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March 2007 Newsletter
February 11, 2008
To: All Anoka County Rabbit Project Members
RE: 2008 Project Year March Newsletter
Hello everyone and WELCOME to the “NEW” 2008 project year for the Rabbit livestock project! I used
“NEW” because in reality we are continuing our very strong project into another calendar year. With all
of the different activities and opportunities available to our project members we really hope the quality of rabbits and our
competitiveness at the local and state levels continues.
The rabbit committee has not been idle since the 2007 State Fair, in fact there have been several meetings with lots of
decisions being made and issues worked through. Everyone in the project is encouraged to attend these meetings. Without
your input it is impossible to know what your thoughts and interests in this project are to keep our county & youth strong
at all levels including individually, county, state, and showmanship, as well as getting our newest youth members off to a
fantastic start in the wonderful world of rabbits.
Within this packet you will find several flyers of activities for experienced and new rabbit raisers, as well as dates
to remember, extremely important information on verifying your rabbits, and rules to show at the county fair – these
rules come from the State and MUST be followed – no exceptions can be made.
Also the last couple of years, the State Livestock & Rabbit Committees are really encouraging all 87 counties to put
more focus on market rabbits at the fairs and encourage our youth to show single fryer’s and meat pens. This is
an individual’s choice, no one is required to do this, but please remember – rabbits are a livestock animal,
therefore each exhibitor must have attended an Ethics Training in order to show at the County & State Fairs in 4H, regardless
of showing breed only or market rabbits as well. To assist those youth who wish to show market rabbits, a breeding timetable
has been developed by the Wright Family and is available to those who ask.
New members – as a group we want to make sure you get started strong and on the “right”
foot and avoid some of the mistakes we’ve all had. To help get you going, this year the State Rabbit Committee
is offering a spring clinic (flyer enclosed) that will answer most, if not all, of your questions & it is FREE. Alternatively,
feel free to attend a committee meeting and find out who the most active families are to answer your questions, and offer
support, encouragement, and direction.
Thanks,
Eric Wright
Rabbit Committee Secretary
Anoka County 4H Rabbit Project Newsletter, March, 2008.
This winter newsletter is intended to give you a brief overview of the events for the year and to let you know a few important
details of the project. Please keep this information handy and refer to it often for needed details and information throughout
the project year.
Project Requirements:
The 4H Rabbit Project is a livestock project. It is different from the Small Pet Project. The purpose of the project
is to learn rabbit care, distinction of breeds, breeding, raising rabbits, record keeping, showing rabbits, along with youth
development and applied life skills.
Rabbits MUST be Tattooed:
The Minnesota 4H Animal Science Show Requirements state that all rabbits must be tattooed in the left ear in order to
be shown at the County or State Fair Shows. This is a simple procedure that most breeders do routinely for identification
and record keeping. There will be 2 opportunities to have your rabbits tattooed – at our Counties Fun Show on April
27th and at the Spring Workshop Day on May 3rd (flyers enclosed).
ID Forms:
Your 4H Rabbit Ownership Affidavit form must be received at the County Extension Office by May 15th. If you do not turn
in this form by the deadline you WILL NOT be able to show your rabbit(s) at the fair! This is a STATE REQUIREMENT –
NO EXCEPTIONS!!! This requirement includes those showing in Cloverbuds. The form is included with this newsletter, but all
rabbits must be verified & a verifying team member MUST sign the bottom of the form. This form will be cross-referenced
when you check in your rabbit(s) on the day of the rabbit show at the fair. We strongly suggest that you include ALL of your
rabbits on this form. That way if your designated rabbit(s) die or are unshowable by fair registration time you can still
enter the fair with another rabbit. This year we are having a tattooing & verification clinic during the Spring Workshop
Day on May 3rd, a flyer is enclosed.
Staying Informed:
Due to cut backs in funding and the 4H newsletter no longer being mailed monthly a lot of information about the rabbit
project and County Rabbit events are e-mailed to project member’s. If you have not gotten any e-mails from Eric
Wright regarding the rabbit project in the last year, or are new members, then we need your e-mail address to keep you up
to date. PLEASE e-mail Eric @ soilwater73@netzero.com leave your e-mail address along with the project member’s
that will receive information with this e-mail address – put rabbit project in the subject line.
WEBSITE:
We do have an Anoka County 4H Rabbit Project website which was set up by one of our youth. This site contains many useful
items including a copy of the most recent rabbit newsletter & minutes from the last rabbit committee meeting. There are
also other tidbits of information and links to other helpful websites. Go to: http://anokarabbit.tripod.com
Ways to Learn:
We are going to have at least 2 opportunities for new & experienced members to learn and progress/advance within the
rabbit project. The first is the 4H State Rabbit Spring Clinic on April 12th, and another opportunity during the tattoo &
verification clinic on May 3rd. There could be other opportunities that will happen – make sure the Wright’s
have your e-mail so we can notify you when they occur.
Ethics Workshop:
The State of Minnesota REQUIRES that everyone take a Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics Training Workshop to qualify
to show at the County and State Fairs, this applies to EVERYONE including Cloverbuds. This workshop will only be offered
once in Anoka County. Please look for it in the newsletters that are sent out and contact the County Extension Office for
more information and to register for this workshop. If you are unable to attend, the Extension Office will be able to provide
dates & times for neighboring counties where this workshop can be taken. The information can also be found online at
www.extension.umn.edu/county or www.mn4h.org
Fun Show:
The Anoka County Rabbit Committee is again hosting an Open Youth Fun Show in 2008. The date is Sunday, April 27th, starting
at 12:00 Noon at the Anoka County Fairgrounds in the 4H building (flyer enclosed). This show is run similar to an ARBA sanctioned
show, but will also have some additional “classes”. Since this is an open show be sure to invite all
of your friends who have rabbits. Youth from across the state are also being invited to join us. We have had a very good
turnout for this show in the last few years. This is also an excellent opportunity to see different breeds and possibly purchase
new rabbits for your project – just in time to get them verified! We will need some help in registrations, raffle
table, lunch counter, and show clerks. This is our primary fundraiser for the Anoka Co. Rabbit Committee, and as such we
are asking that each family in the Rabbit Project in Anoka Co. bring something for the raffle table. Please contact either
Tony Paulus @ 763-434-3735 or Eric Wright @ 763-434-3075 to let us know where you can help & what you might be able to
bring for the raffle. These proceeds are utilized to help defray the costs of attending the State Fair for those youth who
win a trip.
Anoka Co. Rabbit Committee:
This a small group of youth and parents that get together a few times throughout the project year and make decisions &
plans for the county’s activities. The next meeting is March 20 at the Activities Center @ 6:30 PM.
Anoka County Fair:
Premium Book & Fair Entries;
You will receive your 4H Premium book in May or June. This lists what “lots” or categories you can
show in each project area. Rabbit “lots” are divided up by age of the rabbit and size of the breed.
In these “lots” the rabbits are judged according to the Standard of Perfection. Cross-bred rabbits can
be shown at the county fair, however, they are not eligible for trips to the State Fair. NO rabbit may be shown that has
not been ID’d or verified by the May 15th deadline date. Exceptions to this are the single fryers, meat pens, and
doe & litter lots discussed below.
Each individual that exhibits, or shows, a rabbit MUST participate in the showmanship class for their age group. Showmanship
classes are judged on how well you handle your rabbit, knowledge of your rabbit, & rabbits in general. Cloverbuds have
a separate “lot” that allows them to show / exhibit a rabbit & includes showmanship. Each individual
will also participate in an interview about the rabbit project – this is separate from Showmanship & does not
require pre-registration.
You may also show a poster based on the Rabbit Project – SIZE matters – the poster must be vertical
and can only be 14 inches wide by 22 inches long (14”x22”).
Fair entries must be into the Extension office by July 1st, 2008. Any entries received after this date are not eligible
to show during the Anoka Co. Fair.
Rabbit Show & Encampment;
The rabbit show this year is on July 21st, and will start at 12:00 o’clock (noon). Rabbits must be checked
in prior to the start of the show & MUST remain on the County Fair Grounds until released after 6:00PM on Wednesday July
23rd. Check-in of rabbits is currently scheduled to start at 10:00 AM with interviews going from 10 – 11:30 AM.
During the 2007 County Fair there were over 100 rabbits shown – the judging could take 5 to 6 hours to complete.
We are trying to secure 2 judges for the show, this should help in keeping the show time to a minimum.
While the rabbits are encamped at the fair grounds each exhibitor is responsible for the care and feeding of their rabbit(s)
each day it is at the fair. The rabbit committee is looking into getting a freezer to keep at the grounds to provide a place
to store ice to help keep rabbits cool since this part of summer can become uncomfortably hot and we must look out for the
welfare of the animals. Each exhibitor is responsible to keep the animals cool & healthy, the freezer is for short term
storage – ice will not be provided.
More details on this will be in the next newsletter, e-mails, and county bulletins.
Lots & Classes:
All breed lots: Each person may exhibit up to 2 animals in each “lot” – these lots are
based on the age of the rabbit & whether they are a 4-class or 6-class rabbit. “Lots” are Jr. 4 or
6 class, Intermediate 6 class, and Sr. 4 or 6 class. There is a maximum of 6 rabbits can be shown in these lots, regardless
if you raise & show both 4 & 6 class breeds.
Doe & Litter Lot: This is a special fun class that is only available for the Anoka County Fair – not State
Fair trip eligible. The Doe is shown with a litter of kits, and the doe can not be shown separate. The kits MUST be between
the ages of 6 weeks to 8 weeks. Because of the timing – only the doe is required to be ID’d & verified
by the May 15th deadline.
Single Fryer & Meat Pen Lot: The doe giving birth to the fryer/pen must have been ID’d & verified by
the May 15th deadline in order for the single fryer or meat pen to be shown. Maximum fryer or pen age is 70 days (10 weeks),
and must weigh between 3-5 lbs. A meat pen is 3 fryers, each less than 70 days & 3-5 lbs. These market rabbits are judged
on uniformity & ability to produce meat. This class is eligible for a State Fair Trip – however, to accept
the trip the exhibitor must have another fryer or pen litter available that will be the correct age/weight requirements at
the time of the State Fair.
Promotional Table:
Each year, as a public service, we have a promotional table within the rabbit/poultry barn staffed with 1 or 2 youth or
adults available to answer questions & allow the public to pet your rabbit(s). Each shift consists of 2 hours in length
during the busiest traffic times of the fair. These shifts are: Tuesday 7/22 from 4-6 PM & 6-8 PM, and Wednesday 7/23
from 4-6 PM. If possible it would also be nice to have this service available during the open class rabbit encampment that
goes from Thursday 7/24 through Sunday 7/27. Sign up for a shift at rabbit check-in 7/21.
Barn Monitors:
Please also consider monitoring the Rabbit/Poultry barn during the animals stay at the fair. Each day the animals are
there we need to have 1-2 people in the barn at all times watching after the animals safety, well-being, & needs. This
is especially important with the Doe & Litter’s & single fryers/meat pens with their age and for all rabbits
there if the temperature gets too hot.
Resources & Contacts:
If you have any questions about the rabbit project, where to find / purchase equipment, purchase rabbits, or general knowledge
& health questions there are several people able & willing to help. Give these folks in our county a try:
Tony Paulus Donna Abel Pam Iserka Karleen Gehrig
763-434-8431 763-434-3735 763-753-2753 763-755-5946
Eric & Heicke Wright Anoka Co. Extension Office (project info. only)
763-434-3075 763-755-6950
References:
One book you will really appreciate having is the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standard of Perfection.
Glossaries of terms, information on illnesses and what you need to know about each breed. A “MUST HAVE”
to show animals & purchase quality animals – this is the sole reference judges use when evaluating a rabbit.
Requirements for showing in the Rabbit Project at the Anoka County Fair – 2008
1.) ALL exhibitors must be enrolled in the rabbit project by the enrollment deadline of May 15th.
2.) ALL Rabbits are required to have a new “Minnesota 4H Rabbit Ownership Affidavit” on file at the
Extension Office by May 15th of this year. This form must be signed by a member of the Anoka County Rabbit Verifying Team.
3.) ALL rabbits MUST be permanently and legibly tattooed in the animal’s left ear. This tattoo must correspond
to the animal identified on the ownership affidavit for that exhibitor’s family.
4.) ALL rabbits MUST be owned by May 15th, 2008. For a fryer or Meat pen, the 4H’er must own the doe producing
the fryers/pen by May 15th.
5.) If a 4H’er cannot own their own rabbit, breeding rabbits may be leased. Fryer’s & meat pens
CANNOT be leased. Leased animals must be identified on the ownership affidavit with a copy of the lease agreement signed
on the reverse side.
6.) NOTHING less than 70 days old will be accepted except fryer’s and Doe & Litter class. The Doe must
be ID’d on the ownership affidavit.
7.) ALL rabbits must be pre-registered by the registration deadline (July 1st, 2008)
8.) ALL exhibitors must have completed the Livestock Ethics Training, including Cloverbuds.
9.) ALL rabbit posters must be pre-registered by the deadline (July 1st) and checked in at the rabbit barn from 10 –
11 AM on entry day (July 21). Exhibitor must be present for judging during the rabbit show.
10.) ALL exhibitors MUST check in their rabbits at the rabbit check-in from 10 – 11:30 AM on July 21st.
11.) ALL Exhibitors MUST participate in a brief interview about the rabbit project between 10-11:30 AM on entry day.
12.) Showmanship is Mandatory for ALL exhibitors.
13.) Each exhibitor will carry their own rabbit to the judging table & show it while it is being judged. An adult
or youth leader must carry a Cloverbud’s rabbit to the judging table & remain behind the Cloverbud in case assistance
with the rabbit is needed.
14.) Rabbits MUST stay in the assigned cages in the rabbit barn throughout the whole encampment, and MUST be picked up
& the area cleaned during the designated check-out time.
15.) Breed MUST be identified on pre-registration form.
* Items 1 through 8 MUST be met to be permitted to show at the Anoka County Fair. Any exhibitors and animals, which
do not meet the above requirements, will receive no higher than a red ribbon and will not be eligible for the State Fair Line
up.
* State Fair trip Winners MUST meet the above requirements plus: Crossbred rabbits ARE NOT eligible and the 4H’er
must have completed the 6th grade or higher by the spring of the current year and be currently enrolled in 4H.
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