Mulling Some More over Home Grown Fiber
I want to be able to produce fiber on my property. Hemp is illegal of course, so I've read up about flax. Flax looks quite labor intensive, and also I would not have much space for it each year. I have yucca, which can make cord, but I want to make clothing not just rope.
Looks like my best option might be angora bunnies. They would have to be out of doors, so I have to find out if they can tolerate any heat. Maybe you just shave them in May - that's what we do with the dogs! But apparently you harvest the fur 3 to 4 times per year, so how would they handle August?
Ryk built a tractor for my ducks, but instead we enclosed the orchard for them. So now I have what could be a good tractor/hutch, if I could finish it and actually get it to roll properly. I have a corner of the carport where they could stay in bad weather. If we get the tractor to roll, we could move them around the yard for fresh fodder and keep them safe from the doggies.
They would require grooming at least twice a week - I could handle that. Some require daily grooming - I could NOT handle that.
There is a breeder of French Angora (easier to care for but the fur is not as soft) in Indiana and one in Mississippi. I might have to travel 4-5 hours one way to get bunnies. http://rabbitbreeders.us/
Need to learn to process, spin and ply their wool. I think that would be OK. Then I'd have my own yarn, which would be fabulous. That of course is the goal.
The question is, could I handle this? Getting the ducks has been wonderful but it makes travel more difficult. Rabbits would make it that much harder. I love the ducks, they are adorable, wonderful, beautiful, and we enjoy the eggs. It's still a lot of work, feeding & watering them twice a day every day without fail, regardless of weather. Minty Lou requires at least one hour of attention every day, and supervised freedom in the house. Dogs need attention, grooming and walks. Not to mention the child and Ryk. And I'm still thinking about helicaculture (snails) for fresh meat and building a cob & wine jug greenhouse.
And I work full time.
But I STILL want to produce fiber on my property.