Definition
It seems a bit surreal but chicken leather is not that rare material. The feet and legs of the adult chicken are processed to get miniature hides.
Chicken skin is used to produce leather as well. They are really tiny/small crystals. The skin from ostrich legs was used to produce clothing, which is a bigger commodity than animal skin.
The real word chicken leather does not apply to leather produced from the actual chicken. Chicken leather also refers to leather that is crafted from the fur of poultry, including chicken and turkey feathers. This material is primarily used for producing women’s gloves.
Chicken hides may be stitched together to make larger articles, although only the legs and feet of chickens are used in this process. Besides chicken and ostrich leather, you can even buy duck and turkey leather.
Chicken leg leather as used for producing luxurious products like purses and wallets have to have several hides sewn together to create a functional piece and to produce the products required.
The skin pattern on leather used in chicken items is distinctive, with a very thick grain pattern. Poulard is the name of leather that is produced from chicken skin.
Anyway, chicken skin products are quite popular in some regions of East Asia.
How is chicken leather processed? Firstly, the skin is rubbed off. This arises at the manufacturing facility. Then they apply salt to protect the leather, after the tanning process. This agent keeps bacteria from decomposing tissue.
The mission may be achieved by taking the hide to the tannery. It is washed and shaved, then all sides will in turn be shaved and waxed, so it may take the hair off one side and the fat with the connective tissue from the other side. It is primed for getting the tanned products. The tanning chemicals are added to the skin by changing the pH amount in the special light devices (level of acidity). Throughout the dyeing and finishing process.
Chicken skin is taken from the legs of the duck, precisely the upper portion of the body.
Thanks to special technologies, they process the textured surface and make leather panels from chicken leg skin. Finished chicken skin allows you to make unique products with an unusual appearance. In terms of strength, these types of chicken leather are superior to many classic types of calf leather, sheepskin, etc.
Uses
Chicken leather shows a designer’s pattern. The follicles are distributed throughout the feather tracts; the grain texture is beside the follicle. Thanks to its texture that resembles ostrich leather and reptile skin, chicken leather is used for making different products.
1) Gloves and covers
The material is soft and flexible for women’s gloves. Due to its softness, you may use it for items like DIY steering wheel covers and mobile phone covers.
2) Shoes
A stylish alternative to reptile skin shoes is to wear leather shoes made of chicken feet.
3) Watch Straps
Chicken leg leather may be a reasonable substitute for ostrich leg leather. It has small, nice-looking scales, which look really good on necklaces and bracelets. The practice can be used for watch straps, bands and inlays. In order to use one leather strap, you’ll need to use at least 2 hen leather hides.
Chicken leather is as thick as emu leather – that is why it can be used to make a variety of items.
4) Fashionable accessories
For instance, Indonesian brand Nurman Farieka Ramdhany uses chicken leather as an alternative to more exotic and expensive material – crocodile leather and snakeskin, to name a few. They make chicken leather shoes out of leftovers – mostly scraps and feet. It is a great alternative to controversial reptile skin (still on demand in the international fashion industry).
Chicken leather is used by many modern designers for such products as belts, flash drives covers, key chains, shoes, bags, covers for documents, wallets, purses, bags and many other luxury accessories.
Benefits of Chicken Leather
- Natural leather material made from the chicken legs;
- Non-toxic;
- Durable;
- Easy to tan at home;
- The nice grain pattern;
- Soft to the touch;
The chicken skin of the legs has a beautiful texture, small shell fragments like those of an ostrich’s legs, only more elastic and having their unique pattern.
Chicken/hen skin provides a versatile and elegant body component for use in crafting a wide range of high-value leather products. This grained leather is beautiful and durable. Tanned chicken hides are used in some of the richest countries in the world to produce high-end luxury goods.
Care and maintenance
You would want to make sure to use natural leather conditioner and cleaner if you are fortunate enough to own chicken leather products. For instance, you may pick the lineup of Leather Honey products that includes a leather cleaner and conditioner for exotic materials like chicken leather.
1) Cleaning
Clean the chicken leather product before conditioning. Your item can get dusty after a bit, whether it be from dirt and grime or oil from your palms. The Leather Honey Leather Cleaner is a healthy, reliable way to clean the grime before you get sick.
Dilute the leather cleaner first and apply it to a container of spray. Then, gently spray your item, preventing the temptation of over-saturating the leather. Wipe the lint-free cloth with the cleaner and the soil, then allow it to dry entirely.
2) Conditioning
Chicken leather conditioning is important to maintain it smooth and perfect. To compensate for the fact that natural oils are no longer preserving the meat, a chicken leather moisturizer/conditioner is a must-have thing. The leather can dry out and become brittle without daily conditioning, adding to cracks and damage. Consider picking a non-toxic conditioner with natural components to avoid discoloration of chicken leather hides.
Add a bit of the conditioner to your chicken leather product. Rub it all over the product. Leave it to rest for 2 hours until the whole item is covered and dry. For comfort, you may also let it stay overnight. Then, clean off all of the residues that have not been absorbed, and enjoy your restored, moisturized hide.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ve changed your mind about exotic leather materials. It is possible to create an interesting DIY project using chicken leather. It is extremely cheap, non-toxic and durable, though its texture resembles exotic materials as reptile skin.
