As most of you know, I raise rabbits. A guy in the KC area got our phone number and called to see if we would be interested in taking their "pet" rabbit that he'd gotten for his daughter, and she wasn't interested in, and wasn't taking care of. We said we'd be glad to - can't stand to see an animal that isn't being taken care of!!! So, my DH just went up to the city and brought the rabbit back home. I think he's a Jersey Wooley, but I've never seen one before-I raise meat rabbits! It's a mini-rabbit, and looks just like a black and white Jersey Wooley that I saw a picture of on the internet, except that he holds his ears down when he's resting, and he perks them up when he gets agitated or interested in something. He has long fur with is horribly matted, and he is pretty skinny.

So, what do I do with this poor little guy? I'm not sure how to go about getting the mats out of his hair. They are really bad, I'm sure they won't brush out - and I don't think he'd stand still for a brushing anyway. What's the best way to groom him? I'm putting him on good quality 18% protein rabbit pellets, and alfalfa/grass hay, so hopefully he'll get some meat on his bones soon.

Any advice or help you can give would be greatly appreciated. I'm just not too familiar with the pet breeds. I imagine we'll get him cleaned up and filled out a little, and then try to find him a new home.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), May 07, 2002

Answers

Might look at the info. on this site: Rabbit Grooming, http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/grooming_hot_tips.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

First thing I would do is put him on pinnapple juice for two or three days [ frozen not canned juice, made up with water].That will get rid of any hair in his tummy.second thing is get a pair of blunt nosed scissors[bandage scissors work well]and cut off all of his hair[ hopefully its warm were you are, mulch rabbit with hay or wait until weather is ok to do this]. The matts will be gone and if you brush him well two or three times a week afterwood the hair will grow back nice and he will look good in about two months.When triming a rabbit just keep in mind the shape of the rabbit when triming and be carefull around neck and sides as skin is loose there and easyer to cut. If you are nervous just pull hair out put a lock of hair between your fingers and cut , this way you cant cut rabbit. This is easyer with two people.If you grab rabbits ears and push them against body they stay still more.It is nice of you to do this for the rabbit. In the future, if you keep him save his wool and you could spin it.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), May 07, 2002.

Cheryl, sometimes saturating the mats with creme rinse and rubbing it in gently and then teasing the mats out with your fingers will work. Depends on the coat type. And then shampoo of course. Good luck, sounds like a real problem! LQ

-- Little Quacker in OR (carouselxing@juno.com), May 07, 2002.

The dwarf rabbits only really need 16% (since I raise meat rabbits also I go ahead and feed the 18%) and 1/2 cup a day. I will put a rabbit in my lay with a towel between me and the rabbit and just begin trimming and cutting the matts away.

As mentioned about the wool block (fur in tummy) feed either alfalfa or all the parsley you want to clean out his system. Usually a handful of alfalfa a couple of times a month is all that is needed.

Other then that they are treated just like you meat breeds.

Jersey Wooly's weigh less then 3 pounds and ears are small 2 inches long. If you need pictures I will be happy to email them to you.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

I raise Angora rabbits and have had one or two Jersey woolies as well. Many of the suggestions made are good, but I would add that instead of pineapple juice, buy a cheap bottle of papaya tablets, break a couple of them up in with pellets over a few days time. I actually use the Purina show rabbit feed which contains papaya within. It would not be practical for you to buy that for one rabbit, so a bottle of papaya tablets should help you get by. I used to give my rabbits a tablet a week. None of my rabbits would eat pineapple or pineapple juice. Also, oatmeal is a really good supplement for keeping things moving. Obviously hay is good as well, but you need to recognize that when you take on an exotic breed such as a long wooled rabbit, it requires a little more attention. JW's are really neat little critters. If you need any more info, e-mail me directly and I'll be happy to answer if I can.

-- Laura in Pa (lbaumgardner@blazenet.net), May 09, 2002.

Personally, I think Jersey Wooleys have the best temperament of all the rabbits I have had acquaintance with so far. They are so sweet and gentle, you will have no problem finding a home for him, if you don't fall in love with him yourself first!

-- Sandie now in MA (thompson@greatpoint.net), May 12, 2002.