I just noticed that kathleen asked about keeping the bunns
outside....definitely a go in my opinion....I have an outdoor
rabbitry and the bunnies thrive. In fact, they would much prefer to
be out in the  fresh air, however, they also don't know when to come
in outta the rain, so you have to provide shelter to keep the fibers
from getting ruined, cuz the hair does grow all winter long, thru
rain or sleet or falling snow! We get alot of wind up here on the
hill, so I usually use plastic on the sides of my pens during the
really cold months to keep the wind and snow off too. I did break
down and put up a little building, I'm havin fun decorating it with
pumpkins and wreaths and such. Planted flowers out around it and
everything......but the darn chickens won't leave em alone. I thot
they didn't eat flowers??? mine luv to dig up my mums.....any
hoo....sheared my favorite bunny today janet, wanted totell ya that
pepper is 9 pounds.....after shearing, got at least 4 oz of usuable
fiber, even with that bald spot on her back, actually, wasn't bald
anymore but still looked funny next to the 5 inch fibers to have a
spot that was only a couple of inches long.....but it was all so
beautiful, hardly any scruff stuff till I got to the feet.....yummy!
geez.....this message is way too long, catch ya later

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, "Kim Gay" <kimg1@e...> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> I just joined a few days ago, and am just getting a chance to say
hi.  :)
> >>>****waving at everyone***>>>>
> Have a great day!
> Kim
>           Kim Gay


Hi Kim!  >>>>waving back<<<<<<

Janet

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, April Dulock <aprilo64@y...>
wrote:
> Hey! I just found a yahoo group-
> TravelWithRonK@yahoogroups.com  This man apparently
> drives all over the country delivering sheep and goats
> but will also deliver cats, dogs and rabbits.  I am
> not sure how much it costs yet, but this might be a
> viable option for those of us who have no breeders in
> our state or even our neighboring states like me:-)
> april

What a great service! Thanks!

Janet

          Kim Gay
www.wooliecreations.com

• Handcrafted Soaps
• Beautiful French, Satin, German & Giant Angora Rabbits
• Colored Angora Goats & Mohair 
• Custom Signs & Designs - One stop shop for all your sign needs!
• Web Page Design for reasonable prices

Hey! I just found a yahoo group-
TravelWithRonK@yahoogroups.com  This man apparently
drives all over the country delivering sheep and goats
but will also deliver cats, dogs and rabbits.  I am
not sure how much it costs yet, but this might be a
viable option for those of us who have no breeders in
our state or even our neighboring states like me:-)
april

__________________________________
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Thank you for the information.  I have written a couple of the "local"
groups (short drive distance) and hope that they can give me iinformation on
someone local that raises angorar here.  Also asked about the weather and
having them outside.  Checking out the options and seeing how things work.

Thanks again,
Kathleen


>From: "Janet Gruber" <jang1108@...>
>
>Here is a link to the NARBC Members page, there are reputable
>breeders in Georgia and Tennesee who could most likely help you out.
>
>http://narbc.tripod.com/memberlinks.htm
>
>Shipping is stressful and expensive, which are the two major reasons
>I've seen given for not shipping. Most of us would rather transport
>our bunns via car, where we can at least control the climate our
>bunns are subjected to.
>
>There is another member of the group, aprilo64 from Texas, who's
>looking for bunns, the two of you might be able to help each other
>out as far as transportation.
>
>Hope this helps!
>
>Janet
>

_________________________________________________________________
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enough? Get Hotmail Extra Storage today!
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--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, "Janet Gruber" <jang1108@e...>
wrote:
> > I am still researching and looking and learning about angora.
Some
> > of things I have been seeing are that Giants seem to be a little
> > friendlier as a breed.  I also know that they are not as
prevalent
> as
> > some of the other breeds.  I live in lower Alabama and if anyone
> > knows a reputable breeder in the general area I would appreciate
it.
> >
> > I have seen that most breeders of any rabbits do not ship.  Is
this
> > because of danger to the animal or the pocket book or something
> else
> > entirely?

Here is a link to the NARBC Members page, there are reputable
breeders in Georgia and Tennesee who could most likely help you out.

http://narbc.tripod.com/memberlinks.htm

Shipping is stressful and expensive, which are the two major reasons
I've seen given for not shipping. Most of us would rather transport
our bunns via car, where we can at least control the climate our
bunns are subjected to.

There is another member of the group, aprilo64 from Texas, who's
looking for bunns, the two of you might be able to help each other
out as far as transportation.

Hope this helps!

Janet

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, "xagira500" <kallie500@h...>
wrote:
> Greetings,
> I am new to the experience of being owned by rabbits.  Have been
> owned by several dogs and a cat but have not had the pleasure of
> rabbits.... yet.  I have gotten into spinning and am looking to
> supply that addiction and to have the fun of another pet around the
> house.  We currently have 4 dogs, a cat, and a tank of fish.  I
know
> that the other pets and rabbits may not mix but we have plans for
> that also.  They will be house rabbits.  I can't stand the idea of
> predators getting to any of my friends, to say nothing of the heat
we
> have here.  All of them are house pets.
>
> I am still researching and looking and learning about angora.  Some
> of things I have been seeing are that Giants seem to be a little
> friendlier as a breed.  I also know that they are not as prevalent
as
> some of the other breeds.  I live in lower Alabama and if anyone
> knows a reputable breeder in the general area I would appreciate it.
>
> I have seen that most breeders of any rabbits do not ship.  Is this
> because of danger to the animal or the pocket book or something
else
> entirely?  One other question, my husband and I are mildly allergic
> to our cat.  I am also allergic to an Akita mix dog that we know
> although I am not apparently allergic to any of our dogs.  Does
> anyone know of a correlation between being allergic to cats and
being
> allergic to rabbits?
>
> Have a great day.
> Kathleen

Hi Kathleen, and welcome!

My bunns are outside, but I live in PA and have a 6' high security
fence around my yard. We usually keep new bunns inside for the first
two weeks, for quarantine and to get them used to us, the 3 dogs and
the 2 cats. I also bring the outside bunns in once a week for
grooming and to let the big ones run around the floor or the
sectional (juniors) for exercise. They don't mind the other animals
at all, in fact they seem to like them.

I don't personally know of any correlation between rabbit and cat
allergies, although if it is the saliva you're allergic to, the bunns
do groom themselves much as cats do, so it could be related. Guess
you'll just have to get one and see what happens. Perhaps if you got
a junior it would not be as severe and you could aclimate to it as it
grows up.?

Janet

Greetings,
I am new to the experience of being owned by rabbits.  Have been
owned by several dogs and a cat but have not had the pleasure of
rabbits.... yet.  I have gotten into spinning and am looking to
supply that addiction and to have the fun of another pet around the
house.  We currently have 4 dogs, a cat, and a tank of fish.  I know
that the other pets and rabbits may not mix but we have plans for
that also.  They will be house rabbits.  I can't stand the idea of
predators getting to any of my friends, to say nothing of the heat we
have here.  All of them are house pets.

I am still researching and looking and learning about angora.  Some
of things I have been seeing are that Giants seem to be a little
friendlier as a breed.  I also know that they are not as prevalent as
some of the other breeds.  I live in lower Alabama and if anyone
knows a reputable breeder in the general area I would appreciate it.

I have seen that most breeders of any rabbits do not ship.  Is this
because of danger to the animal or the pocket book or something else
entirely?  One other question, my husband and I are mildly allergic
to our cat.  I am also allergic to an Akita mix dog that we know
although I am not apparently allergic to any of our dogs.  Does
anyone know of a correlation between being allergic to cats and being
allergic to rabbits?

Have a great day.
Kathleen

Hi everyone,

I am looking to buy some giants and live in Texas.
Don't mind paying for shipping, but having trouble
finding anyone who has any bunnies for sale right now.
Thanks, April

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The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search
http://shopping.yahoo.com

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, Judy Riddle
<fantasylandangoras@y...> wrote:
> Janet,
>
> You are correct in your thoughts on the Giants and  'recommended'
point distribution for the new Standard.   There is entirely too much
emphasis put on length of wool with ALL Angoras!  Length does not
mean its 'good' wool.  I'd much rather have a 4 - 5 inch long DENSE
coat than a thin coat of 10 inches.   Wouldn't you?
>
> As for body - with the last weight increase for the Giants - we
need to make sure we don't let that body slip off at all!   A lot of
Giant breeders are having/have had trouble with making the newest
weights.  Without a good sound well boned body to start with - we
will end up with big problems before too long.
>
> I support this change 100%.... But thats just my opinion
>
> Judy
>

Thanks for the comments, Judy! Yes, I would much rather have 4-5 inch
dense wool - if for no other reason than it's easier to keep clean!
Who wants to spin dirty wool? Nobody! And I'm sure the rabbits prefer
it, too, but of course they can't tell us that.

I'm waiting to see how my juniors work out with respect to weight.
Two of them I have no doubt will be fine, one I'm pretty sure will be
underweight, but she's not really a Giant anyway, and another looks
like she might be borderline - but there's still plenty of time for
that to change. They are 4 and 5 months old, so they have a ways to
go yet...

Janet

I occasionally get out that way when I visit my daughters in
washington.....if yu don't find any by my next visit, I'd be glad to
send a couple your way.......always have extra stock, sorta, truth
is, I hate to get rid of em!

great photos judy, but how come we're not looking at those blacks!
I can see what yur husband meant about wool growth........do yu
never shear, and do yu always just blow the fibers to separate?

Fantasy Land Angoras posted some gorgeous pics! Click on the Photos
link to the left of this message (if you're at the group page) and
check them out. Not only are the rabbits gorgeous, but the special
effects are cool, too!

Janet

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, "gavnomat" <bandb@i...> wrote:
>   Hi,
> I just joined this list because I am looking for some Giant/german
> type angoras in my part of the country  and have been unsuccessful
to
> this point.  I do not want to show them, only to use them for their
> wool, they do not have to be meeting breed standards.  I thought by
> joining this list I might learn more about this breed and where to
> find them,...if that is even possible.  I know they are acceptable
to
> the ARBA but have never seen one at any of the shows in Montana, or
> Minnesota, or Oregon that I have attended.  Granted that was very
> limited coverage for the most part.
>
> Someone mentioned in one of the messages, that they saw some huge
> English Angoras.  I recently, saw the same thing, and was
> flabbergasted as they appeared absoultely huge, but she was showing
> them and they were winning, so they much have fit the breed
standard,
> even though they looked more like 15 lbs plus, they must have been
> mostly wool and had only 6-7 lb bodies.  I used to raise English
> Angoras for years and though I did not show, I thought they were
> pretty good, and they came from well known show lines at that time
> but they were nothing like what I have recently seen.  Just
amazing.
> When talking to the breeder the woman actually told me that their
> fibers had to be 10 inches long nowadays to compete!  I personally,
> don't know how they could grow that long without being matted, but
> these were beatuiful.
>
> Well, keep talking, I hope to learn bunches.
> By the way, do most of your shear with electric clippers?
> Barbara in Montana

Barbara,

I use scissors made for giving babies haircuts. They are sharp, but
have blunt ends. I used to use a pair of Revlon hair-cutting
scissors, but was trying so hard not to cut the rabbit that I wound
up cutting myself! :D  The baby scissors are perfect, IMO, and it
takes me about a half-hour to clip a 6 pound junior with them, about
45 minutes to clip an adult. (The adults are denser, but more
cooperative.)

I sent you a private message with a recommendation for a breeder who
is sort of near you. Hope it helps!

Janet

Hi,
I just joined this list because I am looking for some Giant/german
type angoras in my part of the country  and have been unsuccessful to
this point.  I do not want to show them, only to use them for their
wool, they do not have to be meeting breed standards.  I thought by
joining this list I might learn more about this breed and where to
find them,...if that is even possible.  I know they are acceptable to
the ARBA but have never seen one at any of the shows in Montana, or
Minnesota, or Oregon that I have attended.  Granted that was very
limited coverage for the most part.

Someone mentioned in one of the messages, that they saw some huge
English Angoras.  I recently, saw the same thing, and was
flabbergasted as they appeared absoultely huge, but she was showing
them and they were winning, so they much have fit the breed standard,
even though they looked more like 15 lbs plus, they must have been
mostly wool and had only 6-7 lb bodies.  I used to raise English
Angoras for years and though I did not show, I thought they were
pretty good, and they came from well known show lines at that time
but they were nothing like what I have recently seen.  Just amazing.
When talking to the breeder the woman actually told me that their
fibers had to be 10 inches long nowadays to compete!  I personally,
don't know how they could grow that long without being matted, but
these were beatuiful.

Well, keep talking, I hope to learn bunches.
By the way, do most of your shear with electric clippers?
Barbara in Montana

I hope, if any of us live in California, that you and your bunns are
OK.

In the last NARBC newsletter, we had ballots on several issues. One
of them was regarding changing the points distribution in the
Standard somewhat for Giants. If I remember correctly, the proposal
was to take 10 of the 20 points awarded for length, and add them to
the points for body type. So the standard would now have only 10
points awarded for length of wool, and would increase to 20 points
for body type.

What do you think of this?

I have somewhat mixed feelings, although more positive than negative.
Wool is what sets angoras apart from other breeds, and each other,
for that matter. It should carry the most points, and taking away
from those points might meet with opposition. There are those who
might feel this is turning attention away from wool production and
making the Giant more of a "show animal". But excessive length is not
healthy for the rabbit, IMO, and I feel should be discouraged.

Also, I have read reports from others that you see more "loaf of
bread" and "mandolin" type bodies, reflecting the Giant's German and
Flemish background, than the commercial type that the Standard calls
for. Putting more points in the body category might encourage people
to concentrate more on breeding animals that conform more closely to
the Standard in that department. In other words, people would breed
for the Giant type and make the breed more distinct from the German.
I'm sure that would make many die-hard pure German fanciers happy! ;)

So I mostly support the change. What about you?

Janet

Nov 22nd and 23rd there is an NARBC sanctioned show at Medina, OH. I
don't know yet if they have many Giant Angoras there, but I have
emailed the show sec'y and asked about it.

Medina, OH is accessible from western PA, western NY, W.Va.
panhandle, parts of Canada, eastern Indiana, northern Kentucky, and
of course, most if not all of Ohio.

I plan on attending, it would be great if I got to meet some of you!

Janet

Hi All!

Over in the Links shortcut to the left of this message (on the group
site), I have posted some links to information to help you judge,
cull, and breed your rabbits. Much of it is generic info, some of it
is English Angora info, but I feel all of it is useful.

If any of you have useful information to pass on, please post it. I'm
getting lonely here...  ;)

Thanks!

Janet

--- In giantangoras@yahoogroups.com, "angoramomma" <cferrent@a...>
wrote:
> since I've always sheared or plucked the fibers I'm not really a
> good one to respond to the question, but I wanted to weigh in
> anyway......most of the time the fiber on a young rabbit isn't as
> desirable as the older ones, so wouldn't it be beneficial to get
rid
> of it as soon as possible to let the nice second fibers come in.

I'm with you, I would think this would be the thing to do, but
apparently the judges expect the animals to be in "pristine", as in
uncut, condition.

Any of the more experienced members want to weigh in on this? The
question regards shearing Juniors - if and when do you do it, and why
or why not?

The PSRBA convention will be held in Lebanon, PA next year on Feb
7th. I have sponsored the award for Giant Angoras, so I'd really love
it if some of you would bring some rabbits! I would hate to be the
only one there with Giants!

The Washington County RBA has scheduled a show on March 21, 2004.
They seldom get any angoras at all, so it would be nice to show off
our breed. Some of us are not too far away, so although this is WAY
advance notice, please keep it in mind. :)

Anytime anyone is planning on attending a show, let the rest of us
know, we need competition.

I see angramomma posted some pics of some of her bunns. :D

Check out Heinrich and Pepper - they are Angel's parents. Pepper
looks like a lionhead in that pic, LOL! Too cute!!!!

Over to the left, under Files, I created a folder to post hutch plans
in. If you have a good design, feel free to post it.

I based my hutches on this design, but I improvised a bit, no feeders
between them, and built-in dropped nestboxes in each cage. I also
made the outsides next to the nestboxes solid, to make sure they
could get out of driving wind/rain.

since I've always sheared or plucked the fibers I'm not really a
good one to respond to the question, but I wanted to weigh in
anyway......most of the time the fiber on a young rabbit isn't as
desirable as the older ones, so wouldn't it be beneficial to get rid
of it as soon as possible to let the nice second fibers come in. I
was surprised at the condition of some of the animals at the state
college show......what I thot was some of the entries looked a
little ratty....but the owners seemed to think this was
ok...sooooo....I dunno guys, at leas tthey weren't giants, cuz
janet's were the on;y ones of those there, altho I still say a
couple of those english looked like they coulda been giants....they
were huge  8-)

In case the link I posted of Leslie's article doesn't work for you,
here's the url:

http://iagarb.spinnersflock.com/germangiant.html

And welcome! I know of a few more people who are planning to join, so
far we have a nice mix of experienced GA breedes and newbies like
me. :)

Please promote this group if you can, I think there is a need for
Giant Angora breeders to work together to help each other and to
promote our breed. So far this year I have been to 2 shows to
observe, and a double show I participated in, and I have been the
only person interested in or showing Giants. This is a great breed,
lovable and relatively easy to care for, I think it could really be a
popular breed if we work at it!

So here is my first question for the group:

When do you first shear an animal you're planning on showing? I know
some people shear their juniors around 3 months or so, and don't even
bother showing them until their adult coat has grown in. What seems
to work best for you?

What is the link?  It didn't come through.

pc

At 10:08 AM 10/19/2003 +0000, you wrote:
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>giantangoras-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>There is 1 message in this issue.
>
>Topics in this digest:
>
>       1. The first post
>            From: "jgruber1108" <jang1108@...>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________________
>________________________________________________________________________
>
>Message: 1
>    Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 19:58:42 -0000
>    From: "jgruber1108" <jang1108@...>
>Subject: The first post
>
>So on this auspicious occasion, I decided to post the link for the
>famous "The German and the Giant" article from the IAGARB website in
>the Links section to emphasize that we realise there is a differnce
>between the two breeds, notably the history, breeding, and especially
>the ARBA Standard.
>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________________
>________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

P.C.'s Pets
Pamela Chapman
Angora Rabbits and Silkie Chickens a Specialty
http://www.olypen.com/pcpets

So on this auspicious occasion, I decided to post the link for the
famous "The German and the Giant" article from the IAGARB website in
the Links section to emphasize that we realise there is a differnce
between the two breeds, notably the history, breeding, and especially
the ARBA Standard.