Skin defects affecting goat skin quality in Tanqua Abergelle district, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Skins of goat are among export animal products of the country that contributes foreign currency earnings. But many skins are rejected in the tanneries of Ethiopia due to their low quality. The purpose of this study was to identify the major defects causing low quality of skins in Tanqua Abergelle districts.Methods: Randomly 60 skins of goat were collected to identify the major defects that degrade the quality of skin in Tanqua Abergelle districts and were analyzed in Sheba Leather Industry at the wet-blue stage of processing.Results: Accordingly the major defects encountered were scratch (83.33), wound (50.00), knife (46.67), improper bleeding (43.33), demodectic mange (20.00), poor substance (18.33), pox/wart (16.67), age (6.67), hole (6.67), crack (5.00), brand mark (1.67) and putrification (1.67), percent respectively. The frequently detected defects were scratch (83.33%) followed by wound (50%) and least detected defects were putrification (1.67%) and brand mark (1.67%). From the total defects the proportion of demodectic mange was 20%. Out of the 60 skins 58 of them were encountered two and more than two defects. Those skins with more than two defects and above have been graded under 6 and above. According to Sheba Leather Industry guidelines, those skins graded under grades greater than 7 are rejected. Therefore, out of 60 goat skins 26 (43.3%) of them has been rejected. Most of the rejected skins were affected with at least two defects and above.Conclusions: In conclusion, around 12 major defects that have high impact on the quality of skin have been identified. Therefore, to minimize the defects of the skin extension service should be promoted to increase the public and butchers awareness and collaborative work with stakeholders should be enhanced.