Jersey Wooly Q&A
Q: What are Jersey Wooly's temperaments like?
A: Jersey Woolies are nicknamed the "No-kick Bunny". Need I say more? ;) Woolies are known for their gentle, sweet demeanor and are not as likely to bite, kick or behave aggressively as some other rabbit breeds. Of course, temperaments vary a bit depending on the individual rabbit and how it is handled. Jersey Woolies make show bunnies as well as pets, and truly are a joy to live with.
Q: Are Jersey Woolies hard to groom?
A: It depends mostly on the age of the rabbit, whether or not the rabbit is going through a molt. (That's when they shed their hair.) and also the rabbit's color! (ex: ruby-eyed whites and brokens have thicker, denser wool and require a little more grooming than do otters and agoutis.)
Young Woolies that haven't lost their fuzzy baby coat require more maintenance grooming than adult rabbits with silkier hair. All rabbits of any breed molt their baby coat at around 3-4 months of age and will molt once or twice a year when fully mature. Its important to brush your rabbit daily during molting to remove the loose hair and prevent it from ingesting it while grooming. The Jersey Wooly's new coat should grow in quickly after the old coat is removed , and requires no more than a good brushing or combing once or twice a week or not at all. Unlike the Angora breeds, Jersey Woolies don't require any shearing, trimming or clipping.
Young Woolies that haven't lost their fuzzy baby coat require more maintenance grooming than adult rabbits with silkier hair. All rabbits of any breed molt their baby coat at around 3-4 months of age and will molt once or twice a year when fully mature. Its important to brush your rabbit daily during molting to remove the loose hair and prevent it from ingesting it while grooming. The Jersey Wooly's new coat should grow in quickly after the old coat is removed , and requires no more than a good brushing or combing once or twice a week or not at all. Unlike the Angora breeds, Jersey Woolies don't require any shearing, trimming or clipping.
Q: What kinds of flea products are safe for rabbits?
A: Never, ever use Frontline flea products on your rabbit! Some vets who don't know much about rabbits will advise you to use it, but it will kill your bunny. Some flea shampoos and dips are dangerous as well, so I would stay away from those also. You can use a product by Bayer called Advantage (the kind for use on kittens) which is safe for bunnies. A product called Revolution for puppies/kittens works well for common fur mites, as does Ivermectin (oral or injectable).
Q: Do rabbits need to be dewormed?
A: Yes, twice a year. You can use a liquid product called Piperzine which is added to the rabbit's water or Ivermectin (injectable kind or oral paste for horses.) When administering oral Ivermectin paste, give only a small pea sized amount. Always be very cautious when considering the appropriate dosage to deworm your rabbit with; overdosing can be fatal.
Q: What do I need to feed my Jersey Wooly?
A: Jersey Woolies eat the same basic diet as any rabbit. They need to be fed a diet of pellets formulated for rabbits, plenty of fresh timothy hay for proper digestive function and a constant supply of water. A variety of fresh fruits and veggies also make great, healthy snacks for your rabbit. It is very important to do your research on what kinds or veggies and fruits are safe for rabbits before feeding them though. Many kinds are very toxic to rabbits and can cause death. Providing a salt or mineral wheel is also a good idea.
Q: Can I feed my rabbit treats?
A: Wait until your rabbit is 6 months or older before feeding any treats. This includes hay treat logs or edible, treatlike "dens" and such, which contain additional ingredients that are found in treats. Feeding treats to a rabbit under 6 months old may cause a digestive imbalance resulting in sickness and often death. Older rabbits deal better with changes and stress. Excessive carbohydrates found in some fruits and vegetables can also stress a rabbit's system. Always be sure that something is safe before you feed it to your pet.
Q: Do rabbits need toys?
A: Yes. Rabbits need to have ways to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown and stay mentally active and happy. Always keep in mind that rabbits love to chew just about anything, so stay away from any toys that can make them sick if they eat it. I give all of my bunnies bird toys made from wood and rope, wooden chew toys and toilet paper rolls that I stuff with fresh timothy hay each day. Its always a good idea to have a supply of fun, safe toys and rotate them each day or so to keep your rabbit from becoming bored.
Q: Should my pet rabbit live outdoors or indoors?
A: Although rabbits can do fine living outdoors, I tend to think that most are much better off living indoors. Outdoor pets are more at risk, and special care must be taken to protect your pet from extreme heat/cold, predators, being stolen or escaping and getting lost. Another advantage to keeping a pet indoors is that it will be much easier for you to provide proper care for your rabbit. Its not much fun breaking ice in your pet's water when it is bitterly cold outdoors!. Rabbits are also at great risk for heat stroke and death when outdoors during extreme heat. Keeping your pet rabbit indoors is typically better for both you and your furry friend. That being said, rabbits can be kept safely outdoors as long as special precautions are taken to minimize or eliminate the risks and keep them comfortable.
Q: Can you litter train a rabbit?
A: Absolutely! :) I personally know many people who have done so successfully. Rabbits typically have a "potty corner" in their cage, and if you put the litterbox in his potty corner, you shouldn't have too much trouble teaching him to use it.
Q: How much exercise does a Jersey Wooly rabbit need?
A: All rabbits need some time each day to get out of their cage and romp. Walking your rabbit on a leash is probably not a good idea and could possibly put your bunny in harm's way. The safest way for your rabbit to get exercise is to put up or construct a safe, rabbit-proof playpen within the safety of your house.
A rabbit should never be roaming unsupervised unless the room has been completely bunny-proofed and dangerous items like electrical cords have been removed or put of reach. Rabbits should never be allowed to roam outdoors. If you would like your pet to spend some time outdoors, be careful that he/she is contained in a safe, well protected enclosure that doesn't allow predators (or your rabbit) to dig underneath the fence or get in/out over the top of the enclosure. Protection from the elements is also important. Its always a good idea to bring your rabbit indoors at night, when predators are very likely to visit.
A rabbit should never be roaming unsupervised unless the room has been completely bunny-proofed and dangerous items like electrical cords have been removed or put of reach. Rabbits should never be allowed to roam outdoors. If you would like your pet to spend some time outdoors, be careful that he/she is contained in a safe, well protected enclosure that doesn't allow predators (or your rabbit) to dig underneath the fence or get in/out over the top of the enclosure. Protection from the elements is also important. Its always a good idea to bring your rabbit indoors at night, when predators are very likely to visit.
Q: How long can a Jersey Wooly rabbit live?
A: Rabbits can live to be 7 to 10 years old if properly cared for.
Q: How much do Jersey Woolies weigh?
A: A Jersey Wooly rabbit should be anywhere between 1-3 lbs when mature, though some may grow to be a little bigger.
Q: What colors can Jersey Wooly rabbits come in?
A: A rainbow of colors is available within the breed. the agouti section includes chestnut, chinchilla, opal and squirrel colors; self or solid colors include black, blue, chocolate, lilac, ruby eyed white (REW) and blue eyed white (BEW) while the shaded colors include sable point, smoke pearl, siamese sable, blue tort, black tort and seal. Additionally there are the otter and martin patterns that include black otter, blue otter, silver marten, blue silver marten, lilac silver marten, chocolate silver marten, sable marten and smoke pearl marten. There is also the "any other variety" or "AOV" section that includes black pointed whites and blue pointed whites. They can also be fawn, orange, chocolate otter and any one of the color varieties in a broken pattern.
Q: Do I need to bathe my rabbit?
A: Rabbits should not be bathed under normal circumstances. If the rabbit must be bathed, care should be taken, if possible, to concentrate your attention only to the area that is dirty. (Ex: If your rabbit's rear is dirty, only his rear should be bathed.)
Q: Do rabbits need vaccinations or regular vet care?
A: There are currently no vaccines available for rabbits in the U.S. It never hurts to have a yearly examine performed on your rabbit, though I have to say that unless you can locate a vet who has extensive experience dealing with rabbits, it really won't do you much good. Never allow a vet who doesn't specialize in rabbits operate on your rabbit or give you medical advice. Rabbits are very sensitive and require different care than do cats or dogs. Vets that don't specialize in bunnies will often give you medical advice that won't help or can even kill your rabbit. I know from previous experience and have heard many sad stories....I cannot stress this enough!!!! Its always a good idea to contact a knowledgeable, rabbit savvy friend or rabbit breeder or do research online if you unsure about something or have a question or emergency. They can often recommend tried and true remedies or offer advice gained from years of experience and extensive research.
I also highly recommend doing lots of research online regarding rabbit health and care. If you have a question, you can almost always find an answer by doing a web search or posting your question on a rabbit breeder forum.
I also highly recommend doing lots of research online regarding rabbit health and care. If you have a question, you can almost always find an answer by doing a web search or posting your question on a rabbit breeder forum.
Q: Do Jersey Woolies carry the dwarf gene? And how does this gene work?
A: Yes, Jersey Woolies do carry the dwarfing gene. When a rabbit inherits one dwarf gene and one normal gene, it produces a small and typey bunny that breeders often select for showing purposes. These rabbits are called "true dwarfs" and can pass the dwarf gene onto their offspring.
As with all dwarf breeds, Woolies can also produce "peanuts." These tiny babies result when two true dwarfs (those carrying the dwarf gene) are bred together. The peanut kit inherited two copies of the dwarfing gene (one from each parent), while the true dwarf inherited one copy of the dwarfing gene and one normal gene. Peanuts are believed to have compromised immunities. Most peanuts die within several days after birth but never live past 3 weeks of age.
As with all dwarf breeds, Woolies can also produce "peanuts." These tiny babies result when two true dwarfs (those carrying the dwarf gene) are bred together. The peanut kit inherited two copies of the dwarfing gene (one from each parent), while the true dwarf inherited one copy of the dwarfing gene and one normal gene. Peanuts are believed to have compromised immunities. Most peanuts die within several days after birth but never live past 3 weeks of age.
Q: I am interested in showing my rabbit. Where do I start?
A: A great place to start is the American Rabbit Breeder's Association. Becoming a member is very inexpensive and rabbit showing is fun and easy to learn. If you are interested in learning more about showing rabbits, please visit the ARBA website at www.arba.net. Phone: 309.664.7500 or PO Box 5667, Bloomington IL 61702.