Rabbit

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 185-189 - RABBIT DIVISION
Division 185        Class 910-930          Pay Category J
Division 186-189      Class 910-960       Pay Category K

RABBIT SHOW RULES

A. See General Rules and General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
B. NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER EXHIBITOR - A 4-H member may enter 4 rabbits in each division, but not to exceed a maximum of 8 rabbits.
C. IDENTIFICATION - All rabbits, except fryers and pets, must have permanent ID numbers or names tattooed in the left ear by June 15. Fryers and pets must be marked with a permanent marker in the left ear by County Fair time. Fryers (market rabbits) are too young to be tattooed by June 15; however, they do need to be identified. Select the ID to be used and fill out the Identification/Ownership Affidavit. Before the fair write the ID number you selected with permanent marker in the rabbit’s left ear. ID numbers or names must be documented on an Identification/ Ownership Affidavit due in the Extension Office by closing June 15. A maximum of 20 rabbits may be identified on the Identification/Ownership Affidavit form. All rabbits will be physically checked for tattoos during entry at both County and State Fairs. Rabbits whose tattoos are not readable or do not match the 4-H Affidavit can show but will forfit premium. Tattoos that have faded or are no longer readable should be re-done prior to coming to County Fair or State Fair.
D. PRE-ENTRY - Rabbits entries, including showmanship, to be eligible to exhibit at the County Fair, Must be pre-entered on a GREEN Entry Sheet (available at the Extension Office or online) OR entered online at https://nemaha.fairwire.com. Entries are due by June 15th. List whether the rabbit is a doe or buck and its age.
E. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - ALL rabbits shall be free of and show no symptoms of disease during exhibition. Rabbits shall be free of all parasites and mites (i.e. ear mites, fleas, etc.)
F. QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATION – All rabbit exhibitors are required to receive Youth for the Quality Care of Animals training or testing through a UNL Extension program by June 15.
G. SHOWMANSHIP - All 4-Her’s must exhibit in showmanship. Rabbits used for showmanship must be tattooed in the left ear with an ID number or name. The participant may use any rabbit on exhibit, so long as it was raised and trained by the 4-H member. 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 of their judging routine and the merit of the rabbit. Primarily showmanship is the skill of the exhibitor in presenting and explaining the qualities of the rabbit before the judge. The excellence of the rabbit is not considered in scoring. Refer to Livestock Showmanship, General Rules for more details on Showmanship. Maximum length of showmanship presentation is 4 minutes.
H. CARE OF RABBITS - All rabbits require food and water at all times.
I. Each 4-H member should be present at the exhibit area at show time. If participant or a substitute showman approved by superintendent is not present, animals will not be judged.
J. PET DIVISION - A rabbit shown in the pet division may not be shown in any other class except showmanship.
K. ARM GUARDS may be used in all classes except Showmanship.
L. AGE OF RABBIT – will be the age of the rabbit on show day.

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 185 - RABBIT SHOWMANSHIP

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 186 - FANCY BREED - (PUREBRED RABBITS ONLY)

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.

FANCY BREED LIST: (For purebred rabbits only)

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 187, COMMERCIAL BREED

Note: A Commercial Breed Rabbit that is exactly six months old on show day will be shown as a Junior Division rabbit. A Commercial Breed 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 Commercial Breed Rabbit that is exactly eight months old on show day will be shown as an Intermediate Division Rabbit. A Commercial Breed Rabbit that is eight months plus one day old on show day will be shown as a Senior Division Rabbit.

COMMERCIAL BREED LIST- Meat Breed

If over 10 lbs., Silver Marten rabbits are considered Commercial Breed at county level.

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 188 - RABBIT - PET DIVISION (Any breed or cross)

DEPARTMENT G - DIVISION 189 - MARKET RABBIT