| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 12:52:19 PM
I am the proud owner of two angora rabbits now! A buck and a doe that I bought at the Mennonite auction this past weekend. They will just be cuddle bunnies, but my question is how do I get all the matted hair off of them? Can I just cut it out with scissors and brush them out real good? They are very gentle sweeties, but you can tell they weren't taken care of. The buck has jagged ears and I think it's from where he was left outside uncovered and got frostbite. So I've been putting antibiotic cream on his ears just to make sure they heal up. But they need to be groomed badly and I'm not sure how to go about it. Any help would be appreciated! Tammy
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 11:49:53 AM
They are the sweetest things ever! I could just hold them all day. They even let my five year old, Gracie hold them. Although they are almost to big for her. I started cutting some of the mats out yesterday and I got them some pears last night. Black oil sunflower seed must be good for everyone! We give those to the goats as well. If I knew I could eat them I would. lol! I'll get them some raisins this weekend. Can you give them apples too? We have five apple trees and always have alot more than I can use.
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 07:40:58 AM
I miss my Angora Bunnies. They were the sweetest things.
I fed mine a special diet-- high quality rabbit pellets, black oil sunflower seeds and raisins (you can buy the big bags and mix it all up in a plastic tote- saves a lot of time and money). They also got 1 papaya enzyme pill and a "ribbon" (1 squirt) of Kitty Hairball remedy each day to help prevent "Wool Block," so I never had a problem with that. I also fed them fruit like Grace mentioned-- but not TOO MUCH at once! There's nothing worse than an Angora rabbit with Diarrhea!! (eewww!!!)
And, as Grace said, Angoras require DAILY grooming and nail maintanence. That's where the bunnies lose their enchantment for some people. They no longer become just a sweet pet, they become WORK. If you have the patience and the heart for them, you and your bunnies will have a happy time together! Cograts Tammy... and give Charlie and Lulu a snuggle for me ~~~ Hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 4:02:02 PM
As always, Grace had wonderful advice. I used to have alot of angora rabbits (well, up to 28 at one time) but none now. I love them! Maybe when my kids are grown and done with the mini lop rabbit 4H project I will have some again. Such sweet temperments and lovely fiber too!!! have fun!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 2:35:33 PM
Thanks Grace for the info! We've always had rabbits but never Angoras, so I knew when I went to the auction I wanted some. They are the most gentle rabbits we've ever had and by far the cutest ever. They are both grey and black and I named them Charlie and Lulu. I'll get some pears tonight and start working on the mats this weekend. If I can ever figure out how to post pictures I'll have to show them off to everyone! Tammy
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 2:24:16 PM
congrat's Tammy
I loved all the Angora Rabbits we raised here at the farm and they are such sweet little one's to take care of. I would suggest going slow and cutting out the mat's for now. Once you get all the mat's out you can start to build their trust with daily grooming and care. Once their fiber is back in shape and you keep up with their care you can gentle pull a small mat without them getting upset.
As for the ear issue it also might be that if the male was kept with others they do attack and bite each other and tears happen. Your right about keeping them clean and free of infection.
Two things I find that really help Angora's is if you give them once a week a fourth of a pear - great minerals and keeps hairballs down.
Next, keep on task with their grooming and socialization - you will get wonderful fiber and less stress if you do not put this off.
Good luck and give the two a hug from me. Enjoy!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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