February 2016 we saw our first ARBA event and won! It was a thrill to be sure. From that moment on I was hooked. Not only was my goal now to breed for fiber quality, but also for show quality. Originally it was not my intent to show, but I was on Facebook and one of the ladies in my angora group posted a list of rabbits they still needed for class fillers. So of course I piped up "I have that one and that one and that one!" Little did I know that the show I was volunteering for was that coming weekend and over 6 hours away! But we did it. I was Valentine's Day weekend, hubby, rabbits and I headed for Astoria, Oregon.
Later in February we had a show in Couer D' Alene, Idaho, and many more after that. We had some big wins at our State ARBA Convention, and great fiber comments at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF). We sold quite a few juniors at that event as well.
Late Summer and Fall brought us new life, we had 6 angora litters and 2 Holland Lop Litters. Unfortunately due to space restrictions, I made the decision to only breed Angoras moving forward and that the Holland Lops that are staying will be for my children to participate in 4H with.
We did have some hard loses this winter for sure. I lost half my Velveteen Lop herd when the temperature dropped, I lost my favorite Holland Lop Buck, and we lost half a Holland litter (4 kits) within 2 weeks of birth. The strongest of that litter survived and have developed beautifully.
The crimp and texture on our kits is amazing. And I'm seeing bodies on these little guys that I am quite impressed with. I have deposits down on several of my juniors and have sold several others already.
I would just like to add that if is weren't for the love I have for my rabbits and them me, I would have had a much harder time this year. 2016 was a horribly year for my family and saw many struggles and challenges. However, we are strong and ended 2016/started 2017 on the right foot, and things are only going to get better from here.
2017 is going to be a great year for our Rabbitry and our family.
I hope everyone had a great year, and if not I wish you nothing but the best in the coming New Year. Please continue to follow us here and on Facebook to share in our joys, our sorrows, and our wins. I can feel this will be the year of Big things.
Look out 2017 Wild West Fiber Bunnies is going to be hitting the show circuit and bringing contenders to the tables