Introduction
In this activity you will learn about various market rabbit options and how to identify a potential rabbit market in your community. The market rabbit project focuses on establishing a rabbit-related business and aiming to make a profit from this endeavor.

In order to undertake the creation of a successful business, you must first determine the demand in your community and then find a rabbit option that meets this demand. You should choose a project that you like and that interests you. Using creativity and ingenuity you will be able to use a market option that you like to meet the demand and make a profit. Use the following activity to learn more about the four major branches of market rabbit productions.

 

Solve this Situation

Scenario
There are many different situations that you might find yourself as you begin a market rabbitry. Below are four different situations. Read these situations and then use the reflect and apply questions to complete the activity.

Toby: As a cloverbud Toby completed Getting Started with rabbits and since then has kept several rabbits. He is interested in starting a market rabbit project but needs to find the option that suits him best. He currently owns 2 New Zealand does and a Californian buck. Toby has been involved in several other Animal Science projects, with market steer and swine. His family owns a poultry facility and processes chickens. Toby and his family live out in the country, on their farm. His sister Megan dyes the pelts, she is into crafts.

Shantil: Shantil has had a pet French Angora rabbit for about a year and a half. She would like to get involved in a market project, but she is not sure that she can. With her mother being a seamstress, Shantil has had a lot of experience with clothing and textile projects. She competes in Fashion Review every year, and does quite well. Shantil lives on a very busy street in the city. The complex where she lives allows her to keep pets as long as they do not disturb the neighbors. Her complex has a community garden where many of the tenants grow small crops and flowers.

Jamie and Alexis: Jamie and Alexis met while competing at a local rabbit show. Jamie shows Netherland Dwarf rabbits and Alexis shows Dutch rabbits. They are both interested in starting a market rabbit project, but are not quite sure which option they want to do. They are willing to split up the responsibilities of managing the project and caring for their animals. In the past, they have sold a few of their rabbits at shows, and are well aware of the asking price for quality show animals. Jamie and Alexis live in separate counties, but the commute between their homes is relatively short. Jamie lives further out in the country, whereas Alexis lives in the city. Jamie’s father owns a bait and tackle shop, that sells earth worms. Alexis’s mother owns a plant nursery that specializes in fruit trees.

Adir: Adir has never owned a rabbit, but after completing Mowing for Money he has been looking for another business enterprise to undertake. He has money saved up from his last project, and thinks that he may be interested in a market rabbit project. Adir’s family owns a furniture store and tapestry store. They sell various rugs and animals pelts for home decore. Their home is located in a commercial district near their storage warehouse. Adir’s family is used to eating
rabbit, and consider it a delicacy.

Reflect on this Situation

Click here to download reflect questions to guide you through this activity.

Apply this to Your Rabbit Project

Click here to download the apply questions for this activity.