We've had questions regarding accessories for angora care. Today, while grooming 'Coal' we thought it would be great to show what we use!
First we'll introduce 'Coal', he is a beautiful English Angora with a lot to offer. His coat is dense, fine fibered and he joined our rabbitry from a very colorful litter in northern Washington where his Dad took top local awards. He's fathered his first litter and we hope to have a colorful result.
First we'll introduce 'Coal', he is a beautiful English Angora with a lot to offer. His coat is dense, fine fibered and he joined our rabbitry from a very colorful litter in northern Washington where his Dad took top local awards. He's fathered his first litter and we hope to have a colorful result.
We chose a time that is cooler in the day, so he's not stressed in the heat or sun and after he's rested a bit (and pottied) after eating. Our basic supplies include our blower (The bright orange contraption that looks like a mini vacuum.), hair cutting scissors, fingernail clippers (small and large depending on the rabbit) , grooming comb and 'flicker' brush. Additionally, you'll want a few 'press and seal' sandwich size or freezer size bags or preferred container for your fiber.
Basic grooming accoutrements...
We like to blow out a rabbit first because it helps move hay or bits of matter out of their fiber and it eliminates much of the dander rabbits can build up. (Let me tell you, you'll want to do this outside, or you'll have a layer of white powdery dander on everything.) It also helps to begin to separate the hairs to make it easier for grooming while making them look fuller and beautiful. Show rabbits you may have seen pictures of, have certainly been blown out and often had other things done to enhance their appearance (coat spritzing, powders, etc). There is a lot of work involved making them look so perfectly full of fluff. Our rabbits aren't participating in shows, but still like to be pampered and consistent grooming practices keep them healthy and keep us in plenty of quality fiber for our projects!
When you are first getting acquainted with your rabbit, you may find they are done (note our previous post on behaviors to identify this) after a few minutes of pampering. Don't worry; as with any new animal, it will take time for them to get comfortable with you and you can continue to increase time in manageable increments. Above, you can see a shearing done on another English Angora, Butterball. He is doing very well here; sitting patiently as I work to shear him, in a circular pattern, beginning at the part along his spine. (Butterball went on to another rabbitry years back.)
It is important to remember if you are shearing during the colder seasons, your rabbit can no longer insulate him/herself without their thick coat. You NEED to make a temporary coat for them until they grow a bit back, especially if you are raising them outdoors. A simple solution is to reuse the sleeve of a woolen sweater. Cut it away at the elbow and where the wrist sits, measure carefully to accommodate holes for the front legs. You slip it over their head, insert front legs and they are now warm again.
This information is meant to be a great starting point, if you have further questions, feel free to get in touch with us! Contact form is on the home page.
It is important to remember if you are shearing during the colder seasons, your rabbit can no longer insulate him/herself without their thick coat. You NEED to make a temporary coat for them until they grow a bit back, especially if you are raising them outdoors. A simple solution is to reuse the sleeve of a woolen sweater. Cut it away at the elbow and where the wrist sits, measure carefully to accommodate holes for the front legs. You slip it over their head, insert front legs and they are now warm again.
This information is meant to be a great starting point, if you have further questions, feel free to get in touch with us! Contact form is on the home page.
After using the blower, we typically move to brushing out remaining bits of vegetation and using the comb to work on any small matts that may have formed. We also flip them over working on the underbelly and paws and clip nails at that time. It is important to observe the quick of their nails and to avoid going too close to it; just take off small amounts to keep them from being too 'poky', especially if you have a young angora. You'll note that I just use human fingernail clippers, which are perfect for smaller rabbits. As they age or are larger with bigger nails, toe-nail clippers do the job well.
After these basics, if they are in molt, we begin the process of either shearing, plucking, or just easing fiber out with the comb. You see what kind of length and in what quantity Coal released his fiber. This is what I would call 'one handful' of plucking. I liken plucking to a cat or dog shedding out before summer, that fur can be coming off in sheets! With rabbits it happens before the fiber is fully grown in and more frequently (every 90 days) . It doesn't hurt them to take it off, instead they feel better because they are eliminating extra insulation and not getting matts. As a general rule, their entire body won't release in one day. It is often releasing in different patches around their body over a week or so. Additionally, each rabbit may have a different pattern of how and when it releases.
After these basics, if they are in molt, we begin the process of either shearing, plucking, or just easing fiber out with the comb. You see what kind of length and in what quantity Coal released his fiber. This is what I would call 'one handful' of plucking. I liken plucking to a cat or dog shedding out before summer, that fur can be coming off in sheets! With rabbits it happens before the fiber is fully grown in and more frequently (every 90 days) . It doesn't hurt them to take it off, instead they feel better because they are eliminating extra insulation and not getting matts. As a general rule, their entire body won't release in one day. It is often releasing in different patches around their body over a week or so. Additionally, each rabbit may have a different pattern of how and when it releases.