I raise Satin Angoras primarily for their wool, though we do eat our culls(Any bunnies that do not sell by the time they reach butcher weight that I am not keeping back for breeding or wool production), and shortfur Satins for meat. My ultimate goal is to get my Satin angoras up to the same level of commercial type as the Satins that I have, so they can be truly dual purpose.
I'm a handspinner though, so I'm mostly in it for the wool.
And Craig, either that PETA video was staged or the people running the place are idiots. Pulling the fur out of them that way ruins the coat...most of it will grow back as course guard fur because of the damaged hair follicles. We who actually raise angoras for their wool have to be careful not to even over comb them, because the same thing can happen just from gentle brushing.
My particular breed, Satin Angoras, molt their coats out every 3 or 4 months and I comb out or gently pluck the old coat off the tips of the new coat. They do not pluck bald, as they usually have about 1/4inch of new coat already grown in when they old coat releases. I usually pluck the prime fiber off the back and then trim the sides and belly with scissors since it is a little faster for the bunny. They sit on my lap the whole time and are not distressed by anything other than boredom.
Other breeds are bred not to molt and are sheared with scissors or clippers. They are not intended to have the fur ripped out of them while tied down.
This is my favorite chinchilla buck, Sterling, in full coat.
And this is him directly after plucking:
Clearly traumatized. You can tell by the way he lounges on my furniture like he owns the place. Maybe I should get him a therapist?
