It’s easy to get the impression that all the people listed as breeders, exhibitors and owners have a shed full of show-groomed rabbits, with illness, mites and flies never daring to cross the threshold, but owners know that rapid problem-solving has to be the key to success.
Posts categorised: Angora Welfare
The Homeopathic Way
I am often asked for homeopathic remedies for rabbit ailments. The following will do no harm and may be helpful.. Tablets, mother tincture and ointments are sold by health food shops and some pharmacies. Administration of tablets can be done whether by placing directly into the mouth, (taking care not to touch the tablet by… Read more »
Wool harvesting for beginners by Mrs Pratley
Introduction This article was written many years ago by Mrs Pratley, a former President of the National Angora Club. For present day Angora keepers, some things have changed. Wool is stored in self seal heavy duty freezer bags rather than newspaper, tins and boxes, and the rabbit is often clipped sitting on the owner’s knee…. Read more »
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is not native to Britain, but was deliberately introduced from France in 1953 to control the wild rabbit population. It was rapidly fatal and over 99% of wild rabbits died. The virus has mutated and is now less severe, and to some extent wild rabbits have developed resistance. Domestic rabbits are still very vulnerable,… Read more »
Breeding rabbits for show
If you have acquired a pair of angoras (buck and doe) from a reputable breeder and you have checked that they are up to the standard set by the British Rabbit Council (BRC), are old enough (about eight months upwards) and are fit and well. Then you introduce the doe to the bucks cage. If… Read more »
Lopped ears on an angora
A key fault with angora rabbits it lopped ears, the cause is not easy to diagnose but it quite common in periods of excessive heat with summer litters. They can lop them due to damage and infection and in some cases it may be one or both ears. Sometimes depending on what caused them to… Read more »
Buying an Angora rabbit as a pet
All rabbits need a lot of looking after, and Angoras need more than most. Grooming several times a week, clipping 3 monthly, and they can live for 10 years! If you do not wish to use the coat it is a lot of work.
Timescales for clipping Angora rabbits
Clipping a angora rabbits should be done approximately once every 3 months to ensure they remain healthy. Once you have all the necessary equipment ready put the rabbit on your knees and brush any debris out of the coat. I usually clip the top coat first. Have your bag ready to put the wool in. Start… Read more »
Clipping angora rabbits
Most Angora owners clip their rabbit with hairdressing scissors, with the rabbit sat quietly on their knee. Injuries are extremely rare. In Britain rabbits are never restrained and relax into the positions required for clipping. The clipping doesn’t hurt, and the rabbit is used to being groomed and handled from a very early age. It is… Read more »
Problems with Babies in the nest
There can be problems with baby angora’s in the nest, so here is a quick post on what to look out for. Check for fur tangled around legs, or neck. This should be cut off as soon as you notice otherwise it could result in loss of a limb or death. It is important to… Read more »