4-H Rabbit and Cavy Projects

Enrollment/Animal Possession

• Members must be enrolled in the “Rabbit” or “Cavy” project by May 1st.
• Rabbit and Cavy are open to all age divisions including Cloverbuds.
• Project animals must be under the management and care of the 4-H member 45 days prior to fair. See PNWJLA rules for specific dates for auction project animals.

Record Book

Complete a Clallam County 4-H Record Book with separate project record section for each project. 

Resources

WSU State 4-H Website https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/search?q=rabbits

https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/search?q=cavy

WSDA Animal Health Program: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/animals-livestock-and-pets/animal-health

Curriculum is available for check out at the Clallam County 4-H Extension office.

The ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association, PO BOX 426, Bloomington, Illinois, 61702) publishes a standard of perfection by which rabbit and cavies are judged at fairs and shows. It can be purchased through the ARBA website at www.arba.net.

Breed/Health Requirements

Rabbits or Cavies may be purebred or crossbred. Animals will be vet. checked prior to enter in fair and must be free of parasites and diseases. No specific vaccinations are required.

Resources on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

RHG Emerging Risk

RHG Fact Sheet

RHG Standard Operating Procedures

County Fair Participation

• Enter animals using a Clallam County Fair 4-H Entry Form(s) postmarked by July 1^st.
• To enter the fair, a rabbit must have a tattoo in the left ear and a cavy must have an identifying tag in its left ear. Ask your club leader about rabbit tattooing/cavy tagging.
• Check the current year’s fair exhibitor guide for the allowable number of entries.
• Rabbits must be 12 weeks old by first day of fair, except fryers need to be less than 10 weeks.
• Cavies must be over 12 oz. to enter. Cavy Lots: Lots:

Junior: less than 4 months & 12-22oz.,

Intermediate: 4 to 6 months & 22-32 oz.,

Senior: over 6 months & over 32oz.

• Permission from the barn superintendent is required to enter a mother and babies.

Customary Showing Attire

White button-down, long sleeves shirt, dark pants (slacks or jeans). No shorts, sweaters, jackets, short sleeved shirts, shirts with club names or logos. All clothing should be clean and in good shape. Show coats are permitted as long as they do not have the member’s name, 4-H club, county, farm name, or logo of any type (4-H clover is permitted).

Pacific Northwest Junior Livestock Auction

4-H Members in the Rabbit Project may participate in the livestock auction.

The PNWJLA is the only auction recognized by Clallam County 4-H, therefore it is the only auction that can be listed as a 4-H event in your record book.

Members and project animals must meet qualifications outlined in the Pacific Northwest Junior Livestock Auction Rules including attendance of the Mandatory Parent meeting in Feb./March. Contact the PNWJLA for specific information about raising meat rabbits.

Awards

See Clallam County 4-H Awards Handbook for award information and application instructions.

Awards are given out at the Clallam County Celebrate 4-H Achievement Day in fall!

Specific Project Area Awards for these projects: Small Animal Achievement Award

Judging Contest

If available, Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors may participate in a Rabbit Judging contest. See Clallam County Fair Exhibitor Guide for information or contact your 4-H leader.

Round Robbin

Top Senior & Intermediate 4H exhibitors in Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Poultry, Cavies may participate.

Rules are outlined in the Clallam County Fair Exhibitor’s guide.

State Fair

4-H State Fair Exhibitor Guide http://extension.wsu.edu/4h/fairs/state-4-h-fair/

State Fair Requirements:

• 4-H’er must notify the County Fair Barn Superintendent of the animal project they wish to enter at State Fair by Sunday morning of the county fair.
• 4-H’er must register in Fair Entry by the end of the Sunday of the county fair.
• Be a part of the qualifying allotment. See State 4-H fair Exhibitor’s guide, and or ask barn Superintendent.

At State Fair:

• Each Species of animal stalls as a county. All clubs in our county are stalled together and must share the responsibility of stall decorations.
• All members share herdsman ship duties with other members of our County exhibiting the same project. 

Additional Information

A groom/care kit is very desirable to bring to fair for your animal.

Things it might include are: Carpet Square, wound disinfectant, grooming brush, pin to pop an abscess, water spray bottle for cooling animals, flea powder, cotton swab, toenail clippers and baby wipes.

Clallam County Fair Information:

Clallam County Fair Information

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.