Volume 18, Number 1, Fall 2007

Rabbits Multiply Skills for Young Entrepreneurs

Barb Duvall

“Be an entrepreneur!” That’s exactly what members of the Cherry Country Critters 4-H Club decided to do when they realized they could use their ever-increasing expertise in the area of rabbits to help others.

After hearing of the death of a sick rabbit purchased from a local feed store with the assurance of its health, the members decided to raise and sell quality, healthy rabbits and use that opportunity to educate the public. The 4-H leader helped the members enter into an agreement with Tractor Supply Company (TSC) in Traverse City to set up shop within the store to provide the public with access to quality rabbits suitable for showing at the fair. That was the easy part.

Five members, ranging in age from 6 to 15, accepted the challenge to breed, care for, wean and then sell the rabbits. Needing a steady supply of litters from late January until Easter, they had to take into account the gestation period and how long before the babies could be weaned. In order to socialize the rabbits, they had to handle each baby frequently.
The members learned how to select rabbits that were healthy and of the quality to be eligible to be shown at the fair. They also took turns “working” weekends at TSC helping customers choose the rabbit that best fit their family’s needs.

The five members learned and honed skills related to record keeping, promotion and educating the public. Members made handouts instructing new owners how to house, feed, care for and groom their pet. They even made posters explaining how to join 4-H and outlining the requirements for participating in the Northwestern Michigan Fair.
Tractor Supply Company was so pleased with the project that they have invited the members and baby rabbits back next year!

Each member got to keep the money that his/her baby rabbits brought in (each rabbit was sold for $7.50). Two members reinvested their earnings into their rabbitry; one put the money into her college fund, one donated to her church and bought something she had been wanting. The youngest participant bought a pair of shoes! He wanted a pair that was more than his parents were willing to spend, so he paid the difference!