If you ’re interested in raise your own vulcanized fiber on your farm , whether you plan to use it for spinning or you require to sell it , there ’s no good way to do it than to raise your own fiber rabbits .
hare are cuddly , soft , and sluttish to raise . They are so small that they are soft to finagle than other fibre creature , likesheepor alpacas . Plus , they suppurate quickly , mean you wo n’t have to await long before you have mint of fiber to spin .
Here are some tips on elevate coney for fibre – as well as some of the unspoilt breeds you’re able to raise .
Choosing Fiber Rabbit Breeds
Most of the meter , the great unwashed raise Angora rabbits for fibre . What many people do n’t agnise , though , is that “ Angora ” is a general term used to describe several kind of breeds . Also , Angoras are n’t the only lapin you may call down for fiber . Here are some of the most popular fibre rabbit stock .
1. English Angora
English Angoras are the small out of all the angora rabbit breeds . Nonetheless , they are incredibly productive . At only 5 to 6 pounds , these bundles of pig develop a ton of wool for their size .
On average , you ’ll get up to 1 - pounding of angora fiber per year from just one rabbit . They acquire fiber on every inch of their body , including their feet , brass , and ears .
This heavy wool growth is absolutely endearing to behold – but also quite tricky to maintain . You ’ll have to pick off or brush your rabbit every few months , as the wool sheds .
2. Satin Angora
Satin Angoras are some of the most highly sought - after fibre rabbit strain . Their wool is hump for being easy to twirl . It also has a gorgeous color and a luxurious feeling .
Unfortunately , you wo n’t get quite as much fiber from these rabbits . They only bring forth about 8 - ounce of fiber a year .
3. French Angora
French Angoras command less maintenance than English Angoras , as they have shorter hair’s-breadth . They are passably expectant than English Angoras . However , since they do n’t produce quite as much fiber per pound , you ’ll still only cease up yielding about a pound of fiber each year .
French Angora rabbits also shed their coat naturally . you may glean the wool by brushing rather of clipping . They have more guard hairs than English Angoras , too . This means that their wool is less likely to matt . Gallic Angoras also have the most intense pigments in these guard hairs , so the color of their wool can be quite attractive .
4. German Angora
German Angoras are large rabbits , with most tap the graduated table at around 10 to 11 pounds . They are almost twice as large as English Angoras and therefore , can produce twice as much wool .
The downside to German Angoras is that they do not naturally disgorge and must be curtail every 90 Clarence Day – year - cycle – to keep them healthy and the fiber in serious shape .
5. Giant Angora
The Giant Angora , as you might expect by the name alone , is another large rabbit breed . These breed can produce up to 12 pounds each and have many of the same characteristics as the German Angora .
Like German Angoras , Giant Angoras necessitate to be shear or snip . They can not be brushed to maintain or reap their wool .
6. American Fuzzy Lop
If you do n’t require to raise Angora rabbits , you might want to look at the American Fuzzy Lop . This cony is a wool breed that is similar in appearance to the Holland Lop .
It has short woollen than a commercial-grade Angora and is also quite a fleck smaller . The fur is moderately coarse and thick . Most American Fuzzy Lops weigh in at around 4 pound .
7. Jersey Wooly
Jersey Wooly cony are also quite diminished , usually only weighing between 1 and 3 pounds . These fiber rabbits are n’t super economic to raise because of their sizing . They are moot “ dwarf ” rabbits , in fact . These hare are best suited to being raised as PET – the fiber will be a side benefit .
Raising and Taking Care of Fiber Rabbits
As with raise any other eccentric of lapin , you ’ll need to take fear of your rabbits right so they can hold out a happy and level-headed life sentence .
Ear mites , one of the most common health offspring for roughage rabbits , and most other health number can be debar by proper hygienics . pick your rabbit hovel weekly – or even more often , if necessary . You ’ll know that your rabbit is suffering from mites if he / she has ears that look scabbed over . you could use petroleum in the infected ear to avail clear up these speck .
rabbit disease is a longsighted topic to breed , so if you need to learn more about preventing and taking care of the most common rabbit wellness problems , go ahead toits own separate guide .
1. Housing Fiber Rabbits
Fiber rabbits tend to be a chip more sensitive to excessively spicy and frigid temperature . Most rabbits can make it in ahutchthat is kept in an unheated shed – or even outside – during insensate weather . That ’s not the case for Angora rabbits .
If you contrive on keeping fibre hare during the wintertime , you will need to lend them inside .
Plus , some vulcanized fiber rabbit are prone to sunburn . You will call for to provide your rabbits with shade during the hottest month . Keep in mind that , even when the shade is provide , some coney may still choose to stay in the sun , and sunburn can have dire consequences for Angora rabbits .
Because of these concerns , a lot of people choose to arouse fiber cony indoors class - round , either in a barn or in the house .
fibre rabbits do best in telegram cage , ideally raised individually . Fur lean to mat when put into direct impinging with bedding .
Raising them alone is essential because if a clam is constantly coming into contact with a Energy Department , their pelt will become mat from try out to bite onto their rear for coupling .
Be careful about what kind of bedding you use for your fiber rabbit . Bedding can easy stick to a fiber rabbit ’s pelage , causing hard mat . Do n’t use tear up pine tree or cedar skimming as bedding . alternatively , use bedding like a newspaper to help control odor without damage your fiber coney ’s wool .
2. Feeding and Watering Fiber Rabbits
Fiber rabbits want lots of hay to keep their bowels healthy . you may more often than not raise and bung your character cony in the same way you wouldfeed other rabbit breeds , with one exclusion .
Fiber rabbits require supernumerary character because they are often ego - grooming . This can cause your rabbits to become “ oblige up . ” The fiber help keep the digestive system of rules in effective workings order .
pellet alone will not be enough – make certain you provide thatextra hay ! However , pellet will spring a dependable basis for your lapin ’ diet . Pellets are loaded with protein and will assist your rabbit keep their weight .
As with other types of rabbit , you could alsofeed fiber rabbitsvegetable and yield scraps , too . The medium coney will demand about 1100 calories per day or 7 - ounces of food for thought .
If you ’re really concerned about digestive problems , you’re able to also supplement with melon tree tablet , which is said to reduce blockages .
Make trusted you supply plenty of water , too . practice rabbit waterer with nozzles and zip tie them to the coop . You should only have to fill again a couple of times per week .
3. Breeding Fiber Rabbits
Fiber lapin can be hard to find , especially if you are provoke a “ rarified ” breed like a Satin Angora . You will pay up to $ 50 per rabbit . However , you may be able-bodied to find these rabbits for complimentary on Craigslist but because many people underestimate how much work goes into raising fibre hare .
That said , if you decide to engender fiber rabbits and have a undecomposed securities industry in your area , you should n’t have a operose time selling them . breed vulcanized fiber rabbits is a good idea if you desire to maintain your own closed in - loop of fiber rabbit producers , too .
Energy Department fiber rabbits should be bred before their first birthday . Otherwise , their hip bones can fuse to become too minute to let baby rabbits snuff it through . essay to spawn your cony at about nine calendar month honest-to-goodness .
The respectable bucks for education will be those that have easy dispositions and proficient fibre characteristics . Always put your Energy Department into the buck ’s space , and not vice versa . This may have the doe to become too territorial . A rabbit ’s maternity is only 30 solar day .
Mother rabbit will , for the most part , handle all babe rabbit caution . You will need to provide your fibre hare with a nesting box , just like you would any other kind of hare .
Most mother rabbit will gazump out loosened fuzz in the 24-hour interval before bear their rabbit and expend their excess hair to make a nest .
4. Grooming Fiber Rabbits
Grooming is the most time - consuming task when it come to lift fibre lapin . However , you will need to dress your rabbit on a weekly basis – perhaps more during slough periods . Often , you will require to train up to four time per week when your rabbit are shed !
How to groom your fiber coney will depend on your specific rabbit breed . Some rabbit will need to be brushed , while others are more self - sufficient .
If you are groom Angora rabbits , for the most part , you will require to handle them for about 30 to 40 minutes to each one . This can be done once a calendar week . You ’ll get a sight of fluff per rabbit . All you need to do is comb your rabbits to take the additional wool . Sometimes , you may have to pluck or shear .
Grooming should be done even when you are n’t be after on reap any wool .
If you are n’t up to the regular chore of grooming , pick another strain .
5. Harvesting Wool
harvest home wool will depend in part on what breed you have selected . Make certain you ’ve done your research and read whether your breed needs to be fleece or plucked .
It can be tough to shear your hare for the first metre ! They are uneasy by nature and require to be prepare by the clippers . The first few time can be rocky , so you may want to have somebody who is cultivate in shearing and jog rabbits show you what to do the first few go - arounds .
Here are some more confidential information on how toproperly harvest woolfrom your rabbits .
Even if you do n’t plan on using the fiber right away , verify you harvest fleece every three months . Otherwise , the pelt can become matted and your rabbits may develop antsy rashes .
If you have to tear the rabbit or else of shear , you will have a fairly easy time . The hair will naturally relax and shed . If you have to pull , that means the fur is not yet quick for harvest . Otherwise , it should be easy for you to remove your fiber .
Rabbits that are meant to be pluck will really savor the cognitive operation . This is because , as you start to pluck , the rabbit ’s body will lead off to slack .
Final Tips for Raising Fiber Rabbits
When you are conjure up fiber rabbit , your achiever jump with choosing the right breed . This should be done in conformity with your plans for the fiber as well as how much time you have to dedicate to like for and grooming your rabbits each week .
check that you pay aid to the unique dressing and dietary needs of your rabbits , too . commend to glean thewool – at least every three months – even if you do n’t have a current economic consumption for it .
This way , your fibre rabbits will appease salubrious and productive long into their lives .
Was this article helpful?
What went wrong?
This article check incorrect information
This article does not have the selective information I am looking for
How can we improve it?
We appreciate your helpful feedback!
Your solution will be used to improve our depicted object . The more feedback you give us , the good our Page can be .
