaring, tick bites and other marks, color variability and simply overall quality of the skins. Several tanners have commented on how some skins are so poor they have little structure and almost fall apart after going through the tanning process. Their greatest frustration has been the industry’s inability to supply a consistent product with reliable supply in adequate volumes to build their businesses.
Most of the problems experienced can be overcome through putting in place the right management systems including the nutrition of the birds.
It is possible to finish the skins in any color. Lighter colors become more challenging to maintain an evenness of color when the skins are variable in quality. Any product made in leather can use ostrich leather to add the wow factor. The maturity of the bird as slaughter does impact on the thickness and weight of the skin. Younger birds produce a soft very pliable skin. The stage of growth of the ostrich feathers impacts the size of the quill follicles.
Ostrich skins are generally priced by grade. The system used varies depending on the buyer and whether the skins are graded raw, crust or finished. Skins are normally graded raw or crust when purchasing from the farmer. They are graded for sale as finished skins. The fairest time for grading is when the skins are in crust. Grading raw is used when volumes are low and the skins may need exporting for tanning. Grading and paying in crust delays farmer payment.
Ostrich leather is a luxury product selling into the fashion market. Therefore it is subject to the current trends in the fashion industry, with the result that demand and prices can fluctuate from season to season. To maintain regular production, a strong ostrich meat market is critical to sustainable success and profitability of ostrich farming. Ostrich skins and their quality and consistency are part of the whole ostrich farming picture, that an ostrich farmer needs to take into account to maximize his returns.
