As most will remember I lost my job last Nov. was totally taken advantage of, was sexually harrased, etc. I had posted about buying out an existing rabbitry and starting my own business. Probably 50/50 as to do it or not as far as responses. Well I did it. We are 3 1/2 months into it now. I have over 100 rabbits and planning on expanding further. I also am in the process of taking over as a runner. [Pick up rabbits for other people and deliver to the processor.] I have spent hours on the web, researching all markets available. I am pleased to say I have 3 seperate viable markets and am starting to make a weekly profit. I honestly have not been able to keep up with the demand. I am shipping frozen skinned rabbits to people that feed BARF[bones and raw food] to their dogs. I also have developed a market for feeder rabbits for snake owners and selling to the processing plant. Yes, it has been hard work and sometimes discouraging losing litters etc, but I am so glad I went with it. If there is a will there is a way. You have to find the sources to sell to but they are out there. I hope this can be encouragement to others that you can work on your homestead and be able to succeed. Please visit the rabbit board also. We are starting to get a few people contributing that are knowlegable. http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Raising%20meat%20rabbits%20for%20profit Tracy

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), March 20, 2002

Answers

Tracy,

I am ever so pleased to read about your success. I had a good feeling about your chances when you started because you seemed so determined and you were putting so much energy into it. I am following your progress, as I hope to someday be working full time from my own home, and rabbits are one of the components I am considering. You have already given me a lot of good ideas, and I hope that you will continue to share your experiences with the rest of us.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), March 20, 2002.

Hi Tracy,

I tried to email you about buying some rabbits but "Stargate" keeps rejecting my email and says that it is "SPAM". Would you please email me personally.

Thanks

-- Jodie in TX (stanchnmotion@yahoo.com), March 20, 2002.

Jodie, I emailed you.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), March 20, 2002.

Tracy try a few drop nest boxes, there great!

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), March 20, 2002.

Way to go Tracy! I'm so glad to hear all is going well for you. Thanks for keeping us posted. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

Tracy, congratulations. That is pretty amazing to be starting to make a profit so soon. Sounds like you have really been hustling. I didn't see your original posting as I was off the site for awhile due to my huband being hospitalized. It is always wonderful to hear people who are making a success out of a homesteading business. That BARF idea is great. We move in the great dane circles and know many people who are feeding BARF diets. I'll pass along your web address to them to help you get the word out even further. I assume you are already posting to the BARF chat boards. Hooray for you and keep us posted.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 20, 2002.

Congratulations, Tracy.

You've demonstrated great amounts of self-discipline, determination, and excellent marketing practices. Of COURSE you would succeed.

Blessings on you for sharing your knowledge as you go along. It has been really interesting reading your postings of failures and successes.

Good luck and continued success!

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

I'm glad to hear that your rabbit business is doing well. I think that you're doing great to be making a profit already. I've been thinking about trying to make some money on rabbits myself. Hearing how well it's gone for you, I guess I'll have to do more than just think about it.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), March 20, 2002.