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

Welcome to the 4-H Rabbit Project in McLeod 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 purebred breed recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association – https://arba.net/recognized-breeds). They must also be an unaltered male or female rabbit.

• Fryers (Market Rabbits) - Must be 70 days or younger at fair time (the mother needs to be owned and ID’d by the June 1 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/mcleod

• All animals need to be selected and owned by June 1.

• All animals need to have a permanent ID tattoo in the left If you want to tattoo your own ear (the rabbit’s left ear, not as you are looking at it) that rabbits, there is a kit available along with the breed, gender and birthdate are reported on from the Extension Office that the ID form submitted by June 1. you can check out for a few days.

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 http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-H/projects/animal- science/docs/Lease-Fact-Sheet.pdf 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.

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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. Visit https://arba.net/recognized-breeds for a full list of recognized breeds. 4 Class Breeds (Small Breeds) Dutch, Florida White, Holland Lop, Jersey Wooly, Mini Lop, Mini Rex, Mini Satin, Netherland Dwarf, Polish, Rex, American Fuzzy Lop, American Sable, Dwarf Hotot, English Angora, French Angora, Satin Angora, Belgian Hare, Britannia Petite, Standard Chinchilla, English Spot, Harlequin, Havana, Himalayan, Lilac, Lion Head, Rhinelander, Silver, Silver Marten, Thrianta and Tan. 6 Class Breeds (Large Breeds) New Zealand, Satin, American Giant Angora, Bevern, Californian, Champagne Dargent, Checkered Giant, American Chinchilla, Giant Chinchilla, Cinnamon, Crème Dargent, Flemish Giant, French Lop, Hotot, English Lop, Palomino and Silver Fox.

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 • Small show or tool box for equipment • 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), feed, feed dishes, water dishes for rabbit exhibitors is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own, if you’d like. Herdsmanship guidelines During the fair, you’ll want to be sure your rabbit’s 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 care. You may to bring your own feed and water dishes. Water bottles must be inside of cages. Keep the aisle around your animal free of manure and shavings by sweeping. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES • http://www3.extension.umn.edu/sites/default/files/download/Showmanship-Guide.pdf • https://www.arba.net/ • http://4-h.org/parents/curriculum/rabbit/ • http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Rabbit%20Basics%20for%20the%20BeginnerFIN AL.pdf • http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Instructions%20for%20Tattooing%20Rabbits.pd f • 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/4H 662rabbitsrabbitsrabbits.pdf • http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/rabbit/showmanship.shtml • http://pubs.wsu.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13417&SeriesCode=&CategoryID=283&Keywor d • 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: McLeod County 4-H Staff: Darcy Cole, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, 320-484-4305, [email protected] McLeod County 4-H Rabbit Project Superintendents: • Melissa Dietel – 320-510-2887, [email protected] • Rita Quast – 320-395-2075, [email protected]

Adapted from a publication created by Amy Nelson, Waseca County 4-H & Stearns County 4-H Volunteers