Libertyangora's fiber rabbit journal

[Hens and Roos]

I'm going from 13% protein to 16% protein and I'm wondering if I have to worry about going straight to 16% protein without mixing them to introduce the higher protein slowly.

the breeder that I got them from said she just feeds them whatever she can find at the feed store.

it might be best if slowly decrease the 13% and increase the 16% over a week or so, that way you give them a chance to adjust and hopefully prevent problems.

are you feeding them a wool formula feed?

 

[Libertyangora]

Okay I'll try that. Thanks for the info!
I am not feeding them a wool formula blend just normal rabbit pellets, the breeder to my knowledge doesn't either.

Is there somewhere online where I can order it? I'm still trying to find the right feed for them.

 

[Libertyangora]

I think I'm going to try to sell some fiber at a craft show this weekend, though I still have to weigh it and put in in small plastic baggies. I don't think I'm going to be able to sell any of it, but just having in the show will hopefully get my name out there so people know who I am.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Okay I'll try that. Thanks for the info!
I am not feeding them a wool formula blend just normal rabbit pellets, the breeder to my knowledge doesn't either.

Is there somewhere online where I can order it? I'm still trying to find the right feed for them.

the only wool formula pellets we can find local by us is made by Heinholds- you can see if they sell it locally by you, their website has the ability to search for a dealer. These pellets help prevent wool block in the rabbits. papaya can also be used, but I don't know how much or how often they would need that.

 

[Libertyangora]

Ok thanks! I've read a bit about using papaya tablets, and I think you just give them a tablet a day everyday although it might be a tablet once a week. i just skimmed through the article I saw it on.

I will look on their website, although I've never heard of it so I don't think we have anyone that sells it around us but who knows!

 

[Libertyangora]

Got on Heinholds website and I didn't see any dealers in OH.

I will probably just read more on giving them papaya tablets. But thanks anyways!

 

[Roving Jacobs]

I give my french angoras papaya tablets daily when they're starting to lose their coats and sometimes dried or fresh papaya. I also feed Blue Seal Show Hutch Deluxe rabbit food which has high fiber and papaya in it which seems to help. I haven't had any signs of wool block since I started feeding it, but I also got a high velocity blower and started blowing them out regularly since then too so who knows.

Your tort is adorable! I have a litter due next week that I'm hoping will have a tort or blue tort in it

 

[Libertyangora]

Tomorrow is grocery day so I will be going to a local health food store to get some papaya.

I've been thinking about getting a blower although I'm thinking about just using a blow dryer with the heat element taken out but I don't know if it'll blow hard enough?

P.S thanks! Good luck! hope you get the colors you want!

 

[Hens and Roos]

we picked up a hair dryer with a cold setting and that seems to work pretty well for us.

@Roving Jacobs, with the up coming kits, hope you get the colors you want!

 

[Roving Jacobs]

For a while I used a shop vac with a blow setting but now that I have it I love my high velocity blower! All the little mats go right to the tip where I can pluck them out and I have a lot fewer signs of the buns starting to block up when I do it once a week. It's also great when my dog starts shedding like crazy!