Animal Fibres - Wool And Silk

Animal Fibres – Wool and Silk

Wool is a natural animal fibre obtained from the fleece of certain animals. It is warm, elastic, and used in making winter clothing and blankets.

Wool is obtained from various animals, including:

Sheep – The primary source of wool worldwide.
Goat – Produces high-quality wool like Cashmere (Pashmina).
Yak – Found in the Himalayan region; its wool is used for making warm clothing.
Camel – Bactrian camels provide soft and warm wool.
Rabbit – Angora wool is obtained from Angora rabbits.

Rearing and Breeding of Sheep
- Sheep are raised for wool production.
- They are provided with proper food and shelter.
- Selective breeding is done to improve wool quality.
Shearing
- The fleece (hair) of the sheep is cut off using clippers.
- Shearing is usually done in summer.
Scouring
- The raw wool is washed to remove dirt, grease, and sweat.
Sorting
- The cleaned wool is sorted based on texture and quality.
Dyeing
- Wool is dyed in different colors.
Spinning
- The fibres are spun into yarns, which are then woven into fabric.

Silk is a natural fibre obtained from silkworms. It is known for its softness, shine, and strength.

Sericulture is the process of cultivating silkworms to produce silk. The most commonly used species is Bombyx mori.

Egg Stage – Female moth lays eggs.
Larva (Caterpillar) Stage – The eggs hatch into silkworm larvae that feed on mulberry leaves.
Pupa Stage (Cocoon Formation) – The larva spins a protective cocoon around itself using silk thread.
Adult Moth Emerges – The fully developed moth emerges from the cocoon, completing the cycle.

Rearing of Silkworms
- Silkworms are fed with mulberry leaves to grow.
Cocoon Formation
- Silkworms spin cocoons using silk thread.
Extraction of Silk Thread (Reeling the Silk)
- The cocoons are boiled to soften the silk threads.
- Threads are unwound carefully and spun into silk fibres.
Weaving and Dyeing
- The silk fibres are woven into fabric and dyed in various colors.