How to Raise Angora Rabbits for More Wool and High Yield? A Detailed Guide to Breeding Techniques

Techniques for increasing wool yield in Angora rabbits are an important part of rabbit farming. Based on the combined practical experience of rabbit raisers in various regions, the techniques for increasing wool in Angora rabbits are described below:

1. Scientific feeding. Angora rabbits are somewhat selective about feed. For example, they prefer leafy feed and sweet-tasting feed, and are especially fond of carrots and sulfur-containing feed. Where conditions permit, adding a small amount of sugar, earthworm powder, or vegetable oil to the daily ration can further improve palatability. Some sulfur-containing amino acids, such as methionine and cystine, can also be added to the feed. In addition, feed more green fodder rich in vitamin A, such as Chinese milk vetch, carrots, and gramineous forage grasses, to ensure the nutrients needed for rabbit wool growth and promote wool production. Supplementing with zinc sulfate can also promote more wool production in rabbits. According to relevant data, rabbit wool contains 4.2% sulfur, which is much higher than the sulfur content of general proteins. It can be seen that feeding ordinary feed is far from enough to meet the sulfur demand of Angora rabbits for wool growth. Supplementing with zinc sulfate can not only ease this contradiction, but the trace element zinc in zinc sulfate can also directly participate in the synthesis of growth hormones in plants and animals, thereby promoting growth.

2. Medicated baths to promote growth. Medicated baths can speed up rabbit wool growth, increase wool yield by more than 20%, and make the rabbit wool white and bright, loose and less likely to tangle. At the same time, they can prevent and control the occurrence of sarcoptic mange and reduce other skin diseases. Preparation method of the bath solution: use 150-200 g of trichlorfon powder, add 50 kg of water, and prepare a 0.3%-0.5% trichlorfon solution. Then add 150 g of sulfur powder, stir evenly until dissolved, and use for bathing. Alternatively, use 100 g each of hibiscus bark and sophora root, add 2.5 kg of water, decoct, pour off the liquid and remove the residue, then add 100 g of sulfur powder and 5 kg of boiling water, stir well, wait until warm, and use for bathing. This amount is enough for bathing 20 Angora rabbits. Bathing method: within 10 days after shearing, carry out the bath in warm weather conditions. Do not frighten the rabbits. Let the rabbits eat their fill before bathing. When bathing, grasp the rabbit's ears with one hand and place it into the basin so that the whole body except the head is immersed in the bath solution. Use the other hand to wash and brush the rabbit's whole body from bottom to top, and finally wash and brush the head and the base of the ears. Rabbits already suffering from sarcoptic mange should be bathed separately.

3. Raise more female rabbits. For the same breed, the wool yield of female rabbits is about 30% higher than that of male rabbits, and the wool quality is also better than that of male rabbits. Therefore, when breeding young rabbits, separate or remove the male rabbits within 10 days so that the young female rabbits can eat their fill, which helps them develop quickly and have fewer diseases.

4. Reasonable wool harvesting. The method and technique of wool harvesting are directly related to the yield and quality of rabbit wool. The wool harvesting technique should be mastered skillfully to help Angora rabbits stay strong and promote wool growth, thereby improving the yield and quality of rabbit wool.

5. Post-harvest management

1. Add an appropriate amount of mineral trace element additives such as copper and zinc to the feed. This can promote epidermal cell growth and also increase the crimp, toughness, and elasticity of rabbit wool.

2. After shearing, use old ginger slices dipped in 60-degree baijiu to wipe the rabbit's whole body, but do not wipe the mouth, nose, or eyes. In this way, after 5 days the rabbit's body will be covered with fine wool, and it will be relatively even.

3. Each rabbit can be additionally fed 5-6 g of fresh Chinese chives, and soaked soybeans (soy) can be fed at 7-8 grains per rabbit per day. This can make the rabbit wool grow quickly, increase the coat, and make the wool color glossy.

4. Comb the wool with a comb about once every three days to promote skin blood circulation and hair follicle cell vitality, stimulate the skin layer and speed up metabolism, accelerate rabbit wool growth, and help improve wool quality.

5. Appropriately increasing the rabbits' light exposure time can also improve the yield and quality of rabbit wool.

6. After shearing, inject 250 mL of vitamin B into the gluteal muscle, which has an obvious wool-promoting effect and generally allows shearing about 10 days earlier.