4 H bunnies

[ZRabbits]

Kipcha wrote:

wendymac wrote:

The purpose of 4-H is to promote and encourage youth to get in/stay involved with ALL forms of livestock production. You do NOT have to eat your animal, nor do you have to enter any rabbits in the meat pens. But that's defeating the entire purpose of 4-H. Why not just put your youth in your local rabbit club?

And to not divulge that you're showing a spayed/neutered animal is wrong. That's dishonesty. Is that something you really want to encourage in a youth?? The entire rabbit industry is based on honesty. I, for one, certainly would never condone lying/cheating.

Part of us starting to project was for education. Before our project, if you asked any 4-H kid about rabbits, they would have said they were too stupid for any use other then food, which we obviously proved wrong. I get the feeling that 4-H here in Alberta must be different, since 4-H here embraces all kinds of projects (I've seen cooking, vetrinary sciences, sewing, arts and crafts and I've been a part of 4-H for 9 years myself). My main reason for doing it is that it does look good on a resume, there are a lot of other good things such as teaching public speaking and 4-H has a LOT of scholarship oppurtunities. Many things I do not get through the CRHC that are exclusive to 4-H. There is plenty of incentive.

Not saying that meat is wrong (I, personally, could never raise my own meat though...) and I do realise it happens, I just like to think that I created another option for people who want to be part of 4-H but don't want to eat their rabbits. Does 4-H there not have all the regional and national oppurtunities? My main motivation in 4-H was the scholarships.

I would like to say that that comment was more joke then serious. I don't understand why you would show an altered animal. I see now that it doesn't appear to be in jest, but it really was, I simply didn't type it out right. But there's no real point in showing an altered animal because the main reason for placings is to critique your breeding animal. Back in the day before I really started rescuing and hadn't given agility a go (Although I neer bred) I showed Babbity on recommendation from the leader we had at the time. Babbitty's a registered champion who apparently fit his breed standard very well, so I know how the entire showing thing works. Looking back, there really wasn't a point to it though since I never intended to breed. It's more just for bragging rights, I suppose, since Babbitty was a cull destined for snake food due to his energy level. Showed that you can't always tell what a rabbit will turn into at a young age.

Well, regarding 4-H here, the Powers to Be destroyed it. They sold the land from under them stating there wasn't enough revenue to support them, even though the funds were there. They had just received grants. So no scholarships here. The Powers to Be think farm animals are a waste of time. And look down on those people who raise them. Whether its' a 100 acre farm or just in your own backyard. Just hicks in their eyes. It's a shame. There's a lot of children out there, and not girls, but boys also who want to learn a little bit about the Earth. And living within.

That's what they have done to our 4-H. And the biggest disgrace is they still call this the Garden State. There ain't much garden left.

K

 

[ZRabbits]

LakeCondo wrote:

My sympathies.

Your sympathies for what? Because someone was involved with helping children learn? But it's not the way you think children should learn?

Gee do you know the Powers to Be in New Jersey? They said the same thing as they shut the door on the children in 4-H here by selling their land right out from under them. And to what? A US Military recruiting agency. At least that's what they say it is. I have other thoughts which shall be my own.

Oh love these changes.

K

 

[eclairemom]

My daughter will be old enough for 4H next year. Right now she could be in the Cloverbuds but both groups for her age group are only Equine. Next year there are more options but only 1 that is Agricultural in nature with no emphasis on small animals at all, although I've been told she can do a project bunnies or poultry if she chooses. Same thing going on in the adjoining county, but our pastor started a poultry group.

Personally I think it is also cruel to have a child "think" an animal is a pet when it's not. I wouldn't think that would happen that often since kids that grow up on farms know where food comes from. My grandmother raised chickens and my hen was thanksgiving dinner one year I passed and had pizza instead but I knew that she to produce eggs and then for meat. She also had a pig at one time and for 2 years I would check the trash for grocery store containers just to make sure it wasn't Sam, but that is my issue I can't eat something that I knew. Nor can I eat Bambi or Thumper not that I take issue with anyone who does.

Just a thought without agriculture we would have NO food. No meat, no veggies, no fruit and none of those soy based products that are made to taste and look like other things. And since most of our gas is now made with 10% corn there will be issues there as well.


The 4-Hs

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4-H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Head - Managing, Thinking
Heart - Relating, Caring
Hands - Giving, Working
Health - Being, Living

 

[bunnychild]

No they can't because they say the rabbit needs to be intact.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Tracy- good post.
I loved 4-H growing up. Most of my projects were cooking, sewing, creative writing etc. I even got a trophy for my pocket pets (mice) project one year. I was so proud that I beat 40 hamsters

I grew up with a single mom that had to work much of the time. For me, 4-H gave me a positive focus for the summer. The meetings were a place I belonged and I developed leadership skills. As I got older I helped to run my club and was even on the junior fair board my senior year, helping the fair to run smoothly. I gained self esteem and life skills my mother didn't have time to teach me.

Yes I had an issue eating Curly because I was led to believe as the bull he wouldn't ever become food. I knew not to get close to the others in the heard. This was bad parenting, not 4-H in any way.

The kids in 4-H I knew were hard working and very smart. They are working on educating and bettering themselves. They are out working in the barn before school rather than watching TV or playing video games. They learn that animals have to be cared for 365 days of the year, even christmas. It teaches responsibility and character. Two things I think this world needs more of.

 

[bunnychild]

MiniLopHop wrote:

Meat animals? I rescued Gary from a 4-H kid that was going to kill him because he has a color DQ. He's a mini rex and just 3 pounds! Do people still use them for m@#%? *gulp*

Not all 4H rabbits are meat. I have show rabbits in 4H for 3 yrs I don't make them meat and most of the other kids see them as pets they aren't required to be sold like cattle and swine.

 

[bunnychild]

You are all over reacting a bit. I don't like that the animals are sold and slautered but the kids know that when they start and agree to it and though alot of them cry after they do it again next year. Why? because while they don't like saying goodbye they have learned that that is how the world is fed.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

I showed rabbits in 4-H for 5 years, and yes, you are not "made" to show meat rabbits or do market sale. That is your choice. A lot of kids in 4-H don't have the opportunities to breed - only a handful of kids actually raise their own rabbits for fair, and have the sources to raise market sale animals.

Fair-goers don't know what goes on on sale day when those kids have to go into the ring and auction off their animals. They are near the point of tears, and several break down after they leave the ring. They know what they are getting into beforehand, but when you work with an animal that long to get it show ready, you bond with it, and letting it go is still hard.

Here, 4-H rabbits should not be spayed, even if they are in the mixed breed class. The judge CAN tell, because one of the girls I showed with had a doe that was spayed and the judge discovered this and asked. She was still able to show her, but it is preferred that they aren't spayed or neutered.

Most fairs will not allow additional haul-ins for certain events like rabbit hopping, so the rabbit you use for rabbit hopping must be entered in fair and the conformation classes - therefore hopping rabbits also cannot be altered. If you are a part of an outside hopping club (much like Kipcha's) then altered rabbits are completely fine, and more often than not, probably best to have them altered since they are around so many other rabbits in an open area and accidents can happen in a split second.

Emily

 

[BrittsBunny]

Mr. Wranglers was a 4-H rabbit Just thought I'd throw that in there I didn't show him though...I believe he was shown by a little boy and then that little boy became uninterested in Wrangler...aka his name was originally "Brownie" :rollseyes SO I fell in love with him at a tack sale and took him home with me :hug2:

 

[keebler_911]

Hi all!
This may be a bit off the subject, but I have an 8 year old lop eared bun who has been the joy of my life. I unfortunately was in a bad car wreck and have to have several months of therapy. I cannot find a foster home or even a good home for her. I would be willing to get her back after my therapy, but if a wonderful person or family came forward and wanted to adopt her, it may be my only choice. Please any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have no family that can help me.

Thanks,

Lola bunny

 

[Annettesuter]

Meat animals? I rescued Gary from a 4-H kid that was going to kill him because he has a color DQ. He's a mini rex and just 3 pounds! Do people still use them for m@#%? *gulp*

Yes, people still love rabbit meat. And furs.
What does 4-H mean?

 

[rugerfuzz24]

Where are you? I try to do rabbit rescues, depending the area I might be able to help!

Hi all!
This may be a bit off the subject, but I have an 8 year old lop eared bun who has been the joy of my life. I unfortunately was in a bad car wreck and have to have several months of therapy. I cannot find a foster home or even a good home for her. I would be willing to get her back after my therapy, but if a wonderful person or family came forward and wanted to adopt her, it may be my only choice. Please any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have no family that can help me.

Thanks,

Lola bunny

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Where are you? I try to do rabbit rescues, depending the area I might be able to help!

She has a post on it. I think she said she’s in south Mississippi

 

[keebler_911]

She has a post on it. I think she said she’s in south Mississippi

Hi, yes I am in south Mississippi an our from Gulfport, MS or an hour from New Orleans, LA. I can drive to a foster depending the distance. I can provide food, hay, treats or anything she would need for her stay. I shld not be in therapy more than 2 months. I will know the exact dates in 2 weeks and can post it. Thanks in advance for all your help!!

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Hi, yes I am in south Mississippi an our from Gulfport, MS or an hour from New Orleans, LA. I can drive to a foster depending the distance. I can provide food, hay, treats or anything she would need for her stay. I shld not be in therapy more than 2 months. I will know the exact dates in 2 weeks and can post it. Thanks in advance for all your help!!

I wish I could help! I’m in England though...

 

[Julie&Bunnies]

Thanks

Hi all!
This may be a bit off the subject, but I have an 8 year old lop eared bun who has been the joy of my life. I unfortunately was in a bad car wreck and have to have several months of therapy. I cannot find a foster home or even a good home for her. I would be willing to get her back after my therapy, but if a wonderful person or family came forward and wanted to adopt her, it may be my only choice. Please any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have no family that can help me.

Thanks,

Lola bunny

so sorry to hear about your situation. Please contact your local chapter of the House rabbit society and ask them for a referral or other resources. Best of luck to you and your bunny.

 

[keebler_911]

Thanks


so sorry to hear about your situation. Please contact your local chapter of the House rabbit society and ask them for a referral or other resources. Best of luck to you and your bunny.

Thank you! I will try that as well as the local vets to see if I can get any help or resources.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

I asked the lady in the rabbit tent about the 4H rabbits. This was the answer: "We don't believe they have emotions or feelings. We have different goals than the humane society."

 

[Julie&Bunnies]

I asked the lady in the rabbit tent about the 4H rabbits. This was the answer: "We don't believe they have emotions or feelings. We have different goals than the humane society."

Yes... exactly why I never approve of 4H or of allowing rabbits to be given to people participating in 4H. They are just an object to them, a commodity. They are unenlightened.

 

[majorv]

To some, rabbits are pets. To others, they’re livestock. They serve different purposes for different folks. That doesn’t make one any more right than the other.