How to Harvest French Angora Wool

Some of the largest Angora breeds of rabbits, which are bred both for their thick wool and their succulent meat, French Angoras can reach up to 10 pounds in body weight. Because Angora rabbits are low maintenance and produce abundant amounts of thick fiber wool, they make great second-income projects even for those who live in dense urban environments. Keeping the Angora properly groomed is the only thing that can be somewhat challenging as the hair likes to mat if left alone. But once a properly groomed coat is grown out and harvested, Angora wool provides some of the most luxuriant material for making fabrics and clothes.

Things You'll Need

  • Shears or Clippers
  • Paper bag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a rabbit that is at least 5 to 8 months in age and has achieved a thick, rich and well-groomed coat of wool fur. When a fair amount of fur starts to come off the rabbit when you groom it, the fur is ready for harvesting.

    • 2

      Start at the stomach of the rabbit and pull the hair up in clumps with your hand, using the thumb and first two fingers.

    • 3

      Using the shears or clippers, cut the wool off an inch above the skin. Angora rabbits have very loose skin so be careful not to cut into it with the clippers as you shear them.

    • 4

      Place the clumps of wool that you have clipped off into the paper bag. Do not squash or otherwise pack down the Angora wool.

    • 5

      Work from the spot you have started with and move around the stomach until the entire underside has been sheared.

    • 6

      Start shearing the top of the rabbit, working again from a spot in the middle and moving around until the entire top coat has been sheared.

    • 7

      Don't cut the face or ear wool unless it has become matted--then just cut enough to get rid of the mats.

    • 8

      Store the cut wool in paper bags until time for sale or spinning into fiber.