Typical Frenchie Wool Production?

[PSFAngoras]

I'm trying to set a standard to help me select who stays and who goes for my FA breeding program, as well as get a gauge on what seems to be the average consistency of an 'awesome' wool producer. I don't show, so I've not had a chance to talk with some of the better breeders out there about their rabbits' coat production.

So far, I've been looking at the kit's temperaments and conformation,as well as wool density and length ( I've been able to pick some good ones, but I'd like proof behind what I choose, not just an educated guess), and I'd like to get more technical. I've heard that 12 to 16 ounces a year is a standard output for an french angora (3 to 4 ounces per molt) but I'm noticing higher numbers in the majority of my rabbits, in particular two rabbits from the same buck.

One is my main breeding doe (11.6 pounds), she's doing about 6 ounces a molt, and the other is her half brother (10-11 pounds), and he's around 5 ounces a molt, maybe a bit more.

What is the norm out there for show quality rabbits? I know I'd have to bring in smaller breeding stock for them to qualify (lowering wool weight), but I'd like to be able to gauge what should be normal for an animal that is considered quality on the show table. I may never apply it to the show table, but I would like to know that if I'm talking to someone who shows that were on the same page as far as quality is concerned.

What do you all think out there? What is your standard for quality Frenchie production?

 

[skysthelimit]

10 oz is good, but of course with a smaller show rabbit you are going to get less. You've got buns that are 2-3lbs heavier than the standard, they should produce more than the average wool. I can't say I've gotten 3 oz of usable wool yet, but that was really my own fault.

I would not get smaller Angora, I would show them up until the time they become to big for the table. At this point, wool is the very last thing on my list, I'm more concerned about growth rate. It's kind of a happy by product for a beautiful rabbit.

 

[PSFAngoras]

I personally love the big bunnies too, more wool, and more meat if they don't make the cut, but it seems like I keep getting customers frowning on the larger rabbits now. Not even the wool production reels them in, they want a 4-h bunny for their kids that they can buy once and show year after year ( ya, parents are THAT involved around here!). Every other interested party seems to have caught the dwarf rabbit and think the angoras are too big. I'm just figuring if I can produce a line that has exceptional wool quality by some kind of unanimous standard that it may give me an edge.

Thanks for the info, it will be nice to kind of compare over the bread and find an acceptable average

 

[skysthelimit]

Maybe raise Jersey Woolies as well? That's why I have them, like mini Angoras. I actually get a decent amount of wool of those guys, I have 4 for every Angora I have, and their wool is easily 3-4 inches.

Or maybe you want to keep one small buck to get a slightly smaller Angora.

If you ever head towards Ohio, you can bring me one of those large FAs.

 

[Frecs]

If you ever head towards Ohio, you can bring me one of those large FAs.

Or, if you head over to Myrtle Beach, SC for a beach vaca...let me know...I'd LOVE one of your big FAs!

 

[Blossomacres]

I am in Michigan and I would say that the typical in my area is a few ounces each molt, 4 molts a year. For whatever reason a lot of the FA in Michigan are on the smaller size, so I would absolutely love to bring bigger into my herd! I have heard of some French Angoras producing 6+ ounces at a molting but I am not sure if that is 4 moltings a year.

Yes, bigger rabbits will have more body coverage and therefore more wool. A rabbit that does not naturally slip its coat is also usually going to have a bigger coat too, so keep that in mind.

 

[PSFAngoras]

I don't travel much, but if any of you find yourself out the Southern Colorado way I'd be happy to have you go home with kits!

I did think about the whole Jersey Wooly thing, but to be completely honest, I don't like the dwarf breeds. I did get a friend into them since she has health problems and quite a few children, but I have more of a Napoleon complex. I'm 5'3" so naturally I have to get my hands on the biggest rabbits I can find out there. I was going to choose Flemish as my meat breed until I figured out my 30X36 cages were not going to cut it. I also have to have my big fluffy Frenchies. (Mine range from 11 to 13 pounds, though I did bring in new, smaller lines to try to get show size stock to help improve sales, hopefully) Though I would like to be able to sell enough kits to at least pay for feed, I don't see why I should have to bring in a small breed to make that happen. I just need to figure out how to advertise to the right crowd!

All of my woolers do shed out like they are supposed to. I don't like spinning shorn fiber, so what I do have to shear in summer either gets blended if it's nice enough, or thrown aside to use as extra bedding for kits in winter. Production listed above was based on what was plucked from a winter molt.

I wonder why all of you are running into problems finding larger stock? That seems to be the opposite around here, but then again, I'm also having problems finding stock throughout the state that isn't already related to mine. The two does that I picked up a few months ago are smaller, but some of their background is from out of state. The other part of their background? Well, one was bred out of the brother of my main buck (he's the grandfather), oh, and the other is my buck himself(great-grandfather). Oh well, I was interested in trying to start my own line anywho, guess I just lucked out by getting to skip a few generations ahead...

 

[Blossomacres]

I don't know if the size is an issue throughout the US or not but I know that the French Angoras in Mi typically range from 7.5-9 lbs. This is obviously within weight range, but I try to get larger just because they can be shown sooner, have bigger fleeces, etc. Mine are well within the weight range but I do like bigger bunnies Larger stock can be found but it takes quite a bit of digging and costs more...

Yes, Colorado is quite a distance from us, but perhaps if I ever head that way...

I also am not that crazy about the dwarf breeds. Every breed has a purpose - I know - but I have always been attracted to the larger breeds. I raise French Angoras, New Zealand Reds, and Satins. My sister on the other hand does not like larger breeds and thinks I am crazy for liking them, lol! She raises Lionheads and Netherland Dwarf rabbits.

 

[Frecs]

I've wanted to travel around southern Colorado to explore some of the areas my ancestors settled. But, not sure if or when that will ever happen.

I like big rabbits and I really love "dual purpose" rabbits. I'm not about showing so having rabbits bigger than what is acceptable on the table doesn't bother me. But, I also understand your desire to be able to sell to the show market -- I'm working on that with my Silver Foxes as well and for the same reasons you mention.