Rabbit Breeding

In the late 1970s one Bonnie Seeley, a rabbit breeder from New Jersey, set about trying to breed a long haired wooly rabbit that was easier to groom than other long haired breeds. The result was the Jersey Wooly, a small rabbit, usually between 3 and 4 pounds that has an abundance of fur and a surprisingly docile temperament. In 1988 the first Jersey Woolies were accepted by ABRA as a recognized show breed and have gone on to be one of the more popular bunny breeds seen at shows all over the country.

Grooming and Care of the Wooly Coat – Although they are easier to care for than other long haired breeds – an abundance of guard hairs, which do not tangle, being the reason – the average Jersey Wooly still needs a good brushing at least three or four times a week to keep their coat matt free and silky. The wool of the Jersey Wooly can be collected and used much as that of an angora rabbit is, the Jersey Wooly is after all the result of crossing a Netherland Dwarf and a French Angora. Babies under 6 months often require more grooming as they still have a more cotton like coat.

A Coat of Many Colors – The Jersey Wooly can be found in a wide range of colors and coat patterns and the majority of them are accepted by ABRA for show. The average Jersey wooly will live 5-7 years but 7-10 and beyond if spayed or neutered at an early age. The Jersey Wooly has become a popular choice with pet owners as it is usually as friendly as it is small.

Enderby Island is the northern most island of the group known as the Auckland Islands, which lie about 150 miles away from New Zealand. They were first discovered in 1806 and quickly became a popular destination for whalers and seal hunters. A number of shipwrecks occurred, and in response a number of pigs, cattle and rabbits were introduced to the island to provide a source of food for these lost sailors until they could be rescued.

The Rabbits of Enderby

Rabbits were introduced to the island in 1836 by the crew of the H.M.S Victoria. There is no official records of what breed these rabbits were, some believe either British Silver Greys or French Argente de Champagne but no one knows for sure.

The rabbits thrived on Enderby Island in isolation for almost 130 years. The most commonly seen Enderby rabbit is silverish grey and black in color, but others sre cream and beige, perhaps the result of a recessive gene. The average weight of an adult Enderby Rabit is about four and a half pounds.

Saving and Reviving a Breed

In the 1980’s, the government of New Zealand decided that all of the Auckland Isles, including Enderby, should be returned to their “natural” state, which would involve the destruction of all the mammals who had been introduced to the islands by the Victorians.

A group of conservationists were allowed to remove up to 50 of the rabbits before the cull began. They only managed to catch 49 in the short time they were allowed to try to trap and save the rabbits, but they did bring all of them back to the mainland and set up a very successful breeding program.

Two years ago, the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand decided that the stock was now large enough that Enderby Rabbits could now be offered for sale to private individuals, and a number have now been exported to the US, where enthusiastic breeders are trying to establish them as a mainstream breed.