As an English angora breeder who had to choose between all of them at some point I can agree, I turned the French down knowing how much feed it takes in comparison and wool quality at the shows I've been too. I think your observation on this topic is spot on.
This video helped me so much! Thank you. I have been wanting Angora rabbits for a long time and I am getting ready to invest time and money into a couple. I had been looking at English Angora, because I am in search of that "buttery soft" wool. I really liked that the French Angora doesn't have the wooly face, but was turned off by the guard hairs. I appreciate your honest evaluation as it confirmed what I already suspected would be a better fit for my needs.
I’m so glad it was helpful! I started out with English, and they have wonderful wool, but if you’re looking for more than a high maintenance pet with a side benefit I highly recommend you look into Germans or Giants. English must be brushed every day and produce less than half the useable wool of a German or Giant. They also have a lot of attitude, though they’re generally sweet. Just a lot more difficult to work with than Germans or Giants in my experience.
Yes, thank you for your honesty like what was said above- maybe there are some french who produce less and more gentle guard hairs? But I'm just starting out with German, so I'm glad to hear your take on that and your present direction ;)
Thank you so much for this video. I’m considering adding a fiber rabbit to my homestead and it’s hard to find good, reliable information about the different breed and types.
Thank you once again for what you have shared. My favorite has to be the English Angora ,then the German/ English cross. Their fiber is very soft and beautiful. I have brought some French Angora fiber from the States from different breeders, ( we don't have French Angoras in New Zealand and I wanted to try it.) Some of it was very soft with hardly any guard hairs and what was there,was not really like a guard hair. Just so beautiful to use. Other French fiber was webby and had a second cuts through it as well as barbed wire type guard hairs, like, really unpleasant to touch. They stuck up and out and there were thousands of them.( That has been ditched, as it cannot be used) Just a waste of 💰 I like your honesty and transparency. And in breeding 🐇 and then selling their products, this is vitally needed. I will not be buying any more French Angora fiber from the States, unless it's from reputable people who have already supplied me. But overall I have had some delightful experiences with French Angora Fiber. Keep on sharing please. I look forward to your videos.
Thank YOU for sharing too! Yes I’ve heard some people have lines with very little guard hair- but that is frowned upon by the ARBA and show judges so the direction of the breed is not in the favor of us fiber artists! I understand there are many ways to make it workable- blending for instance, but in the US French are touted as THE breed to get first, and it upsets me because I feel people will be discouraged once they get to a finished product- in general. I’ve had French rabbits from 5 or 6 top US lines so even though there are exceptions to the rule- I still feel that the vast majority of French fiber isn’t suitable for 100% Angora clothing- which is exactly what I want to produce.
Agree with everything you said. I have pretty much the same story. Started out with french and had all the other angora breeds, and now I only have germans, because of the quality and quantity of wool, and their amazing personalities. My french also had layers of coat, which was not my favorite thing, I like the single length of the Germans coats much better.
What's the friendliest most handable angora rabbit? I got a holland lop and he was very skittish and still doesn't like pets as much lol and no way I can ever hold him 😅
Oh goodness- I used to have a holland and I feel your pain! The gentlest Angora rabbit is the German in my opinion, but any of the 5 Angora breeds will be WAY more handleable than a holland. Angoras are bred to be handled! Also factor in how much time you’re willing to devote to grooming and how much equipment you can invest in
Wonderful video! We have been raising alpaca for many years. I am considering adding angora rabbits to our homestead to produce an alpaca/angora blend. My question is about French angora as this was the rabbit (I thought) I had decided on. Do you shear your French angoras or do you pluck them? Would plucking produce less guard hairs?
I have plucked and sheared. In a blend it probably will go better. There won’t be less guard hairs, but shearing puts a blunt end on them and makes them pokier. If you want French than go for it! You’ll find what works for you
Hi Alyssa, I'm a fiber artist/spinner and have decided to get an angora rabbit for fiber and a pet. I've been researching which breed to get, and this video has helped me so much. I've decided to get a German...I can't find your website to inquire about availability. How might I contact you about this?? Thanks! -Michelle
The babies are called kits - and no, they don’t have larger litters. In my experience they’re a bit fragile, but that’s ok because they’re well worth it!
Do you pluck the German Angora's like the French? I don't remember. It has been over 20 years since I had Angoras. I'm getting back into rabbits again, so hoping to find breeders in Northern California.
Perfect explanation! I am super sensitive, and feel this will be the case at our farm as well. 😐
As an English angora breeder who had to choose between all of them at some point I can agree, I turned the French down knowing how much feed it takes in comparison and wool quality at the shows I've been too. I think your observation on this topic is spot on.
Thanks for the support! English are QUITE feed efficient ❤️
This video helped me so much! Thank you. I have been wanting Angora rabbits for a long time and I am getting ready to invest time and money into a couple. I had been looking at English Angora, because I am in search of that "buttery soft" wool. I really liked that the French Angora doesn't have the wooly face, but was turned off by the guard hairs. I appreciate your honest evaluation as it confirmed what I already suspected would be a better fit for my needs.
I’m so glad it was helpful! I started out with English, and they have wonderful wool, but if you’re looking for more than a high maintenance pet with a side benefit I highly recommend you look into Germans or Giants. English must be brushed every day and produce less than half the useable wool of a German or Giant. They also have a lot of attitude, though they’re generally sweet. Just a lot more difficult to work with than Germans or Giants in my experience.
Yes, thank you for your honesty like what was said above- maybe there are some french who produce less and more gentle guard hairs? But I'm just starting out with German, so I'm glad to hear your take on that and your present direction ;)
Thank you so much for this video. I’m considering adding a fiber rabbit to my homestead and it’s hard to find good, reliable information about the different breed and types.
Awww thank you McKaela for thanking me!! I’m so happy I could help you out- it’s very motivating for me to continue
As pets, which angora breed would your recommend the most? French looks very attractive because of their easier hair maintenance.
Thank you once again for what you have shared.
My favorite has to be the English Angora ,then the German/ English cross.
Their fiber is very soft and beautiful.
I have brought some French Angora fiber from the States from different breeders,
( we don't have French Angoras in New Zealand and I wanted to try it.)
Some of it was very soft with hardly any guard hairs and what was there,was not really like a guard hair. Just so beautiful to use.
Other French fiber was webby and had a second cuts through it as well as barbed wire type guard hairs, like, really unpleasant to touch. They stuck up and out and there were thousands of them.( That has been ditched, as it cannot be used)
Just a waste of 💰
I like your honesty and transparency.
And in breeding 🐇 and then selling their products, this is vitally needed.
I will not be buying any more French Angora fiber from the States, unless it's from reputable people who have already supplied me.
But overall I have had some delightful experiences with French Angora Fiber.
Keep on sharing please.
I look forward to your videos.
Thank YOU for sharing too! Yes I’ve heard some people have lines with very little guard hair- but that is frowned upon by the ARBA and show judges so the direction of the breed is not in the favor of us fiber artists! I understand there are many ways to make it workable- blending for instance, but in the US French are touted as THE breed to get first, and it upsets me because I feel people will be discouraged once they get to a finished product- in general. I’ve had French rabbits from 5 or 6 top US lines so even though there are exceptions to the rule- I still feel that the vast majority of French fiber isn’t suitable for 100% Angora clothing- which is exactly what I want to produce.
Agree with everything you said. I have pretty much the same story. Started out with french and had all the other angora breeds, and now I only have germans, because of the quality and quantity of wool, and their amazing personalities. My french also had layers of coat, which was not my favorite thing, I like the single length of the Germans coats much better.
Awesome! So happy to have the support and your personal experience- thank you for sharing!!
Valid decision. I would have to agree with your assessment. Good choice.
Thanks for the support!
What's the friendliest most handable angora rabbit?
I got a holland lop and he was very skittish and still doesn't like pets as much lol and no way I can ever hold him 😅
Oh goodness- I used to have a holland and I feel your pain!
The gentlest Angora rabbit is the German in my opinion, but any of the 5 Angora breeds will be WAY more handleable than a holland. Angoras are bred to be handled! Also factor in how much time you’re willing to devote to grooming and how much equipment you can invest in
Wonderful video! We have been raising alpaca for many years. I am considering adding angora rabbits to our homestead to produce an alpaca/angora blend. My question is about French angora as this was the rabbit (I thought) I had decided on. Do you shear your French angoras or do you pluck them? Would plucking produce less guard hairs?
I have plucked and sheared. In a blend it probably will go better. There won’t be less guard hairs, but shearing puts a blunt end on them and makes them pokier. If you want French than go for it! You’ll find what works for you
Hi Alyssa, I'm a fiber artist/spinner and have decided to get an angora rabbit for fiber and a pet. I've been researching which breed to get, and this video has helped me so much. I've decided to get a German...I can't find your website to inquire about availability. How might I contact you about this?? Thanks! -Michelle
The best way is to DM me on my Instagram @edensangora I do have quite a few upcoming litters and a really nice litter of giants right now too!
Which rabbit has the most wool
Hey Tommy- the German Angora has the most wool in general, but individual bloodlines and care factor in as well
@@edensangora6825 Thank you do they also have a larger kitten liters
The babies are called kits - and no, they don’t have larger litters. In my experience they’re a bit fragile, but that’s ok because they’re well worth it!
such a nice rabbit
honest about economics great!, one breed is better then the other maybe crossbreed french wirh german
I wouldn’t cross a molting and non molting breed, but German/Giant would be cool!
Do you pluck the German Angora's like the French? I don't remember. It has been over 20 years since I had Angoras. I'm getting back into rabbits again, so hoping to find breeders in Northern California.
No, Germans and Giants are not pluckable- and neither are some high quality English lines. French and Satin are the ones that molt.