How to Harvest Angora Wool

Angora wool is the fur harvested from angora rabbits. The fur is very soft to the touch and can be up to 8 inches long. Angora rabbits go through a process known as "molting," or blowing their coats, every three to four months. During their molt, the wool becomes loose and falls off easily. Harvesting the angora wool is easiest on the harvester and the rabbit if performed during the molt. You will also get the longest fibers during this time.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 Paper bags
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait for your rabbit to begin molting. The molt will occur between three to four months after the last molt. You will notice more loose fur around the rabbit's cage, and more fur coming loose and sticking to the back of the rabbit.

    • 2

      Lay the rabbit on its side so you can begin harvesting the wool on the legs and belly area first. Start at the top of the belly between the two front legs. Grasp the wool near the skin with your thumb and forefinger and gently pull it away from the skin. Put the wool in one paper bag. Do not try to harvest any matted fur.

    • 3

      Continue plucking the belly area, moving back towards the rear legs. Pluck the two front legs, moving from the top to the bottom. Examine the back legs before you harvest the wool on them. If the wool is clean and not discolored, harvest it by plucking and put it in the same bag as the tummy hair. If it is discolored or dirty, harvest and discard it.

    • 4

      Move to the back and sides of the rabbit. Begin plucking on the back by the head, them move down towards the tail. As you harvest this wool, put it in a second paper bag. The back and side wool is more valuable and usually longer, so bag it separately.

    • 5

      Pluck both sides of the rabbit, moving from the front of the animal towards the tail. Some rabbits will go almost completely bald as you do this, others may have a new coat coming in. Do not try to pull out any fibers that do not come out easily because this may be the rabbit's new coat.

    • 6

      Use sharp, short bladed scissors to cut off any matted fur from the rabbit's body. Make the cuts close to the skin, but be careful not to cut the skin. Angora skin is wrinkly and loose and can easily be caught in your scissors.