ARRIVAL DEADLINE - All rabbit exhibits must be in place by 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7.
IDENTIFICATION - It is recommended that all rabbits, except fryers, have permanent ID numbers or names in their ear with a pin tattoo pliers and tattoo ink. ID numbers or names along with class information must be supplied to superintendent at time of entry. No individual rabbit may show in more than one class. Identification for State Fair - Refer to the Nebraska State Fair Animal Identification Guidelines
YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS (YQCA) - All 4-H youth enrolled in livestock projects are required to complete annual quality assurance training through YQCA.
NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER EXHIBITOR - A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 8 rabbits.
DRESS CODE – see Livestock/Animal General Rules.
CARE CODE - The 4-Her is responsible to feed, water and keep track of their rabbits during the Fair (it is best to label the cage). Each exhibitor must bring their own feed and water bowls. Clean-up during and after the fair is also the exhibitor’s responsibility.
RELEASE FROM SHOW - Rabbits will be released after 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 10 and must be removed from the barn by 8:00 am on Monday, August 11. Clean-up at time of release on Sunday is the exhibitor’s responsibility.
RABBIT SHOWMANSHIP
Champion and Reserve Champion banners will be awarded to the first and second place purples in each division. Purple, Blue, Red and White ribbons will be awarded to all participants.
- Information on rabbit showmanship is found at go.unl.edu/ne4hrabbit and also from the Extension Office.
- The participant may use any rabbit they choose, so long as it was raised and trained by the 4-H member.
- Basis for judging showmanship is based on grooming and training of the rabbit and the appearance and behavior of the exhibitor. The exhibitor must vocally explain the steps in their routine and the merit of the rabbit. Primarily showmanship is the skill of the exhibitor in presenting and explaining the rabbit before the judge. The excellence of the rabbit is not considered in scoring.
- Maximum length of showmanship presentation is four minutes. Exhibitors will be timed.
- The judge may or may not ask questions of the exhibitor at the close of the routine.
- See Rabbit Showmanship Scoresheet.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $8.00; Blue, $6.00; Red, $4.00; White, $2.00
- Senior Rabbit Showmanship (14 & over on December 31 of previous year)
- Junior Rabbit Showmanship (11-12-13 on December 31 of previous year)
- Novice Rabbit Showmanship (8-9-10 on December 31 of previous year)
Showmanship Order: Senior, Junior & Novice
BEST DRESSED RABBIT CLASS
PREMIUMS: First, $2.00; All Others-Participation, $1.00
The class is for fun - exhibitors are encouraged to use their imagination to design a costume for their 4-H rabbit. The attire should emphasize the personality of the animal. Limit of one entry per exhibitor.
RABBIT SHOW
PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00.
TROPHIES: See Knox County Trophy and Award List
MARKET RABBIT CLASSES
- Single Fryer - Not over 10 weeks of age. Minimum weight of 3½ lbs; maximum weight of 5½ lbs.
- Meat Pen - age limit 10 weeks. Minimum weight of 3½ pounds each; maximum weight of 5½ pounds each. Meat pens shall consist of three rabbits, all of the same breed and variety. Broken group meat pens must also be of the same variety. A meat pen does not necessarily have to come from the same litter. Rabbits exhibited in Meat Pen cannot be exhibited in individual breed class.
- Roaster – All rabbits entered in this class must be under 6 months of age. Minimum weight of 5½ pounds; maximum weight 9 pounds.
- Stewers – All rabbits entered in this class must be 6 months of age and over. Minimum weight is over 8 pounds.
FANCY BREED RABBITS (FOR PUREBRED RABBITS ONLY)
Fancy breed rabbits will be divided into the following age divisions within each breed:
- Junior Doe or Junior Buck (6 months old and younger)
- Senior Doe or Senior Buck (over 6 months old)
- Note: A Fancy Breed Rabbit that is exactly six months old on show day will be shown as a Junior Division rabbit. A Fancy Breed rabbit that is six months plus one day old on show day will be shown as a Senior Division rabbit.
Age will be the age of the rabbit on show date.
Division breakdown will be by the age of the rabbit and not by the weight of the rabbit.
FANCY BREED CLASSES:
American Fuzzy Lop
American Sable
Belgian Hare
Blue Holicer
Britannia Petite
Czech Frosty
Dutch
Dwarf Hotot
Dwarf Papillion
English Angora
English Spot
Florida White
French Angora
Harlequin
Havana
Himalayan
Jersey Woolie
Lilac
Holland Lop
Lionhead
Mini Lop
Mini Rex
Mini Satin
Netherland Dwarf
Polish
Rex
Rhinelander
Satin Angora
Silver
Silver Marten
Standard Chinchilla
Tan
Thrianta
COMMERCIAL BREED RABBITS
- Commercial breed rabbits will be divided into the following age divisions within each breed:
- Junior Doe or Junior Buck (6 months old and younger)
- Intermediate Doe or Intermediate Buck (6-8 months old)
- Senior Doe or Senior Buck (over 8 months old)
- Note: A Commercial Breed Rabbit that is exactly six months old on show day will be shown as a Junior Division rabbit; a rabbit that is six months plus one day old on show day to eight months old will be shown as an Intermediate Division rabbit; a rabbit that is exactly eight months old on show day will be shown as an Intermediate Division rabbit; a rabbit that is eight months plus one day on show day will be shown as a Senior Division rabbit.
- Rabbit age will be age of the rabbit on show date.
- Division breakdown will be by the age of the rabbit and not by the weight of the rabbit.
COMMERCIAL BREED CLASSES:
American
American Chinchilla
Argente Brun
Beveren
Blanc de Hotot
California
Champagne D'Argent
Checkered Giant
Cinnamon
Creme D'Argent
English Lop
Flemish Giant
French Lop
Giant Angora
Giant Chinchilla
New Zealand
Palomino
Satin
Silver Fox