Getting Ready for Showing Rabbits

Follow these tips for showing rabbits at the fair with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Showing animals at the fair is a big part of summer for any 4-H member. When it comes to showing rabbits, there are a few things you can do to help your child get ready for the big show. Use these tips for showing rabbits from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Before the Show

Conditioning – A few months prior to showing, start conditioning your rabbit for the show. This includes proper nutrition and feeding. Always work with your veterinarian to come up with the best nutrition program for your rabbit. It’s also important to keep your rabbit well-watered before and during the fair.

Grooming – Grooming isn’t only about making your rabbit’s coat look nice. It’s also about building a relationship and trust between the handler and the animal. With routine grooming, the rabbit will get used to being handled and won’t be so stressed out come show time. This is also a chance for the handler to learn about the rabbit’s habits and personality.

Showmanship Tips

There are several things you’ll need to do to get a good score from the judges. These 4-H tips are some of the basics that can be practiced at home before the show. Practicing will make you and the rabbit more comfortable and confident in showing.

1. Remove the rabbit from the carrier – Once you have removed the rabbit from the rabbit carrier or cage, remember to lock it. Judges can actually dock points for not locking the carrier.

2. Carry the rabbit with a proper hold – The first step to showing rabbits is having a proper hold. Essentially, you’ll want to tuck the rabbit like a football. Tuck the head under your arm and support the the rabbit’s weight by the same arm. As you’re approaching the judge’s table, slowly turn so the judge can see you’re correctly holding the rabbit.

3. Pose the rabbit – The rabbit should be facing forward, toward the judge. Proceed to tell the judge the rabbit’s name or number, breed, age, sex, and variety. You can also give the judges a brief history of the breed at this time.

4. Go through the judge checks – Once the presentation has started, there are multiple parts of the rabbit that the judge will check.

• Ears, eyes, and tattoo
• Teeth
• Nose and front paws
• Sex
• Legs and nails
• Hocks
• Tail
• Chest and abdomen
• Fur

5. Ask if the judges have any questions – Once you and judges have gone through all the checks and finished your routine, end the presentation by asking if they have any questions.

6. Return the rabbit to the carrier – Once you have answered any of the judge’s questions, return the rabbit to its carrier. Remember to lock the carrier once the rabbit is inside.

Showing animals is a great way to learn about different farm animals and how to properly care for them. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, we understand. That’s why we carry everything you’ll need for showing animals of all sizes. Visit our Hobby Farming blog to learn more about farm animals, big and small.