Can you use pigeon droppings to soften hides?

Answer by  SallyJ (1010)

Pigeon guano and other animal droppings were once used to soften or "tan" hides, but this is messy, stinky and hazardous to health. You can catch many diseases from animal droppings. You would be better off using vegetable tanning substances such as those derived from chestnut, oak, tanoak, hemlock, mangrove, and other sources.

Answer by  beelady (334)

Yes, pigeon droppings can be used as a bating agent in leather preparation. It can replace brain in traditional bating preparations used to soften and preserve the hide. There are reports that the ancient Romans used pigeon droppings in the preparation of their leather goods, and Pliny said that they had been using the droppings for thousands of years.