RABBITS FOR PROFIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 12

RABBITS FOR PROFIT

BREEDING ANGORAS NOW A RECOGNISED INDUSTRY FOURTEEN ON PORT DARWIN Fourteen pedigree Angora rabbits arrived by the Port Darwin from England last evening. They were brought by Mr. Wilfred Tangye, of London and Birmingham, who states that the bi'eeding of these l'abbits is rapidly developing into a profitable industry in England, and that there is no reason why New Zealand should not follow the lead of the Old Country. “I want to make it quite clear that the Angora rabbit will not live in a wild state,” said Mr. Tangye. "it must be kept in captivity and given a good deal of attention.” Mr. Tangye hopes to take up a small section of land at Morrinsville, where he and his wife, formerly an Auckland girl, will breed Angora rabbits. The English experts consider that there is a profit of 15s to be made from each rabbit, after all overhead expenses have been paid. The wool which is tifully soft and can be used for the obtained from these animals is beaumanufacture of all kinds of clothing. Mrs. Tangye had in her possession a jumper made from Angora wool, and numerous examples of coloured wools all woven from the coat of the rabbit. These wools had all been dyed and were very soft to the touch. Mr. Tangye was of opinion that the breeding of Angora rabbits was ideal for the small land-holder. One man can take care of 230 to 240 rabbits. The wool grows at the rate of one inch a month, and the animals are clipped once every three months. Some of the English breeders have between 5,000 and 6,000 animals, and tho wool is realising good prices on the markets. Some of the best-known breeders are Wilkinson, of Keith ley, Yorkshire: Captain Chambers, of the Stockbury Angoi*a Farm, Sittingbourne, Kent; and Dr. McDougall who is president of the Angora Club, Aylesford, Kent. Angora rabbits are now shown at agricultural shows in England and special prizes are offered, just as for any other animal. SHIP WOOL HOME Mr. Tangye proposes to ship his wool Home to the buyers there until the industry becomes recognised in New Zealand, and the product is saleable here. Speaking of the breeding of these rabbits, he says that three litters are produced each year, but only thi'ee or four of the best of each are kept. These are rearer by foster mothers. Commonsense methods are best when dealing with the rabbits, which l'equire plenty of fresh air and green food. They do not like wet or draughts and they do not burrow as other rabbits do. Books are now obtainable on the breeding of Angora rqbbits, one of which is “The Book of the Angora,” by Minchin and Matthews.

Mr. Tangye is a son of the .’ate Sir Richard Tangye, and is associated with the big Birmingham engineei'ing works of that name..