Thinking of angora rabbits for a while now.. I have a lead on some .. French angora.. Thinking of a trio.. and boy what I can do with that.. I can knit and crochet... Nice scarf maybe.. .I think I need some help. 
Angora rabbits
- Thread starter Mary Ann's Rabbitry
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Frecs
Well-known member
Glad to help. I'd suggest a white one (best option for dyeing experiments), a fawn/gold one, a black one (black is impossible to get with dye), some brokens, and...
I heard that bucks should not be used as fiber animals because they get yucky easily...I wonder if that's true?
really, I hope that isn't true
I have two french angora bucks. One is a smoked pearl, and the other is a broken blue tort. The smoked pearl has amazing density, but is shorter stapled than I'd like, and the broken tort is my second best wool producer. Though I do notice the SP buck gets a little messy on his hind end, I just discard the wool from that particular area and use the rest. The other buck keeps himself clean as a whistle.
Actually, your likely to get less wool from our does if you breed. They blow their coat every time they kindle, so whatever their mouth can reach typically gets used in the nest for bedding. If you only breed them once or twice a year you can still get the fur the rest of the time, but if your planning high production breeding you'll get very little fiber from them in comparison to your buck.
The pic below is the broken buck. His coat is only about half grown in from his last molt, but you can see he's squeaky clean! I even have a scarf I made using only his wool.
Actually, your likely to get less wool from our does if you breed. They blow their coat every time they kindle, so whatever their mouth can reach typically gets used in the nest for bedding. If you only breed them once or twice a year you can still get the fur the rest of the time, but if your planning high production breeding you'll get very little fiber from them in comparison to your buck.
The pic below is the broken buck. His coat is only about half grown in from his last molt, but you can see he's squeaky clean! I even have a scarf I made using only his wool.
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wow.. Nice.. do you have a pic of your scarf?.. I will only breed them once a year..
Kyle@theWintertime
Well-known member
FYI I loved my French Angora buck. He was meticulous with his grooming...and so sweet!!! I'm still spinning wool from my Angora herd...I swear I'll have more someday. French Angoras are amazing.
French Angoras are amazing.
Mary Ann's Rabbitry":2vmjaef2 said:
Unfortunately, no pic. It was a first attempt at spinning angora. Sage was the first angora I got, so I though it would be kinda special to have something that was specifically from him alone. It is just a very chunky 2x2 knit rib pattern with a few buttons.
If your only breeding once a year you'll get quite a bit of fiber off your does too, especially if you get good woolers. I have a doe who gives about 6 ounces a molt. She's my best momma though, so I lost the last two molts since I bred her for both, but with the new does in, she'll not be bred again until late next spring. The fiber is mine!!! No sharing with squiggly little worms!!
You might find though, once you start getting good at spinning Angora, you just get spoiled. Even some of my nicest alpaca is nothing compared to what I get from my rabbits. It turns you into a fiber snob. And then the brain goes to wonder, "Whats a few more angoras, then I'll have enough fiber..." And the cycle begins...
lol.. that is funny Psf angoras.. Ya I am bad if I like something.. Next thing I know I am looking for more .. So if this turns out ok.. I can see me keeping all the doe from the first litter and buying another buck from a another breeder. But you don't have to have allot of rabbits to produce what you want to make. I was told that you should mix the rabbit fur with another to make it more easly ......I guess I should make a new thread for this.
I answered your other thread. You can spin whole, it's just a bit harder if your not an experienced spinner. I started with angora spinning, and practices on some sheep wool along the way. Just don't let yourself get flustered if you don't get it right away. It will come to you, and you'll be glad you stuck to it in the end
lonelyfarmgirl
Well-known member
Depends on the buck. I have many angora bucks. I have one that pees on himself regularly, but only one. No big deal.
Oceanrose
Well-known member
My does produce plenty of fiber even with being bred. I keep finer records on all of them.
Bucks tend to produce a bit finer finer I have found, and most don't damage their coats. A few of my younger bucks go through a spraying stage then stop. There is a big difference in the quality of fiber depending on the lines. Try to find someone who spins, and either shows, or breeds with a solid idea of what they are looking for.
Bucks tend to produce a bit finer finer I have found, and most don't damage their coats. A few of my younger bucks go through a spraying stage then stop. There is a big difference in the quality of fiber depending on the lines. Try to find someone who spins, and either shows, or breeds with a solid idea of what they are looking for.
skysthelimit
Well-known member
So far, I'm just spinning, I haven't made anything yet. I'm on the fence, but I think I want a removable collar and a shawl.
got new angora rabbits.. I will post pics. excited... this one worked out
