Meat Project

It is no secret that I extreme downsized on my Mini Lops and filled those cages with Californians and a Satin. This is the lowest # of ML's I've had in 10 years. It hurts, like no other to see all those years of work practically go down the drain. I kept what I wanted, and will produce a few litters and just show here & there. That's what I like. I KNOW I can't be super competitive this way, but right now in my life -- it's only right. My paycheck only extends so far after bills and feed and since they aren't bringing in a lot of income, I have to keep things to a minimum.

On the upside, I've dabbled in meat rabbits here & there. I haven't really raised any since my last few years in 4-H where I got into market pens & fryers. We've replaced our diet with a lot more chicken and rarely any beef. Prices do affect this, but since my dad spent 5 months in the hospital, since he came home his diet has changed. He can't really process red meat and quite frankly, I'm ok with not eating it too. Chicken is expensive. I hate buying it from the store.

Rabbit meat is better for you. It tastes just as good. And in addition to having a puppy where dog food is insanely expensive, I'm hoping to meet two goals: produce enough rabbit to have stored to make use of a few times a week, and to feed my dog raw liver/lung/kidney & hearts & replace one of his meals with cooked rabbit. Plus I have an insane rabbit jerky recipe that is way healthier than any beef jerky you can get in the store.

I got my meat bunnies at the end of March. I had to buy them as babies. Watching them grow up is a painful process, but each day they are making the wait worth it. They are growing by leaps and bounds -- they are massive little creatures and are just coming up on 4 months. I had to get rid of the American chin lot, but the Satin doe did have 7 babies bred to a Champagne D Argent buck.

So I am tracking how much I have spent on the project and end of December I'll try to determine how it all adds up! :) Wish me luck.

West Coast Classic -- last year in Reno

Reno was super fun. I got to the show in time for BIS on Saturday and was able to get my rabbits unloaded and 2 of the sale buns dropped off. Got a good nights sleep. Sunday started well .... I ended up judging a good slate ... Americans, Champagnes, Cremes, Satins, Dwarf Hotots, Rhinelanders, & Flemish Giants. It was also a rewarding experience to judge the Best of the Best competition with some of the best judges around. I met a lot of new people, saw a lot of great rabbits, and not a single hiccup in the show. Good luck to the WCC moving to Las Vegas next year!

I picked up a doe from Lisa Davis to borrow. She bred her to one of her bucks at the show. As a 6th ML I think she will make a great addition.

Reba just kindled 9 babies to White Chocolate Mocha yesterday. There are some dilutes in there and they will be chocolate/lilac carriers to use for that part of my line. Syrah is also bred to WCM and Ref has a couple more weeks with her litter by him. I haven't decided what I will do with her since I wont have anyone to breed her to in a while...

Probably going to skip the Klamath Falls show this weeekend. So we'll get ready for OR St Conv. Can't wait :)