Plans for a Rabbitry
A rabbitry of both fiber and meat animals would provide us with an efficient source of fiber, meat, and cuteness. Rabbits would be raised in a colony style with females free to interact with one another. Males by necessity would need to be cadged, but they will be inset into the colony to maintain rabbit to rabbit interaction. A woman in Wisconsin has had much luck with her colony of Angoras!
French and Satin Angora Rabbits
Angora rabbits have been used for several hundred years to provide fiber, companionship, and meat to their humans. They have amazing dispositions and are extremely sweet creatures. At the maximum they can reach 10 1/2 pounds! The fiber can be sheared (similar to a sheep) or plucked (during a natural molt) to harvest. Angora fiber is 8 times warmer than wool and extremely soft and luxurious.
Harlequin Rabbits
Harlequin rabbits have a very distinctive coat coloration. They are also extremely sweet creatures. They were originally bred as meat rabbits in France. Maximum weight of these rabbits is 8 1/2 pounds. They can come in several coat color variations, but all should have the "split" coat with colors alternating on both sides. Magpie harlequins do not have any orange coloration.