LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

DEFECTS DUE TO FAULTY HANDLING

• Fallen hides
  • Hides removed from animals died of natural causes are known as fallen hides.
  • These are inferior not only because the hide substance was reduced due to fever or starvation but also, because the flaying of a dead animal is difficult as subcutaneous connective tissues hardens after death.
• Ground drying
  • This is a defective method of preservation and leads to visible and invisible damages such as hair slip, taint, blisters which leads to cracks etc.
  • Smoke damage: occurs due to tanning materials, if they are kept in the vicinity of open fires.
• Used hides and skins
  • Hide and skins are used as sleeping mats or garments before selling them.
  • By this, they are generally torn, cracked, smoked, oil-tanned or damaged by insects.
• Brand marks
  • Brand mark when carelessly made, seriously reduces the value of the hides.
  • The hot iron should be used only on the less value part. Branding for identification or for disease reduces the value of the skin.
• Wire damage
  • Inserting wires into the brisket, dewlap, and shoulder area or side region causes this.
  • This damage should be differentiated from animals, which suffer scratches when confined to areas fenced with barbed wire.
• Cracks
  • Cracks occur when over dried hides are folded during transport, which leads to damage.
• Pressure sores
  • This is also called as deductible gangrene, which is a very common defect seen on hides derived from animals due to illness or starvation for a prolonged periods.
  • The hip and shoulder blade regions are mostly affected.
• Bad shape or patterns
  • Damage by vermin, such as hyenas, rats and dogs with subsequent trimming of the damaged parts contribute to an asymmetrical hide.
  • Knife Damage: This occurs due to use of sticking knives for flaying or knives with spear shaped blades leads to hide damage.
  • Carelessness, unskilled speed, lack of experience, poor visibility and the flaying of cold or undressed carcasses also lead to hide defects and damage.
• Bruises
  • Bruises are common either before they reach the abattoir or during the slaughtering operation.
  • Insufficient Bleeding: In incomplete bleeding, the blood vessels are not drained; such hides are called as “veiny” leather an undesirable defect.
• Dragged or rubbed grain
  • Pulling the carcasses over rough ground or damaged cement floors causes this fault.
• Thorn scratches
  • During the dry period, the animals browse on the bushes and thorn trees and in consequence, thorn scratches and grain damage results.
• Infrequent transport
  • Transport defects and damages occur due to difficulties in transport of hides during the rainy seasons, when the goods are stored for long periods without proper protection from rain and insect.
  • Rubbing and soiling during transport may contribute further damage.
• Adulteration
  • By smearing and plastering the hides with mud, manure, ashes or by leaving excessive amounts of fleshing is a common custom in a number of less developed countries.

To overcome the defects and damages of hide and skins the following are to be taken into consideration.

• Programs to improve the hide should be drawn.
• Training and demonstration of proper methods of flaying should be given.
• Abattoirs should be provided sufficient facilities for hide and skin handling as it fetches substantial revenues.
• Skinning cradles should be provided.

Treatment after flaying

• Hide and skin may leave the abattoir premises either in green or preserved form.
  • Green hide or skin: Green hide or skin is the term applied to hide or skin, which have only been flayed, fleshed, trimmed and washed.