Those dreaded two words. I just cringe when I hear them. The bane of angora breeders everywhere, and all rabbits really.
It is a tightrope act we play as we try to keep those coats longer and longer on the rabbit, aiming for 5, 6 months maybe more. Knowing that the molting process has begun, the coat is starting to slip, but we still try to maintain them. The rabbit is grooming itself even more and the fiber becomes loose and ends up in their little stomachs creating a larger and harder mass. Then they stop eating. Now begins the process of medicating and trying to move the mass out. Finally we realize what is going on and remove the problem by clipping or plucking that long beautiful coat.
By then, the rabbit is miserable, maybe in pain. They may also have started to lose weight.
In no time at all, they become dehydrated and underweight, as they continue to refuse food the body fat is burned first and then the muscle mass and eventually death. Even though the process seems to go quickly, the poor creatures are literally starving to death. Wool block is not fussy, it will strike your Grand Champion as well as your wooler or pet.
There are many opinions on how best to treat this problem and just as many, if not more, suggestions on preventative measures. Rabbits are very diverse, and what may work for one, may not necessarily be the best option for another. We have tried many recipes, and treatments over the years, and can honestly say that our losses to wool block are now nil.
On a much happier note. Our satin angora doe: Maple Glens Geo (red doe) has kindled two lovely white satin babies, 1 buck and 1 doe. The sire of this lovely pair is Stryder, (white buck) from Schoonover farms. When I figure out how to add pictures to this blog, I will post them. They were born Jan 5/09.
On Jan 3, friends Julie Martin and Shannon Carter attended the show in Rochester, N.Y. Unfortunatly I was unable to attend due to work commitments, but they very generously offered to take my rabbits with them. I must say for all their hard work in getting my rabbits on the show table this is the result: Maple Glens Rogue, a red satin angora doe, won BOV in the Angora specialty show, and has now aquired her first senior and GC leg. Thank you so much Julie and Shannon, I appreciate your efforts. Congratulations Julie with your champagne bunny winning BOB.
Here is a picture of Rogue, looking her best. More later.
