Proper Porcupine Plucking and Handling
- Thread starter mtwood24
- Start date
ghilliedogger
New member
Plucking porkies is pretty easy, you just need to keep it organized.
The valuable stuff is the guard hairs and only if they are 6" and up. Mostly the stuff down the middle of the back.
To remove the hair you grab as much as you can get a hold of between your thumb and finger by the tips and give it a sharp rip up and away.
Now lay the hairs in your other hand all the same direction and repeat.
If you get some of the underfur I like to shake it out before laying the hair in your other hand.
I occasionally take the hair and drop it on its end to align it better.
When you are done just wrap it in a rubber band and put it in an envelope or zip lock bag for storage.
It usually takes me less than 10 minutes to pluck one.
You should get 1/2 to 1 ounce of hair depending on how big the porcupine is and how long the hair is. Hair that is 9-12" long is more valuable but hair that is less than 6" or not organized is worth next to nothing.
Prices can vary but you should get 17 to 19 dollars per ounce.
Most buyers want to buy larger quantities so save it up. It stores well as long as you don't get any weavels in it.
You can also save the quills if they are clean.
They can be removed by pushing a towel or a piece of foam onto them and pulling them off.
The claws can be sold as well.
The valuable stuff is the guard hairs and only if they are 6" and up. Mostly the stuff down the middle of the back.
To remove the hair you grab as much as you can get a hold of between your thumb and finger by the tips and give it a sharp rip up and away.
Now lay the hairs in your other hand all the same direction and repeat.
If you get some of the underfur I like to shake it out before laying the hair in your other hand.
I occasionally take the hair and drop it on its end to align it better.
When you are done just wrap it in a rubber band and put it in an envelope or zip lock bag for storage.
It usually takes me less than 10 minutes to pluck one.
You should get 1/2 to 1 ounce of hair depending on how big the porcupine is and how long the hair is. Hair that is 9-12" long is more valuable but hair that is less than 6" or not organized is worth next to nothing.
Prices can vary but you should get 17 to 19 dollars per ounce.
Most buyers want to buy larger quantities so save it up. It stores well as long as you don't get any weavels in it.
You can also save the quills if they are clean.
They can be removed by pushing a towel or a piece of foam onto them and pulling them off.
The claws can be sold as well.