A unit of Lasting Forests
Sustained forests; sustained profits
evolving since March 30, 1999

Project Pivotal-Rig

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Enterprise 45 The Rabbit Group

Raising rabbits has been done by many 4-H youth, and Easter-time stimulates some interest in them. Raising rabbits is a good example of non-profitable activity unless it is done on the proper scale and in the proper areas. There is not high demand for the now-almost-unknown meat. Chicken suffices and is popular. Rumors are that fur is no longer widely acceptable. In the face of these obstacles, we propose a profitable local production industry with marketing done elsewhere.

The elements of the proposal are:

Involvement of youth and many people, even at a very small scale, inPivotal-Rig, Inc.

Computer-aided selection from among the breeds:

1. Alaska
2. American
3. Angora
4. Belgian Hare
5. Bevern
6. Blue Vienna
7. Californian
8. Champagne D'Argent
9. Checkered Giant
10. Chinchilla
11. Cinnamon
12. Creme D'Argent
13. English Spot
14. Flemish Giant
15. Florida White
16. Harlequin
17. Havana
18. Himalayan
19. Lilac
20. Lop
21. Netherland Dwarf
22. New Zealand
23. Palomino
24. Polish
25. Rex
26. Rhinelander
27. Sable
28. Satin
29. Silver
30. Silver Fox
31. Silver Marten
32. Tan

Optimizing on size, metabolic efficiency, meat yield, fur quality, pelt quality, and local appeal.

q Achieving economies of scale at the regional level
• Locally built housing or "hutches" made from wood from Pivotal Tracts
• Workshops for members and participants
• Rabbits dispersed to willing, educated participants throughout the region
• Optimum placement of housing
• Fencing to protect the housing units
• Membership in a rabbit raisers group
• Internet for rabbit raisers
• Use of locally-grown hay and foods
• Use of local veterinarian
• Development of a sled-hutch, rotating rabbit waste treatment over areas
• Development of 2 large rabbitrys or housing /breeding facilities
• Development of a meat and hide processing facility
• Development of fur-trim, winter hats, and fur toy markets with other Groups
• Development of regional restaurant specialty sales
• Development of a canned stew product
• Development of the bone resource
• Development of the organs resource
• Use of wastes in soil amendments
• Local employment
• Petting and photography area
• Sale of books, photographs, art
• Research and studies, including inventory and detailed measures for optimizing the system
• A centralized library and database on wild cottontail rabbits (The B.S. McGinnes Memorial), their hunting, ecological role, and their pest status and damage control procedures.

Estimates

Development costs for stock, facilities, labor, and marketing are about $100,000. Profit estimates:

• Low - $ 4,000
• Mod - $ 10,000
• High - $ 80,000

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Last revision June 10, 2002.