Shearing of Angora rabbits – animal welfare and fiber hand in hand

I have been working with Angora rabbits for 18 years. Over this time, I have stood at countless craft and handicraft fairs, and one of the questions that surprisingly pops up, again and again, is: "Are the rabbits killed to get the wool?"

The answer is NO – I understand where this question comes from, but it also reveals how little Norwegian Angora farming is known to most people.

The image many people have in their heads likely stems from exposés of industrial Angora farming in countries like China, where the rabbits live in conditions that are as far from animal welfare as possible. We completely distance ourselves from that practice. It has nothing to do with us. And I am writing this on behalf of everyone else who works with Angora, both here in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, etc.

In Norway, Angora farming is about something entirely different: knowing each individual animal, regular care, and clipping the wool fibers, which is actually necessary for the rabbit's own well-being. The wool fibers grow continuously, and without clipping, they would become heavy, matted, and uncomfortable for the rabbit. Unlike industrial Angora farming, our rabbits also have their own names, and each has their own personality and quirks, which makes us fond of each and every one of them.

How often are the rabbits clipped?

Angora rabbits are usually clipped every 3 months, depending on the breed and wool fiber growth. Here, I follow each rabbit individually and clip when I see the time is right – that is, when the wool fibers are long enough to be spun, but not so long that they start to mat. In addition, I consider the rabbits' "general condition" and monitor what/if they are eating normally, their droppings, etc. All of this can provide an indication of whether they are healthy and fit, and not bothered by anything (for example, matted tangles that pull). If a rabbit shows signs of any kind of discomfort, or stops eating, the first choice is to clip them immediately, regardless of the length of the wool fibers, to ensure that it is not the wool fibers causing the problem.

How the clipping is done

The clipping is done calmly and gently with specially made Angora scissors. The rabbits are not held down, other than by standard safe handling, which is not painful for the rabbits. They are not tied up either! A part of the clipping is done first on a clipping table, then I pick them up in my lap and finish the rest of the clipping there. It is important that the animals are calm and feel safe during the entire process – then the clipping goes so much better, and becomes a much nicer experience for both rabbit and hairdresser.

What happens to the wool afterwards?

After clipping, I sort the wool by quality and length. The finest fibers are used for hand spinning and weaving, and eventually end up as hand-spun Angora yarn, and in the shawls and scarves you find in the online store. Not much is thrown away – shorter fibers and other wool are used for other projects or mixed with wool from other lovely animals we have access to, such as mohair goats, alpaca, and Old Norwegian sheep.

Animal welfare first

For me, Angora is about more than just an exclusive and beautiful fiber. Angora is, as we know, one of the world's most expensive wool fibers; that is undeniable, but it is just as much about knowing your animals, giving them good living conditions, and treating them with respect throughout the entire process.

For just think that there actually exists such a small and cozy animal that produces such a fantastic wool fiber, which we can use for various textiles and products! THAT is a fantastic resource for us humans, and something I believe is worth preserving!

But to do that, we must put the animals first, and then we can enjoy this exclusive wool fiber and make soft, delicious, warm, light, and beautiful textiles and garments.

So on behalf of everyone who works with Angora rabbits here in Norway - please, by all means, buy Norwegian! We are not large-scale industry – we are artisans with heart for the animals and the fiber they give us. Every meter of yarn, every shawl, and every scarf is a result of thoughtful care and respect for our rabbits. Buy Norwegian Angora, and you support a craft where the rabbits always come first.

Do you have questions about the Angora rabbits or the fiber we use? Feel free to send me a message – I am happy to share more.