To produce high-quality textiles, felt, knitted products, along with angora, cashmere and alpaca wool, humanity also uses the wool of downy rabbits. They produce thin long fluff, have virtually no guard hairs and have an attractive appearance, which is why they are bred not only for industrial purposes, but also for decorative purposes.
Features of the direction
Those fluffy bunnies that we are accustomed to did not exist in nature. All currently grown breeds were obtained through long-term multi-stage selection.Animals were selected based on productivity, quality, length and softness of down, precocity and other important indicators. Breeding downy rabbits is difficult, since they require careful care, proper feeding, special living conditions, and monitoring the condition of their fur. At the moment, the main rabbit farms for the production of valuable fluff are located in a number of Western European countries and in China.
Males are involved in breeding for down, but the products themselves are collected only from females, since the down fibers of males are thicker and stiffer. Females provide warm, soft and light material.
Popular breeds of downy rabbits
The following breeds of downy rabbits are currently being actively bred:
- Angora rabbit. This is one of the oldest breeds, obtained from ancestors brought from Turkey in the 18th century. Initially, such animals served as pets for the nobility, and only almost two centuries later they began to be used in industrial breeding. This breed has a peculiarity: it can be used not only as a down breed, but also as a meat breed and a decorative dog. Body weight – up to 4 kilograms, fluff length – up to 25 centimeters. Animals are famous for their flexible and good-natured nature. At the moment, there are several varieties of Angora rabbits:
- English Angora;
- French Angora rabbit;
- German Angora rabbit;
- angora giant;
- dwarf angora rabbit.
- White downy rabbit. This breed was bred in the Soviet Union on the basis of Angora rabbits and the basic local sires - the white giant and the silver rabbit. It began to be considered a full-fledged breed in 1957.As a result of crossing, large, strong animals with a massive build, rounded head, and straight ears were obtained. Weight reaches 4.5 kilograms, the color of purebred specimens is pure white, while hybrids can be white, gray, blue, or black. White downy rabbits have red eyes, while others have dark colored eyes.
Representatives of the white down breed produce from 300 to 500 grams of the finest warm down per year, and the best examples - from 750 grams to 1 kilogram. To obtain high-quality products, animals must be provided with excellent living conditions and adequate nutrition.
Rules of maintenance and care
For downy rabbits, hygiene and balanced food are of greatest importance. Since animals have long, thin hair, they must live in clean, frequently cleaned, ventilated areas, in a dry and warm place, without drafts or dampness.
These rabbits produce valuable down, so it is best to keep them in cages. This way they will not be able to harm each other, and the coat will remain in perfect condition. Young animals are kept 3-4 in one cage, adult downy rabbits are kept alone. The floors in the cages are mesh or slatted to remove waste. In cold weather, straw bedding is used, since other types of covering, such as shavings or sawdust, get clogged into the wool, spoil the fluff, and cause tangles.
Downy rabbits are fed and watered in the same way as representatives of other breeds. The menu includes feed, vegetables, fruits, fresh grass, hay, tree branches and foliage, mineral supplements and vitamins. The presence of clean drinking water is mandatory.In order for rabbits to produce fluff of excellent quality, their nutrition must be balanced and complete.
How to choose a good rabbit
When choosing a manufacturer, they focus on purebred. To do this, the purchase is made from a professional who breeds the breed strictly according to the standard. Quality is confirmed by documents and a veterinary passport.
It is also undesirable to purchase decorative pets from someone else. It is better to do this from breeders or in specialized rabbit breeding clubs, where the pet will also receive a passport and vaccinations to ensure health and absence of diseases. When choosing, they are guided by the behavior and appearance of the rabbit. He should be active, but not aggressive, clean, with a shiny, glossy coat without tangles or parasites, and clear eyes. The absence of odors and discharge is important.
A healthy pet is calm and does not refuse water and food. He has no signs of disease or external defects.
Collection and storage of fluff
The following methods are used to obtain products:
- A haircut.
- Plucking.
- Combing.
The first time we receive fluff is from two months rabbits by shearing, then they cut it twice more - at 4.5 months and at six months. After this, the animals are plucked once a month. In cold weather this is done carefully so that the rabbits do not freeze.
Down is not taken from recently bred or pregnant females or sick animals. The procedure is carried out delicately, without scaring the rabbits. When handled correctly, it does not cause any pain or discomfort. Against. Proper removal of fluff stimulates dormant follicles, and new hairs grow quickly. Mature fluff is separated effortlessly and without blood.
A haircut allows you to get more fluff at a time. In the removed mass of wool, both coarser guard hairs and short undercoat remain.This negatively affects the quality of the product.
Combing is labor-intensive and involves stress for the rabbit itself and a risk of injury for humans. It is not used on farms, but it is vital for decorative fluffies. Downy bunnies are cute and useful animals that provide light and warm material for making clothing and also serve as pets.
