Really, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen someone shear a rabbit the size of a Shetland Sheepdog.
Okay, so that’s a slight exaggeration. But let’s see you visit The Shearing Shed in Waitomo, NZ, and be able to look away. All over New Zealand, locals will try enticing you into watching a sheep get shorn. I’m from the Old West, and this is Old Hat.
Shearing a huge bunny, though, is another bag of oats entirely.
We did this after a pretty full morning including caving. We were pretty hungry for something weird to do, and Waitomo isn’t exactly Wellington. Heck, it’s not even Nelson! The Shearing Shed was right near the road to Woodlyn Park, so we said “why not?”
The schedule seems sporadic, and we were just lucky to be there moments before a friendly woman clutching a white Andora rabbit seemed ready to get the party started. This is also when a busload of German uni students showed up.
That day’s shearer drew the drama out, explaining about the care and feeding and growth of the rabbits. Let me say, I am still amazed at the size of an Angora rabbit, and I’m certain the Kiwis are happy to read this. Anyway, these little creatures are pretty handy. They’re small for “livestock” but they grow enough fur to be utilitarian. The folks at the Shed sell their wool for other people to turn into useful items, and I believe they may produce a little of their own, too.
You can pick up all sorts of wares made from their funny bunnies, in addition to sheep and even possum. I didn’t see anything the demanded a place in my backpack, so I donated a few bucks to the Shearing Shed for the 30 minutes of mad, rabbit-shaving fun.
www.waitomo-museum.co.nz/newwebpages/isshed.htm
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I have to check this out soon
Okay, now THAT was unexpected!
That bunny was way too mellow. Did they slip something into it’s water…?!!
Very cool to see. She was so fast and efficient. And that bunny was HUGE! Probably about the size of my dear, sweet Rosie..!!
Neat post!!
Isn’t that crazy? The one we watched barely flopped or twitched. It just sat there with its little nose twitching. You’re right, though – those bunnies are MONSTERS!