WASECA COUNTY 4-H 4-H Rabbit Project Help Sheet (2020 Edition)

Welcome to the 4-H Rabbit Project in Waseca County! We want you to have a great experience as you learn skills you can use your whole life. This information sheet is a way for you to learn more about how to get started in the project, as well as give you additional resources and people to contact when you need help.

ANIMAL BIRTHDATES All animals must be a pure-bred breed recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association - https://www.arba.net/). They must also be an unaltered male or female rabbit.

 Fryers (Market Rabbits) - Must be 70 days or younger (the mother needs to be owned and ID’ed by the May 15th deadline)

IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS  A letter outlining identification requirements and how to complete identification is mailed to all project members after April 1. They will also be posted online at www.extension.umn.edu/county/Waseca

 All animals need to be selected and owned by May 15th. If you want to tattoo your own  All animals need to have a permanent ID tattoo in the rabbits, there is a kit available left ear (the rabbit’s left ear, not as you are looking at from the Extension Office that you it) that along with the breed, gender and birthdate are can check out for a few days.

reported on the ID form submitted by May 15th.

WHERE TO GET ANIMALS Rabbits can be bought from breeders – there are many rabbit shows in the spring that also have rabbits available for purchase. Be sure to check out Facebook, craigslist, and www.arba.net – the ARBA sponsors several shows where you can purchase rabbits.

LEASING If you can’t purchase an animal, there is always the option to “lease” from a breeder or even another 4-Her. Leasing is essentially borrowing the animal, but a great way to get started in a project. For more details on leasing, check out https://extension.umn.edu/projects-and-more/leasing-animal

One of the most helpful resources for the Rabbit Project is the American Rabbit Breeder Association’s “Standard of Perfection” book. We have a copy of the book at the Extension Office for you to check out, or you can purchase your own. © 2020 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-2116. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer waste material.

RABBIT “DIVISIONS” – 4 CLASS AND 6 CLASS BREEDS Rabbit breeds are divided into two broad categories called 4 class and 6 class breeds. This terminology is based on how rabbits are exhibited at competitive shows.  Smaller rabbit breeds are divided into four show classes (Junior Buck and Junior Doe – under 6 months of age, Senior Buck and Senior Doe – over 6 months of age)

 Larger rabbit breeds are divided into six show classes (Junior Buck and Junior Doe – under 6 months of age, Intermediate Buck and Intermediate Doe – 6 to 8 months of age, Senior Buck and Senior Doe – over 6 months of age)

Below is a list of breeds and how they are divided into these divisions. This list may not represent the complete list of rabbit breeds at a show. 4 CLASS BREEDS American Fuzzy Lop Florida White Lionhead Satin Angora American Sable French Angora Mini Lop Standard Chinchilla Belgian Hare Harliquin Mini Rex Silver Britannia Petite Havana Mini Satin Silver Marten Dutch Himalayan Netherland Dwarf Tan Dwarf Hotot Holland Lop Polish Thrianta English Angora Jersey Wooly Rex English Spot Lilac Rhinelander

6 CLASS BREEDS American Champagne d' Argent Flemish Giant New Zealand American Chinchilla Checkered Giant French Lop Palomino Beveren Cinnamon Giant Angora Satin Blanc de Hotot Creme d' Argent Giant Chinchilla Silver Fox Californian English Lop

Information was obtained from: http://www.rexrabbitsusa.com/breedreview.htm PROPER HOUSING A rabbit hutch with small wire on the bottom 1/2”x1” and 1”x2” on the sides will protect your rabbit from other animals. It is also good to make sure they have a place to get out of the wind if they are kept outside. Good ventilation, proper sanitation and proper nutrition are key. Make sure there is always enough water available.

SUPPLIES In addition to food pellets, hay, water, you will need the following supplies for your rabbit:  Rabbit brush  Feed dish and water bottles  Toe nail clipper (must be a dog toenail clipper, human clipper will crush the nail)  Flour (used to stop bleeding if blood line is nicked while clipping toenails)

COUNTY FAIR Preparing for the show  Arrive early to get your animal ready for the show  Know what class you are in  Wear proper show clothes – A white long sleeve shirt, black pants or jeans, and leather boots/closed-toed shoes. Long hair should be pulled back. What to bring You’ll want to bring the following items – and be sure they are labeled with your name:  Small broom and dust pan  Shovel  Feed and water dishes  Small show box for equipment/tack  For hot days at the fair, you may want to bring frozen bottles of water – laying a frozen bottle of water down in your rabbit’s cage will help your rabbit keep cool.  Pet carrier to transport your rabbits to and from the show arena on show day (optional)  Bedding (wood shavings) for rabbit exhibitors is provided! Herdsmanship guidelines During the fair you’ll want to be sure your rabbits cage is clean and the area around kept neat. Animals should have adequate feed and water. They need to have water at all times and should have evidence of adequate care. You will need to bring your own feed and water dishes. Water bottles must be inside of cages. Keep the aisle behind and around your animal free of manure and shavings by sweeping a few times a day. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  https://www.arba.net/  http://4-h.org/parents/curriculum/rabbit/  http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Rabbit%20Basics%20for%20the%20BeginnerFINAL.pdf  http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Instructions%20for%20Tattooing%20Rabbits.pdf  http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/4-H%20Rabbit%20Showmanship.pdf  https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/resource002537_rep3753.pdf  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/sites/www.extension.iastate.edu/files/4h/Publications/4H662rabbitsrabbit srabbits.pdf  http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/rabbit/showmanship.shtml  http://pubs.wsu.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13417&SeriesCode=&CategoryID=283&Keyword  http://articles.extension.org/pages/29937/how-to-show-a-rabbit-in-4-h-showmanship#.UqrtzuIa7kc  http://estore.osu-extension.org/Rabbit-Resource-Handbook-for-Breeding-Market-and-Pet-Rabbit-Projects- P208.aspx

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Waseca County 4-H Staff: Amy Nelson, 4-H Extension Educator, 507-835-0600, [email protected]

Waseca County 4-H Rabbit Project Superintendents:  Matthew Feldkamp – 5047-461-5763  Karley Hamilton – 507-363-4413,  Joe Feldkamp – 507-308-4896, [email protected] [email protected]  Jennifer Hamilton – 507-837-2509, [email protected] Adapted from a publication created by Stearns County 4-H Volunteers - http://www3.extension.umn.edu/sites/default/files/download/Species%20Guides.pdf

© 2020 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to 612-624-2116. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer waste material.