Gotta Wild Hare Rabbitry
Mini Rex, in Central Kansas
Hi! We are Gary & Kathy Rariden. We & our Miniature Schnauzer Tuff Nuff operate a small rabbitry in McPherson,KS. We're in the middle of the state, about 55 miles north of Wichita. Let me tell you a little bit about us.
Our rabbit life started in 1988 when our kids, Jennifer, then 9, & Michael, then 8, decided to join 4H. One of the new projects was rabbits. Now, back then, we knew NOTHING about rabbits...we didn't know they came in different breeds...or colors...or sizes. Were we in for the education of our lives!
They started with 2 Mini Lop does...Bugs & Butterscotch. They were wonderful little ladies. Jen & Mikey started showing them at our county fair, & did very well. They started showing at all county fairs, & our state fair. They just kept doing great. They wanted to increase the herd, & since they had done so well caring for the two, we let them get a few more.
We soon moved to a small farm NW of town, & really increased. Within a year & a half, they had gone to almost 100 rabbits. After another year, it was close to 200. The kids were very responsible, & needed little help from the old folks. Mom...also known as the materity expert, was in charge of labor & delivery. I had lived on a farm as a kid, & knew something about delivering babies...of all sorts.
Those kids raised a very successful herd of several different breeds over the years. Some breeds didn't stay long, but some were permanent fixtures. Jen's favorite was her Satins. She had a competitive herd for almost 8 years. Mikey was hooked on Dutch. He had them so spoiled, that they were just rotten! He carried his favorite doe in his overalls day in, & day out.
After several years, they wanted to raise dairy goats. They sold off more than half of the rabbits to buy their first goats & equipment. They had to help rebuild the shed to accomodate their new babies, & truly loved it. Mom & Dad got into the goats, too, & we showed them for almost 10 years. Again, Mom was in charge of all things maternity. Little did the rest of the crew know, but they too, would have to learn the fine art of delivering babies.
In the late 90's, we had to move back to town. That meant selling all of our beloved animals. By now, the kids were a Sr. & Jr. in high shcool, & had jobs as well as 4H & FFA projects, so they didn't have much time for more animals. I, on the other hand, was going through major withdrawal.
We went to our county fair, & saw our first Mini Rex. Well, it didn't take long to get hooked on that fur & temperament! We bought our first pair, & we hit the ground running. We turned the double garage into a nice rabbitry in less than a week. We soon had about 10 MRs, & had started to show them. We joined ARBA, & our local club, Salt City RBA. By the end of '99, we had also joined our state MR club.
Now, our main breeds are Mini Rex in BEW, Lilac, & a few assorted other varieties; & our latest venture, is Mini Satins. We both have always loved Satin fur, & we don't have room for the big Satins, so these fit just perfect!
We have been the 4H leaders for the rabbit project since 1989. We run both the county fair & 4H fair rabbit shows., & have since '90. I think we are the only county left in Kansas that still has 2 fairs.
Now, all 3 of our grandbabies are starting to show their own bunnies. Christian, 8, has been to several shows, & helps Pappa Gary with the bunnies. He is learning fast, & loves every minute of it. Ellen, 10, is loving it too! She just started, but is hooked. Emilee, 7, can't go to as many shows. She was born with Spina Bifida, & spends loads of time in hospitals in Kansas City. She has had 28 surgeries in her short life, but it sure doesn't slow her down! She can handle a rabbit just as well as her brother, & does so every chance she gets. And, if she tells you to get out of her way, you better take heed...she has no problem running over people with her wheelchair!
Tuff is our bunny raiser. If we need to hand-raise babies, he's right there making sure we do it right. He loves cleaning up dirty faces after meals, & is a wonderful mother. He does get a bit possessive, & will growl & bite when I try to take the babies away from him. Good thing he's missing most of his front teeth! He is also a great babysitter for the grandkids, too! He thinks they belong to him, too!
Thanks for stoppin by! We always welcome the company!
Gary, Kathy & Tuff
We have retired as 4H leaders as of the end of August. After many years of being leaders for rabbit, goat, rocketry, and WAY too many other projects, we have handed the reins over to the younger crowd. We are still available for advice & general help...we couldn't just walk completely away! Now, we can focus on working with the kids & grandkids.
Please contact us at -
Gary & Kathy Rariden
McPherson, KS 67460
We would enjoy hearing from you!
Gal & her girls!
It probably wouldn't be here otherwise!