2004-03-24 - 11:11 a.m.

On today's docket was getting Pippin sheared. I thought it'd be beneficial for folks who have asked for me to take some photos. Like sheep, bunnies are not harmed in any way - they just get a hair cut. My guys are German crosses - they get their wool thickness from their German ancestor and color from either a French or English angora ancestor.

Although Pippin is my most timid bunny, he is actually very good about being sheared. He cooperated quite nicely today. He is a black German cross, which means that he was jet black as a baby (except for a white Nike swoosh on his forehead, which he outgrew), and has gradually gotten paler as he has aged. He just turned 1 this month and is a pale, pale silver gray - almost white.

This is Pippin with about 3-1/2 months of growth on him:

(Sorry about the blurriness - he does not sit still for photos very well)

Here's a close-up of his cute bunny butt - I have snipped all the hair from along his backbone and started down his sides. You can see the great fiber length on him:

Finally, here's a shot when we are just about done - I still needed to clean up his feet and tummy, and clip his nails - but I normally do that with the bunny in my lap, which gives me better control over any wiggling. This is a "winter" cut - I've left a little more fur on him than I would in the summer. It's warmer here today, but still only supposed to be in the upper 30s during the day, and down in the low 20s at night. They will get sheared a bit closer to the skin for the next shearing in late May, early June, so they will be ready for the hot weather.

All for now.....

previous - next