And Now For Something Completely Different!

      OK... deep breath... count to ten... Now that the drama from the other day seems to have blown over (at least on my end... she's still angry... apparently...), I can turn to more useful, practical, enlightening, important things... 

     Angoras should have constant access to hay- it helps prevent wool block and, some evidence suggests that, because of it's high fiber content (ie. it moves things along), it can help prevent coccidia. 

     However, there are lot of different types of hay out there- all sold in various forms and varying in expense. This post will cover the different types of hay and the various forms in which they come. 

     Most people agree that Timothy or Orchard Grass are healthier than Alfalfa, which is high in fat and protein. I, however, will feed a half Timothy/ half Alfalfa mix in the winter and to pregnant and lactating does. 

     Hay comes in many forms- from tightly compressed blocks to large bails. 

     Most of the time, hay that is sold in big- chain pet stores comes in small bags. This hay is of varying quality but it is almost always more expensive than buying a bale from a local farmer of at a farm supply shop ($5.00 per small bag or $6.00 per bale). If one must buy hay from a big chain store, I recommend Oxbow. 

     One can also buy hay in block form that is compressed and dehydrated from big- chain pet stores. These blocks can be fun for rabbits to chew on and play with- however, they must be removed when (not if) soiled. I have read that, because these little blocks of hay are dehydrated, they encourage more water consumption. Thus, this form of hay may be an option for a rabbit whose fluid consumption- for whatever reason- is less than ideal. 

     Also, these blocks are great for keeping teeth in good shape as they are fairly hard and must be worked at before eaten. Again, they are expensive and must be removed and discarded when soiled. 

     Next, there are compressed bales from chain farm supply shops. This is a much cheaper route to follow than the tiny bags of hay from big chain shops and, for the most part, the quality is better. However, it will rarely be fresh and you will need space to keep the bale after you begin using it (I use a Christmas tree bin). Also, it is most likely old and could be transported from anywhere. 

     One major benefit to using compressed bales from farm supply stores is that there is rarely- if ever- anything else mixed in with the hay. That means that you probably won't have to worry about poisonous plants, etc. in your hay. 

     Last, many farmers sell hay. In my opinion, this is the freshest hay available. It smells and looks wonderful- if you like that sort of thing. My rabbits love local hay and I love helping out local farmers. It's very cheap- compared to the little bags found in pet stores- and lasts for a while. Again, you'll need a place to store it. 

     However, there is one major drawback: things (other than what you want) in your hay. 

     For example, poisonous or noxious weeds. Flowering Dock, for instance- which is high in oxalates. Milk weed, Chicory, and Thistles can also be bad for rabbits because they tend to absorb a high amount of contaminants- especially heavy metals. I am constantly finding and taking "other" plants out of my hay. 

     There are also some odd things- other than plants- that can end up in hay. Such as dead toads. No joke. I once found a smooshed (dead) toad in my hay. Last night I found a crushed up bottle of windshield de- icer (they are getting a call about that)... So, you just never know what you'll find. 

     I have also read that fur mites can also be hiding in hay- depending on where and how the hay was stored. I have not had an issue with this so I can't speak to it; rather it's just something I read. 

     In any case, your angora needs hay- at all times... As always, do your own research, draw your own conclusions, and do the best you can! 

One thing that responsible rabbit breeding and raising children have in common is that it is often the case that very difficult decisions must be made.

Sometimes there are no good choices and one must choose the lesser of the two evils.

Sometimes the right decision is apparent but it would be a real sacrifice to make it.

And then there are times when a moral or ethical decision must be made; of course, the right choice is apparent, it is just so hard to make it.

Especially when doing so opens one up to persecution, abuse, and ostracisation. You also know, that by making it, you will likely anger someone- even if you don't mean to.

I am writing this post because I recently had to make such a decision. It was one of those times when I was caught between opening my mouth to, perhaps, prevent irresponsible breeding/ rabbit misery and doing nothing and being none the worse for it.

I have always said that my desire to make friends must never supercede my love for angoras. Over the past few days, I have had to put action to my words- and it has been tough.

When in doubt, I always tell myself, ask questions. Investigate. Do everything possible to do what is right.

I have also learned that, when it comes to angora breeding, my deepest fears always usually come to fruition and my concerns are almost always justified. In any case, I have learned to be as blunt as possible.

Maybe I am paranoid. Maybe I take responsible breeding and husbandry too seriously. After all, I’m the only person in my area who seems to give a s***.

In short, I confronted- via email- someone in my area that appeared to be opening a rabbit mill. I had my reasons to suspect it, and, the more I learned, the stronger my suspicion. I also contacted the breeder from whom the breeding pair was procured.

At the very least the person in question appeared clueless about a good many things pertaining to angora care.

I tried to choose my words well; I used words like “appeared” because I didn’t want to outright accuse.

I also used words like “present” when speaking about my feelings for her and the situation- leaving room open for change in the future.

I also attempted to give advice.

I won’t lie, the email said what I believed needed to be said. I didn’t mince words but I also tried to be as gentle as possible; I even apologized should I come off as being harsh. I explained where I was coming from and what my fears were…

I didn’t expect a happy response but I certainly didn’t expect the response I got.

I have never- in my entire life- been treated so terribly. I have never been called such terrible names and spoken to in such a disrespectful way.

I am still in shock.
"Nosy?" You betcha! I am nosy when it comes to the way rabbits are treated. I look out for my fellow responsible breeders and expect them to be nosy when it comes to the welfare of any rabbits from my rabbitry.
"Know it all?" Not quite; in fact, I am sad about how little I know. I simply believe that, if you are an angora breeder, there are some things that you should know.
"Idiot?" Not according to my last IQ test.
"Trouble maker?" Nope; it's more like I'm a "trouble spotter."
"Self- absorbed?" Hm. My level of self- confidence and esteem is as low as my IQ is high. Moreover, I don't have time to be self- absorbed.
"Money hungry?" Yes; that's exactly why I am looking for a job in order to keep my rabbit hobby afloat! No, I just know what my rabbits are worth an I won't insult them, my customers, or myself for selling them for less. I'd rather keep a rabbit than sell it for less than he's worth- that's how money hungry I am.
What really perplexed me was the accusation that I "always want something." I don't get this one. I suppose it's true. I want a Kromski Minstrel; that's something. I also want a Leclerc Dorothy table loom; that's something, too. I want my kids to be able to afford college, does that count?
The best part was the threat of filing a police report for "harassment" after she sent me FOUR emails in the span of a few hours and I sent... drum role... NONE! LOL to the tenth power!

I am very concerned that she will soon ruin my reputation (and thus business) as a result of this. I have never felt more disenchanted with rabbit breeding in my life and feel ready to hand in the towel. I can’t win.

The punchline: after expressing anger at being “accused” of running a rabbit mill and insistence that she wasn’t… a line from her website reads “we always have kits available.”

$35.00 Angora Rabbits- At Whose Expense?

Today I saw “woolers” listed for sale on an online group for $35.00 per rabbit. I just about fainted.

Pricing is a sticky subject; on the one hand, people who love rabbits breed rabbits because they love rabbits. On the other hand, people who love the rabbits they breed spend the amount of time equivalent to working a ¾ time job- and spend the same amount of money that they would have made working a ¾ time job in order to breed the rabbits they love; it’s a catch 22.

No one who loves rabbits and breeds them wants to sound greedy; doing so makes one sound exploitive or that one is in it for the wrong reasons.

However, breeding and caring for rabbits in a responsible way is a job and, at least in the US, everyone who works is entitled to just compensation.

My mom was a teacher. She loved teaching and put everything of herself into her students and career- yet she still expected to be paid- who wouldn’t?

Would anyone accuse a teacher for being in it (teaching) for the wrong reasons because she brings home a paycheck?

The truth is that it is crazy to expect anyone to work for free.

Also, it isn’t cheap to breed and care for rabbits; there is the high- quality hay and pellets, medicine, vet bills, cages… How is it wrong to expect to break even?

Rabbit breeders provide a service; they put time, thought, research and effort into breeding so that rabbit lovers can reap the benefits of a well- bred rabbit. They feed, shelter and care for the rabbits that other people buy and enjoy. Rabbit breeders are on call 24/ 7- if a rabbit needs assistance at night, we’re on it.

Why should the service we provide be free?

Another thing to consider is that Angora ownership is a luxury rather than a necessity. Angoras are luxurious animals that produce top- notch fiber- expensive fiber! Shouldn’t the value of Angora wool have some effect on the price of Angoras?

After all, Angora rabbits are gifts that keep giving in the form of wool- throughout their entire life. Isn’t this worth something?

If I charge very little for my rabbits and can’t break even, I either must change my standards of care or go broke. Thus, if Angora lovers want Angoras that receive top- notch care, they ought to be willing to pay for it. It’s that simple.

Furthermore, my rabbits- even my “woolers” (the rabbits that are only good for producing wool) are worth what they are worth. Depreciating their value to undercut competition or make a sale does them an injustice. People willing to pay more do so because they understand the true worth of a well- bred rabbit- wooler or pedigreed.

Last, I have no idea what to think about breeders who charge $35.00 for an Angora rabbit. I’m still flabbergasted.

If the rabbit produces a low volume of low- quality wool, fine then; he might as well be priced at the going rate of any other non- Angora.

However, to ask so little for a rabbit that performs a function well- the function he and his Angora kin are meant to perform- is simply wrong.

Not only does it do the rabbit injustice but, in addition, I have to wonder if the worth placed on his existence will be reflected in the care he receives once he is sold?

Experience dictates that people care for things better if they pay more for them.

Moreover, a breeder who sells rabbits at such a low price does so at the peril of his fellow breeders; he does them a huge injustice. He spits on the time, effort, research, and capital invested by the rest of us.