Rabbit & Cavy
Species-Chair:
Lisa Ralph * r4rabbitry@yahoo.com * 231-570-048
Lisa Ralph * r4rabbitry@yahoo.com * 231-570-048
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IMPORTANT DATES & INFO |
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Registration Due |
May 4th |
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MARKET CLASS |
POSSESSION DATE |
AGE AT FAIR |
MINIMUM WEIGHT |
MAXIMUM WEIGHT |
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Meat Pen (3) |
May 1st |
Bred: May 1st Birth: May 29th |
3 pounds (per rabbit) |
6 pounds (per rabbit) |
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Single Fryer |
May 1st |
Bred: May 1st Birth: May 29th |
3 pounds |
6 pounds |
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Single Roaster |
April 17th |
Bred: January 9th Birth: February 10th |
5 pounds |
None |
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Record Book (Both Market and show
only) |
Required |
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Thank You Note |
Required |
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Welcome to the 2020 Rabbit and Cavy Program
This year is going to be filled with learning and fun. I am excited to be leading this program again this year. For many of you, your rabbit or cavy are not just your pets. They may be your reading buddy, roommates, secret keeper and best friend. So learning new things about them will help you keep them happy and healthy for years to come. Every year, I even learn just a bit more about these animals! I have had rabbits for almost 30 years. From new feeds, housing equipment standards and new breeds, it can be a challenge at times, but like you I love to learn! This program, I hope will help give you more information to better care for and enjoy your friends.
With the wonderful rollercoaster winter we are having, please watch your rabbits closely for signs of illness. Because of the shifts in temperatures, both inside and outside rabbits and cavy may become ill. If you notice things like sneezing, not eating or being not themselves, I will recommend you to tell your parents and see a vet. I am not a vet and I rather have a professional look at your pet than to tell you something wrong, especially since I have not seen them. The vet can give you the information that will help your pet and maybe medications if needed.
I know that school takes priority right now, but care for your rabbit must not stop. Things like clipped nails and clean bedding or cage is very important:
1. .Clip nails regularly. Unclipped nails result in nails being snagged on wire cage bottoms and pulled out, or worse, your animal is scratching its eye and injuring itself or even blinds themselves. A pulled nail may not grow back. This would be bad if you plan to show your animal in breed classed either at the fair or at an ARBA show. It is an automatic DQ. Some nails can curl under and puncture the pads on their feet if allowed to get too long.
2. A clean living area is important all year, but during the winter is harder because of school, sports. If your pen is outside, pee and poop build up because of it freezing to the cage. Cleaning as much as possible of both inside and outside cages will help prevent sore hocks and some respiratory issues.
3. Clean water dishes, unfrozen water, and clean food dishes is a must year around. I tell my kids “if you won’t eat or drink from it yourself, then it probably needs to be clean”.
Now to turning our focus toward fair. It seems like a long way away, but those few short months will fly by. So the following will be some information on projects and some of the information you will need to help it be a successful fair week.
In 2019 I introduced 2 new market projects;
-The first is a roaster class. This is the easier of the 3 market projects that are offered in the rabbit program. You can purchase an 8-week old rabbit from a meat rabbit breeder and raise it till fair. This is a 6-month project, meaning that the rabbit cannot be over 6 months of age on check in day. So for the 2020 fair, this project can be born any time after February 8, 2020.
-Pen of 3 and the Single Fryer projects are a little more difficult. These two projects require you to have a buck and doe meat breed, breed on a specific day and have a 70-day old rabbit on check in day. For the 2020 market of these two projects, this breeding date is May 2. This will make it birth on the 30 of May and the 70 days of growth needed to reach market weight.
REGISTRATION DATES FOR THIS PROGRAM, BREED AND MARKET IS THE JUNE MEETING. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
POSSESSION DATE FOR THESE PROJECTS ARE:
Breed rabbits and show only May 1 2020
Roaster projects April 11, 2020
Pen and fryer May 2, 2020
Per Fair and Northwest Michigan Livestock rules, there is absolutely no selling of animals outside of the 4-H market auction on Thursday August 13. This includes any animals entered in Open classes.
All animal tag numbers are needed by June 30th.
I am looking forward to a great year and meeting everyone.
With the wonderful rollercoaster winter we are having, please watch your rabbits closely for signs of illness. Because of the shifts in temperatures, both inside and outside rabbits and cavy may become ill. If you notice things like sneezing, not eating or being not themselves, I will recommend you to tell your parents and see a vet. I am not a vet and I rather have a professional look at your pet than to tell you something wrong, especially since I have not seen them. The vet can give you the information that will help your pet and maybe medications if needed.
I know that school takes priority right now, but care for your rabbit must not stop. Things like clipped nails and clean bedding or cage is very important:
1. .Clip nails regularly. Unclipped nails result in nails being snagged on wire cage bottoms and pulled out, or worse, your animal is scratching its eye and injuring itself or even blinds themselves. A pulled nail may not grow back. This would be bad if you plan to show your animal in breed classed either at the fair or at an ARBA show. It is an automatic DQ. Some nails can curl under and puncture the pads on their feet if allowed to get too long.
2. A clean living area is important all year, but during the winter is harder because of school, sports. If your pen is outside, pee and poop build up because of it freezing to the cage. Cleaning as much as possible of both inside and outside cages will help prevent sore hocks and some respiratory issues.
3. Clean water dishes, unfrozen water, and clean food dishes is a must year around. I tell my kids “if you won’t eat or drink from it yourself, then it probably needs to be clean”.
Now to turning our focus toward fair. It seems like a long way away, but those few short months will fly by. So the following will be some information on projects and some of the information you will need to help it be a successful fair week.
In 2019 I introduced 2 new market projects;
-The first is a roaster class. This is the easier of the 3 market projects that are offered in the rabbit program. You can purchase an 8-week old rabbit from a meat rabbit breeder and raise it till fair. This is a 6-month project, meaning that the rabbit cannot be over 6 months of age on check in day. So for the 2020 fair, this project can be born any time after February 8, 2020.
-Pen of 3 and the Single Fryer projects are a little more difficult. These two projects require you to have a buck and doe meat breed, breed on a specific day and have a 70-day old rabbit on check in day. For the 2020 market of these two projects, this breeding date is May 2. This will make it birth on the 30 of May and the 70 days of growth needed to reach market weight.
REGISTRATION DATES FOR THIS PROGRAM, BREED AND MARKET IS THE JUNE MEETING. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
POSSESSION DATE FOR THESE PROJECTS ARE:
Breed rabbits and show only May 1 2020
Roaster projects April 11, 2020
Pen and fryer May 2, 2020
Per Fair and Northwest Michigan Livestock rules, there is absolutely no selling of animals outside of the 4-H market auction on Thursday August 13. This includes any animals entered in Open classes.
All animal tag numbers are needed by June 30th.
I am looking forward to a great year and meeting everyone.
Fair Week Expectations
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Decorate and prepare pens with sawdust.
Give your rabbit or cavy a good bath before coming to the Fairgrounds.
SATURDAY
Bring your animal to the Fairgrounds.
Check in is in the Parking lot in front of the main entrance.
NO RABBIT OR CAVY PERMITTED TO ENTER THE GROUNDS WITHOUT BEING CHECKED FIRST
NO ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT TAGGED WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER
Attend mandatory Barn Meeting
Attend mandatory Meeting in Grandstands.
SUNDAY
Green/White Market Card must be up in your pen.
Be ready for showmanship at 8;30am
Back tags will be available in the DA tent
Know your class and watch the board in the arena
Sunday is all about you and your knowledge of your project.
Be sure your rabbit and cavy are clean for breed judging on Monday
MONDAY
It’s all about your rabbit and cavy breed day. This will be in the Rosa arena
WEDNESDAY
Rabbit quiz bowl. Come join us for fun and prizes
THURSDAY
AUCTION DAY
Remember to thank your buyer after you put your rabbits away.
A small gift and thank you card can be given to your buyer.
GREEN /WHITE MARKET CARD--add your buyer and price per lb.
Sit in the arena and cheer on your friends.
SATURDAY
Leaders Only--You may pick up your market papers in the back of the barn.
SUNDAY
Before you can be checked out by me.
Clean all hair and food and poop off cages
Clean and sweep under the cages
Decorate and prepare pens with sawdust.
Give your rabbit or cavy a good bath before coming to the Fairgrounds.
SATURDAY
Bring your animal to the Fairgrounds.
Check in is in the Parking lot in front of the main entrance.
NO RABBIT OR CAVY PERMITTED TO ENTER THE GROUNDS WITHOUT BEING CHECKED FIRST
NO ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT TAGGED WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER
Attend mandatory Barn Meeting
Attend mandatory Meeting in Grandstands.
SUNDAY
Green/White Market Card must be up in your pen.
Be ready for showmanship at 8;30am
Back tags will be available in the DA tent
Know your class and watch the board in the arena
Sunday is all about you and your knowledge of your project.
Be sure your rabbit and cavy are clean for breed judging on Monday
MONDAY
It’s all about your rabbit and cavy breed day. This will be in the Rosa arena
WEDNESDAY
Rabbit quiz bowl. Come join us for fun and prizes
THURSDAY
AUCTION DAY
Remember to thank your buyer after you put your rabbits away.
A small gift and thank you card can be given to your buyer.
GREEN /WHITE MARKET CARD--add your buyer and price per lb.
Sit in the arena and cheer on your friends.
SATURDAY
Leaders Only--You may pick up your market papers in the back of the barn.
SUNDAY
Before you can be checked out by me.
Clean all hair and food and poop off cages
Clean and sweep under the cages
Tips and Suggestions:
- About a week or two before fair start them all on electrolytes, just a very small amount at first, then increase it about every other day. They should be almost to a half & half mix by the time fair is here. This is only a suggestion but will help with stress.
- Use a fan to cool off the barn. You may want to try ice bottles if it gets really hot. They don’t have to lay on the bottles, if they are near them it will help cool them down.
- Play a radio. This will help them get use to noise.
- Flies & bugs can be kept at bay by using fly strips. They also have sprays available that can be used for small animals. Be sure to check the label before using them!
- Start handling your rabbits & cavies now. They need to get used to being put in different positions. The more you handle them the easier it will be to do showmanship later. Practice turning them over.
Things you may need to bring the fair:
Wheelbarrows
Rakes
Your Food for your critter
Shovels
Extra Feeders & Waters
Extra Feed (in case you spill some)
Scissors
Tape
Markers, Pens, & Pencils
Staple Guns & Staples
Hammers
(and anything else you can think of that you may need)
Be Prepared!!!
Breeding Time
Breeding time is right around the corner. It’s time to check over all your bucks and does that you plan on for breeding this summer. Are they healthy, are their nails all trimmed, are they clean? Are their cages clean? What you use for breeding stock is the foundation of your entire stock.
Make sure all feeders & waters are clean.
Start counting day. Are you ready?
Did you check & make sure all your next boxes are clean and in good repair? Do you have enough straw?
Make sure you check your does regularly, remove any & all dead kits, this is very important for the health of the entire litter & the does.
Make sure the doe pulled enough fur to cover her litter. Even if it’s hot the kits need this covering. As the kits get older they are more active.
MORE TIPS:
- The main focus should be on the health of your breeding stock, Bucks and Does.
- You will have problems with your breeding stock if they are unhealthy to begin with.
- Check them all over carefully They should all be in quality condition.
- For those with Market Projects your Does should all be in possession on May 1st, with a breeding Buck close at hand.
- Making sure that your Rabbits have the correct amount of daylight, either artificially or naturally.
- These precautions should be followed for those who wish to Breed for Fair. Remember that kits must be 8 weeks or older for Fair.
- Check all nest boxes, making sure they are clean and sanitary. Have a supply of clean. Hay for the boxes before the Does kindle.
- Keep your eyes on all your Does that are bred. If they are bred for the first time especially. Some does go by the book, others don't. Just be aware of any quirks. I feed mine a raw hot dog the day before they are to kindle. This is believed to keep them from eating the babies.
- Watch their diet, they should not be given extra treats or food because they may be expecting a litter. Either before or directly after. Gradually add extra food as the Does are producing milk. Clean water always.
- Check nest boxes each day for any dead kits and remove them. Leave the rest alone, they do not need to be handled after birth. Let the Does take care of them. Your job is to keep the nest box as clean as possible. Let the Mom raise the litter.
- You may need extra information check the ARBA or the Michigan branch. MSRBA. Check your local Library.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the fair this year, we plan on having all kinds of fun! Keep Smiling!!!
| MI 4-H Rabbit Snapshot |