This post is probably just going to end up being incoherent rambling, but I need to get this off my chest! A friend and I have been trying to find a good outlet for our rabbits. There really is nothing in this area and the closest truck won't return our calls (it is rumored that he is retiring). So, I went searching. I mean really searching for a way to sell fryers. I talked to a processor in CA and we decided that we could transport rabbits from the northern end of Oregon going down. This would only work if we have 200 rabbits. Otherwise we lose money.

So, we put an ad on CL asking how many people would be interested in this. We got a ton of response. Then we gave all those people a heads up and put another ad up with when we would be going. We got tons of response from that too. Then someone with 100 told us that his weren't ready and someone with 65 said theirs weren't ready. Without those rabbits, we were sunk, so we put the trip off and decided to go on the 10th. Most of the people responding won't be ready for a while, since nobody's been breeding for the truck (below Portland and above Medford had no outlet).

Today, I got an email from the person with 100 and they told us that they've decided to drive their rabbits to a truck 3 hours south of them for .10 more per lb.(after asking for confirmation that we would be going on the 10th, and setting it up with the processor...again. Thank goodness he's so understanding with this being our first trip). This was after we emailed back and forth several times trying to give him tips on how to get them to gain a touch faster, after answering several questions for him, and re-flippin' scheduling everything and announcing the trip...expecting his rabbits.

The only reason that I'm venting here and making you hear my stark raving madness is because the gal that is supposed to be doing all of this with me is out of town on a camping trip for the holiday weekend. I need to let it out. My husband sort of turns a deaf ear to anything rabbit related. I just get nods and 'as long as you're happy, dear' type stuff.

Vent over. Now I just want to know why people are so unreliable. If you say you're going to do something, don't change plans mid-game.

Have you looked into selling to people that feed their dogs raw? You don't have to have the buns butchered at a USDA processing plant - you can do it yourself. Some people even want the rabbits whole - with skin!

ugh, how awful. That would drive me NUTS! Too bad I'm moving, because I would love to build up a herd to sell. I think the big problem would be people not realizing what it takes to get this all set up. How awful for you to go through this. I would be venting, too.

I would explode.

Not that it would do any good. Unreliable people make me sick.

This probably won't be allowed but I will try to make it as acceptable
as I can without tossing aside the meaning.
Most people are unreliable. If you understand that
and realize that most people "use a straw when they drink Soda"
you will come to accept what they do as normal.
Then, when someone is very nice to you/acts responsibly, it gives you a very warm feeling.
Like Whoa! That is very thoughtful.
Dennis, C.V.R.

I agree Dennis. And I completely know that I shouldn't depend on them being reliable, I just wish that this first trip would come to fruition. We have several people that are actually building their herds in order to sell to us (reputable breeders that we've done a lot of business with in the past and have come to know), but that takes time. In the mean time, we need to build up a trust in the breeders that we are reliable and gain their trust. As it stands, I will be heading up to Eugene this week, buying rabbits from a couple of breeders with my own money, and in turn selling them to the Safari at .20 less per lb. just to maintain a good reputation.

Oh what a pain! You know what you need --MORE RABBITS!! Yes, that is the answer to everything! Then you won't be counting on unreliable schmucks...just your own does producing powers.

That would be, what, 25 producing does averaging 8 kits, on a 3 month rotation, so times 3, plus bucks.... oh my gosh that's a whole lotta rabbits!

Hahaha! More rabbits! I love it! I am down to 25 does right now after culling several. The goal is 50 by the end of the year and 75-100 by the end of next summer. I'm trying to expand at a pace that won't burn me out, won't be detrimental to my herd, and will allow me to sell enough stock that I can afford it. If I only have 100 rabbits of my own stock to take down there then I'll be making good money, since I will get the per lb. price and the hauling fee. Right now, I don't have many (I slowed down on breeding after losing a great doe in mid-kindle from heat), so the only money to be made is the hauling fee.

Thank you all for letting me vent! I feel ohhhhh so much better now!!! Sometimes that is all it takes. One of the many reasons I love this place...even if you don't have a lot of time to come in and respond to everyone's posts, people will still give you the time of day!

i agree dennis ... my experience as well