How do I care for a JW's coat?

[gentle giants]

I got a pair of bonded does in to my rescue today, and one of them is a JW. I haven't had one of these before, so I have a couple questions regarding "hare" care, LOL. How often does she need to be brushed? With any certain type of brush? Does she have a "double layered" coat, where the wool underneath will shed out and leave only guard hairs, like a collie does?

Also, the main portion of my rabbits are in a barn that doesn't have air-conditioning. The problem is, Iam up to five rabbits in the house now, and Hubby is starting to gripe. Max is staying in, and Buster is not well yet, so he will have to get better before he goes out in the barn where he might spread this to the others. Can JW's be kept in outdoor temps? Summer gets muggy here, normal temps are 80's. Could I have her hair cut short/groomed, or would this be a bad thing for her?

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

It depends on the type of coat she has. She should have a coat full of guard hair and some underwool. The wool should "lay" across her body....not poofy like an angora. You can use a comb similar to a flea comb but with wider bristles. Also, a soft puppy slicker brush will work too but you need a comb to get to the underwool. The areas to pay attention to daily is the rump and near the hind feet. The body only needs to be brushed once a week.

You could shave the wooly but you need to be careful if the rabbit is kept outside. Once the wooly is shaved, it is suscepible to sunburn. My woolies are outside, fully wooled, and are fine. My temps get to 90's with humidity in the 70's at times. However, I mist the top of the cages.

Hope this helps......let me know if you need anymore help.

Sharon

 

[gentle giants]

Well, sun is not an issue, as tehy are in shade all the time.

 

[gentle giants]

I would also love to know what her color is, if anyone can tell me.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Looks like a Siamese Sable. She also looks like she doesn't carry the dwarfing gene...how much does she weigh?

She is very cute! I love Woolies!

Sharon

 

[gentle giants]

She is about five pounds, give or take an ounce. I jsut picked her up and stepped on the scale with her, so that's not exact, LOL. She is soooo cuddly, it's like this giant breathing cushion! And when I pick her up, she mumbles at me, sounds a lot like a guinea pig.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Yup...she definitely does not carry the dwarfing gene

Sharon

 

[myheart]

Sharon, do you use any shampoo, or is the brush-out enough to keep the hair clean? Any particular types of foods for a better coat?

Just wondering, because I used to groom dogs and am very interested in different types of hairs and their care. I know dogs and cats, but not long-haired bunnies. Thanks for any other information on long-haired rabbit care.

myheart

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Jersey Woolies were bred to be low maintainance. I do not brush my woolies every day, I actually brush them every two weeks. This does not count my show ones though.

I would not use any kind of shampoo on awooly as you will stress the rabbit out. And with the long wooled animals, they do not dry fast. If you want to keep a long haired rabbit clean, keep them on a wire floor. Don't use shavings as this just helps mat the coat faster. They have thick furred feet so the wire doesn't bother them at all. Brush them often and they will do the rest. They groom themselves.

However, woolies are different then the rest because they also ingest more fur and longer fur. They need a CONSTANT supply of hay. The long hay fibers will grab onto the fur and help it through the digestive system. You can't use hay cubes either. This applies to any long haired rabbit.

Hope this helps. Sharon