Satin Angora Rabbit

History:
Whereas the English, French and German angora breeds have their origin in a common Europeaen angora rabbit, the satin angora is a young breed created by the Canadian Mrs. Leopoldina Meyer. In a litter of short-haired satin rabbits she found a longish haired bunny, which she later bred to a French angora. That's how she brought the wonderful sheen into the angora breed. In 1987, the satin angoras were recognized as a new angora breed by the ARBA. Although the yield of wool may be improved, the breed is truly the royalty of the angoras.

It's a medium-sized breed, ideal weight is 3,5-4 kg. Satin angora rabbits are gentle and friendly minded. They are robust and productive and available in many colors.
In spring 1998 we imported the first satin angoras from the USA to Europe. We got stuck to this beautiful breed and don't keep any other angoras anymore. The yield of wool is smaller, but it may be improved with specific breeding. The fiber has a length of about 10 cm and is plucked twice a year.

Malaika, lilac chinchilla doe

Satinwool
The incredible softness and the sheen make this fiber a very special thing. Satinangora fiber is a luxury fiber and not easy to find.

The satin factor is based on a simple mutation and is passed on recessively. It changes the structure of the hair: the hair shaft is thinner and translucent, the color pigments are in the inside of the hair. The shaft reflects the light, the wool becomes shimmering and shiny. It looks like spun glass! The diameter of the hair is even smaller than normal angora wool and it looks and feels like silk.

This picture shows a normal angora on the left compared to a satin angora on the right. The sheen of the satin angora is very obvious.The bunny on the left is a cross-breed between satin angora and French angora. It carries a satin gene but doesn't show it, because the hereditary factor for satin is recessive. The rabbit has to carry two satin genes to grow shiny satin angora wool.

Here is the yarn of the two rabbits above: on the left the yarn of the normal haired angora, on the right the satin angora yarn. Spinning this wonderful fiber makes no problems. It is a little bit more slippery than normal angora fibers and is preferably spun with some extra twist.
A great deal of natural colors is a temptation for handspinners.

white, pearl, blue, black, red and copper yarn

Who ever has seen a satin angora rabbit in its full fleece or has spun its silky shining wool is fascinated by the magic of this wonderful breed!

Bunnies aviable now

© Ursula + Pascal Glauser 21. May 1999

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