Angoras Arrive on 8/23!

We were able to complete the hutch early and I was able to pick up Lily and Princess Pink on Sunday. We decided to move the hutch into the barn. Brett set up the stall for me with an enclosure around the pen, a shelf for tools and chairs for us to sit in.

I spent Friday and Saturday running from feed store to pet store, finding all the supplies I think I needed. Hoppers, water bottle, brushes and combs, hay bale, treats. I researched toys for awhile and found natural willow and natural wood to be a favorite treat. The pet stores wanted 5.00 per toy! I went to Goodwill and found a dozen natural baskets in different sizes for them to chew on and play with. I also found a large basket for one of them to play in. They only had one though. Then I found small wood toy trucks for 88 cents each that they could chew on and roll around. I found baby rattles and links in bright colors. By the time I had picked up the girls, I had a front seat load of goodies for them for around $15.00. I also had made apple branch clusters for them from the apple tree out by the barn and the jute I've been carrying around with me for two years! I picked them up and talked with Cathy and Jim for an hour and half. Then I nervously drove home with my new babies. I carefully placed them in each of their new cages. I had decked out the cages with hay and willow baskets and baby toys. Within 15 minutes of vigerous exploring they were grooming themselves and chewing on apple branches. Brett got home and set right to work on their hutch boxes. By dark, he had two beautiful boxes for them to enjoy. He even painstakingly sanded all the rough edges so their fiber wouldn't snag. He then made a ramp for Lily to get up on top.

The rabbits seemed very happy with their new home. I checked on them constantly just like a new mother. I finally made myself go to bed. Monday, Brett made a ramp for Princess Pink. He had the day off again so he spent the day working on projects around the farm and keeping an eye out on Lily and Princess PInk. They were eating tons of hay and liked the little treats we gave them. I got them out of their cages in the morning and evening to get them used to me. Lily (who I named) was already getting to know her name. They both were already getting to know me by Monday night. They were super easy to get out of the cages and a dream to hold. Tuesday I gave them some lettuce and radishes. Princess chewed on her radish but Lily didn't care for hers. They did eat the lettuce though. I began grooming them Tuesday morning in my lap. They didn't seem to mind the brushing, they actually liked it. After picking up their pellet food from the feed store that Cathy and Jim use, Brett came straight to the barn after work and got to work putting up a wire rabbit fence around the stall to enclose it so the rabbits had a dry playpen during the summer months. He cut boards and secure everything into place.

I got them out and groomed them and let them play in the new pen. Cathy came out and gave more tips on how to pluck Lily. We loaded Cathy up with fresh vegetables on her way home. I spent the evening plucking Lily. She seemed to like it as she lay in my lap, making bunny love noises. The breeder was very happy with our setup and that the rabbits were very happy.

From 8/21

I have decided to start raising Angoras. I have always wanted rabbits. The Angoras appealed to me with their sweet nature and wool producing capabilities. They naturally shed their beautiful fiber. The fiber can be used in a multitude of art including spinning into yarn and knitting.

After a lot of research online I found Satin/German Angora hybrids to be my favorite. I researched the local breeders and came upon a breeder right here in my own town that breeds English and Satin Angoras. One trip to the Beacon Bend Alpaca Farm had Brett and I were hooked! We quickly knew one of the lovely lilac agouti does had to be ours. I then had to make the decision between two hybrids and a show-quality red Satin doe. The red doe was the same color as our cat and Brett and I had been joking to get a red colored rabbit to match our Benny.

We put a deposit on the 3 month old lilac agouti Satin doe that I'd originally went to go look at and went home to decide on which rabbits we'd also purchase to keep the lilac company. I finally made the decision to purchase the red Satin, Princess Pink, due to her sweet disposition and her show quality fiber. I spent the whole night, awake, thinking of names for my new babies and planning the breeding. I called Cathy the next morning after finalizing my decision on the two does.

Brett will be building the hutch in the next week and my does should be home by the weekend after next. I have chosen papered, high quality purebred Satins to start my herd and am ecstatic with the choices. They are both extremely sweet and have amazing fiber.