how do you show a rabbit for 4-h?

Question

i have a paliomino rabbit at home and i wonder if any one knew the stepps

Answer 1

Sure. Now, showing 4H usually means that you work on your rabbit project (learning how to handle and care for your rabbit) with the culminating event being showing at a rabbit show at your county fair which may be an ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) sanctioned event..

My children do 4H but we ALSO are very active in showing our rabbits at ARBA sanctioned shows all over our area. you can show as often as you want to that way.

We generally travel to shows that are 40 minutes to 2 hours away from our home in the outskirts of a big city. We do this throughout the year. My boys love it.

You do not have to be a member of 4H to show your rabbit at an ARBA event but I recommend it. You will learn loads on how to take really good care of your rabbit. It is a youth run, goal oriented organization. There are adult advisors and volunteers who will be your project leaders. It's not just animals, either but computers, cooking, fashion, first aid, community service, - just about anything you can think of. You choose what you want to do. In California it is a Universtiy of California program divided up by counties and then by clubs within the county.

BTW, you don't need a pedigree or need to be a member of any club to show your rabbit at an ARBA rabbit show but are likely to see 4H members there.

So... to enter your rabbit in a show:

1. Find a show near your area. Search on the ARBA website.

2. Contact the show secretary and ask her to send you (email is common) a show catalog.

3. Check the show catalog for the date, address, and start time of the show. Find the DEADLINE for entries listed in the catalog.

4. Fill out the entry form (contact the show secretary if you need help filling it out). Send in your completed form via snail mail or email (with just the info) with your money or pay the day of the show if it is allowed. You'll have to get there early.

5. Wait for an email confimration from the show secreatary (email) to make sure she got you entry and that the entry information (open or youth, breed, group, class, variety, and ear #) is correct.

5 1/2. Get the inside of your rabbit's LEFTear tattooed with the same ear # you wrote down on your entry form (5 letters/numbers or less). If you don't know anyone who can do this call the secretary and she will do what she can to help you make sure it gets done before you have to put your rabbit up on the table. Call her well before the show.

6. Groom your rabbit the day before the show and get together everything you'll need (grooming supplies, camping chair, carrier, food/water dishes, food, handful of hay, and water from home).

7. Get up before the roosters do to get yourself to the show on time.

8. Check in at the secretaries table. Tell them you've never been to a rabbit show before. They may have an assigned show mentor to help you out. In any case, they will help you.

9. Find the judges table where the Palaminos are going to be judged at and camp out near it. There are usually two shows in a day - show A and show B. Show B is USUALLY after lunch. Find out where the show B table is located, too.

10. Enjoy meeting and talking to everyone and seeing some very beautiful rabbits. Tell everyone you are new and you will make some very nice aquaintences for sure. Enjoy.

Tips: Bring some spending money. There is sure to be breakfast and lunch available at a snack table. You'll probably want to buy tickets for the traditional raffle, too.

If you are already a member of 4H, your rabbit project leader should be able to help you, too. If you ARE the rabbit project leader then the above info should be very sufficient to get you started.

Too much info? Sorry. Find a show, contact the secretary, she'll help you out. :)

Below links:

1.ARBA - find a show near you
2.National 4H website
3.National Palamino website
4.Brightside Woolies Rabbitry - Check out the articles archive page. Teresa Wooden has really good articles including choosing a show rabbit, rabbit show lingo, tips for shows, and other really cool articles.

Answer 2

The main points are to care for it well. Proper feeding, clean cage etc. Basic stuff. To show a rabbit you also need to handle it often so that it gets used to being picked up and held. The judge will not like getting scratched. There is little grooming to be done on a rabbit but if the nails are too long or ragged looking a little smoothing with emery board and wiping with mineral oil will make them look better. Rabbits naturally chew to keep their teeth in shape. A hardwood block in the cage will help. Also may keep them from chewing on the cage. I found that a little salt will encourage using the block. Also stray hairs may be trimmed. Otherwise not much to do.

Answer 3

since i show rabbits in 4-H, i'd say you would first need to find a club to join. then you have to ask your leader if the rabbit is capable of showing. there are normally two classes in rabbit 4-h ---- breed and showmanship. the class- breed is judged on the body, conformation, etc. of your rabbit in it's breed. usually in breed, you do not need to know any steps.the class - showmanship is how well you remember the steps, answer the questions, etc. the showmanship steps are to long and complex to write on online, but your leader will help you. so the main thing you must know is to find a club. hope this helps and you get a blue ribbon, and best of luck to you to find a great club!!!!