4-H Presentation on French Angoras

Below is the presentation I gave earlier this evening at our monthly 4-H meeting.  You are welcome to use parts of it for your own 4-H presentation.

My presentation is on French angoras. Most people won't even consider French angoras because they think they take too much time. But that is simply not true.

French angoras are the lowest maintenance angora because they have more guard hairs than the other angora breeds. Guard hairs keep their wool from matting easily. French angoras are also larger than satin angoras or English angoras and have a mellower personality. Junior rabbits take about 3-5 minutes per week for grooming. Their baby fiber can be cottony because they haven't grown in their guard hairs. And the ends of their hairs are much finer on a baby coat and mat more easily. Senior rabbits take only 2-3 minutes per week because they have grown in their guard hairs and do not mat very easily.

The most important tools for grooming are the poodle comb and the slicker brush. The poodle comb is good for preventing mats before they begin and for combing out their fiber when they shed their coat. The slicker brush is important for taking out small mats and cleaning out hay and such from the fiber. A blower is only used by people who are showing. It allows you to keep the wool in longer.

French angoras are an ideal homesteading rabbit for several reasons. First is their fiber. Each rabbit grows an average of 16 ounces of fiber per year, and it sells for $5-10 per ounce. French angoras can also be used for meat. Senior French angoras weigh between 7.5 and 10.5 pounds. French angoras also make very sweet pets that you don't have to eat. And finally, their manure is great for gardens.

Angora fiber is eight times warmer than sheep's wool. It is also much softer—it is often used for baby clothing. It is hypoallergenic. It does not have to be washed or carded before spinning. It can even be spun right off rabbit! You can also use a drop spindle to spin it instead of a spinning wheel.

French angoras really are the best rabbits ever. Does anyone have any questions?

Bring:

rabbits

brush and comb

raw fiber

natural color yarn

dyed yarn

drop spindle

mittens

cowl