Angora Thread

[DianeS]

So I was wondering...one of my 4-H kiddos is getting an english angora doe on monday and she has no clue about how to take care of it, and neither do I. So what sort of maintenance do you guys do on coats? How often do you brush/groom, any special techniques or products, tips/tricks, etc etc.
Also...the breeder said she wasn't going to get bigger than 7 pounds...I thought they got a little bigger than that? Could just be a smaller rabbit, but I was just wondering.
Thanks in advance! Sorry about the thread hijack!

Hi, crazyturkey! I didn't see this when you originally posted it. In my opinion, what works to keep your rabbit tangle-free is what works. Some buns will need more grooming than others, so trial-and-error is what it will take to find what amount of grooming works for yours. It's really just like any long haired mammal (human or pet), start with something with wide teeth to uncover any mats, take care of them with a comb or fingers or scissors, and move to something with smaller teeth to help it fluff out.

Seven pounds is on the smaller side for an English Angora, but still in the realm of perfectly fine. Smaller works better for pet-type rabbits, rather than those raised for meat or strictly for fiber, because it's less rabbit to feed and less hair to groom. So you really get more rabbit for your money and time with one that weighs less.

Have fun! And post back when you have some pictures. We like pictures!

 

[Haazegirl]

We found out that we like the fine rotating toothed comb best. We do it pretty often, about every other day or so since he's inside. He loves to come out of his cage and play, and he likes his toys too! Loki is a big boy though, and I don't know what the difference is between english and german hair. Once I comb it out good it's pretty easy and quick to do a maintenance brush just to keep it nice and neat. I stopped combing a few days ago since he's shedding more and he's about to blow his coat. I'm hoping to collect it for spinning.

My friend took care of him last weekend and had him outside. She said he isn't like her bunnies since he's a pet and she could tell by the way he comes right up to the door and wants attention. His bunny babies are growing so fast!! I picked up an outdoor hutch last weekend too, but I've gotten so used to him keeping me company around the house that I'm not sure he'll use it much.

I'll take pictures of the babies next time we visit, but here's my bunny bunns after cutting all the originall matts and growing out his wool for a while.

 

[Mamaboid]

How handsome! Really like him.

 

[SarahMelisse]

He's a cutie! Is it just me or does he look Vienna marked? Do you know what color he is? I can't tell if I'm seeing a shadow because of what he's sitting under or if he has two colors to his coat.

 

[PinkFox]

Id LOVE angoras one day but i worry about them with the heat and humidity...

 

[Haazegirl]

I was told that he was black because of his black face. (I also thought he was purebred since he had a pedigree, never assume anything apparently) She also said his coat would change from black to grayish white over time. The front of his body is grayish white in the picture because that area was covered with matts and we cut them all out exposing the lighter under layer of hair. His hair kind of fades from black on the tips to white closer to the skin. I'm wondering how it will grow out after we pluck this layer! The wool he sheds while combing looks gray when lumped all together. Maybe there's a term for his color? IDK

 

[SarahMelisse]

I was told that he was black because of his black face. (I also thought he was purebred since he had a pedigree, never assume anything apparently) She also said his coat would change from black to grayish white over time. The front of his body is grayish white in the picture because that area was covered with matts and we cut them all out exposing the lighter under layer of hair. His hair kind of fades from black on the tips to white closer to the skin. I'm wondering how it will grow out after we pluck this layer! The wool he sheds while combing looks gray when lumped all together. Maybe there's a term for his color? IDK

That actually makes sense. I don't have any black angoras (yet) but my chocolate tort's coat is like that. More color at the tips and lighter closer to the skin. When I pluck her all of her wool is a creamy tan. My fawn doe's coat is the opposite though. She is an agouti. All of her color is at the base and as her wool grows out it looks lighter and lighter at the tips.

 

[Haazegirl]

I saw a lavender angora at the rabbit show we went to. I'm in love!
I wonder if their coat fades to white or is solid?