Poor Frodo, he was loaded with fur this morning and with the temps in the last few days getting so warm it had to be uncomfortable for him, so I decided today was the day. He was getting groomed. Here’s what he looked like last week when I brushed him out:
Just a big huge puffball!
So we started around 9 a.m. with him being anxious and friendly to be groomed:
And a little while later, when I finally figured out how to effectively hold the scissors (at an angle away from the skin), we started making progress:
Of course Frodo, being Frodo, can not sit still! He’s one of my two best bunnies for handling (loves to be handled), but sitting still is an impossibility for him:
Continue clipping and eventually he looks (according to DH) like he has a Cocker Spaniel cut:
At this point I’ve collected 2/3 of a basket of loose fur and he’s starting to get restless and squirmy:
Finally done, around 10:30 (an hour and a half for one bunny!), and he’s back in his cage awaiting his good bunny treats (dried papaya chunks):
All in all, he’s a little choppy looking but it’s amazing how much these little critters can squirm. And I collected 4.1 ounces of angora fiber from him, most of which is in the 3″ length. He’ll be cooler in the heat and less likely to develop wool block now, which makes for a happier bunny and a happier me.
Another day I’ll work on Samwise, he’s my least happy bunny to be handled and his fur doesn’t grow as fast or as thick as Frodo’s does. And I’m contemplating a pair of clippers rather than scissors for the majority of the clipping. Gwennie and Arwyn are pluckers so they’re easy to collect from, although I get more quantity at one time with my German boys!
Wow, he looked like a giant dandelion!! I bet he feels pretty chipper right now..sweet looking bunny.. Papaya is a must for these creatures to keep them able to digest their food..
He’s a love! His favorite distraction was standing on his back legs and rubbing his head up against my chin. Made it a little hard to groom, but so cute!
How interesting. I love reading your posts and seeing your activities around the house! I sure would love to hug your bunny!
Betsy, he’d love to be hugged and cuddled! He just loves attention! ;>