English Angora rabbits all have their own individual personalities, they are generally good tempered and calm but do have a playful side. Often when they are ready to be separated from their mother and other babies they can find this process a bit unsettling so it doesn’t hurt to place suitable toys in their hutches for comfort and play.
Clipping in action
Here is a video showing the process of clipping an English Angora rabbit that was in show coat by Sally May of Bourne Stud Angoras. For more information see the post on clipping an Angora rabbit.
Clipping an Angora rabbit
Most Angora rabbit owners clip their rabbit with hairdressing scissors, with the rabbit sat quietly on their knees. Most will sit calmly throughout the process occasionally wriggling and the process is not stressful for them. Here is a step by step of the process with photographs of clipping a White Angora rabbit and separating out the good quality wool for use for spinning from a show coat Angora rabbit.
Nail clipping
Angora rabbits like any other domestic rabbit need their nails clipping regularly. It is hard to see the nails though due to their wool and furnishings. However, one of the best times time clip the nails is during coat clipping as part of an all over maintenance and health check.
Virtual Angora Rabbit Stock Show June 2020
This year we have had to cancel our Swindon Stock Show and AGM twice now due to Covid 19. So a decision was made to hold a virtual show with the judge still being Sarah Elliott. The show date was Sunday 14th June 2020 with closing dates for entries on the 11th June at 6pm.
So if you are feeling like you need some Angora bunny time then check out the entries and winners below and details of the virtual show. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the virtual event and for all those who entered and joined in with the lockdown spirit and for allowing us to publish your beautiful bunny photos online.
Virtual Woolfest online
Although Woolfest has been cancelled in Cockermouth this year, it has moved online. There will be a virtual Woolfest, Woolfest Online 2020 on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th June. Do visit the Woolfest Online 2020 Facebook page.
The National Angora Club will be there, selling our wool (we hope) and letting people know about our lovely rabbits. If craft members have never been to Woolfest, then take a look! Well worth visiting in person next year.
Helping your baby angora rabbits develop
It is important for baby Angora rabbits once they start to eat hard food and greens for themselves to be able to offer them a wide variety of suitable food types to ensure they have that balanced diet and grow up to be healthy. Check out a previous post on feeding for more details.
Rabbit face masks
We have a few masks if anyone would like to buy one. There are two types at the moment. They are made from 100% cotton (outer) and 100% silk (inner). They are one size and cost £6 each to National Angora Club (NAC) Members. Postage £1 within the UK. If you would like one please contact Sally May via the NAC Facebook page or via e-mail nationalangoraclub@gmail.com
Overseas angora clubs
Caecotrophy
It must be understood that this is a completely natural process in the rabbit, whereby part of the food intake is re-ingested, and goes through the digestive channels for a second time. There are two types of droppings; hard, dry glossy, round pure waste ones, that are passed regularly throughout the day; and the small soft dark faeces (called caecotrophs) that are formed in clusters, and enclosed in a coating of gel mucus. These caecotrophs are taken direct from the anus and swallowed whole; consequently, wire floors do not interfere with this action. Re-ingestion occurs mostly at night, unobserved. Caecotrophy is a vital function in the rabbits complicated digestive system.
Deprivation of these caecotrophs will cause diminished health. The owner has reason to be slightly worried if groups of these are found on the hutch floor in the mornings. It can occur in an obese animal, or , for any reason that prevents the rabbit being able to sit up, and bend its head right down between the hind legs in order to reach the anus. There can be an excess of caecotrophs if the diet is too high in protein, carbohydrates and sugar; the remedy is to cut down on the over rich feed, and to introduce a high fibre diet with plenty of hay; a small amount of green food; a slice of apple daily; and a restricted measured amount of pellet / corn / mix.