I am interested in getting started with raising Angora rabbits. I already know they are a lot of work and need to be brushed and you have to watch out for fly strike like with sheep. Are there any good books that give tips for proper grooming etc? Also, what are the best types of brushes or combs? It seems like a cat brush would have too small teeth. Thanks!

-- Rebecca Lovelace (rlovelace@snet.net), September 08, 2001

Answers

Rebecca,one of the best if not the best angora books out there is called completely angora by kilfoyle and samson!they have a sequel out now but it wasnt as in depth as completely was.ebay may have a copy of completely available.The best brush I have found is one walmart used to carry it has short plastic teeth in one side and longer ones on the other side. the short side works great on matts and the long side works great on the long coats.and they were only 2 or 3 dollars. havent seen them in a while but I was smart and bought a few so havent needed a replacement yet.It also works great on my horses mane to.angoras are great enjoy them.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), September 10, 2001.

I agree with Kathy... Completely Angora by Samson & Kilfoyle is the best book on caring for these rabbits. I raised them for a few years. They are sweet-tempered for the most part, and good looking animals if properly cared for. There is no worse job than trying to clean up an Angora rabbit covered in mats and feces. Yuck! :(

What breeds are you looking into? I raised French... their wool seems to tangle a bit less than the finer-wooled English and doesn't need quite as much care. I used a small dog brush (with the metal teeth) to gently brush, and a fine-toothed metal comb... one with rotating teeth is nice... when dealing with the occasiona

-- Toni Rakestraw (dabblmom@aol.com), October 05, 2001.