Getting into showing

[snap]

I've been wandering the vast internet in search of any tips on how to go about beginning to show rabbits. Nothing of real value has turned up. So I decided to ask all you guys.

I'm only 16, and I've only ever done FFA shows-so just group buy meat pens, and local area breeder rabbits. Recently my mother asked if I would like to show my two new baby Holland Lops in the future, which I thought was cool since she doesn't particularly like my animal craze. XD

I was thinking of just going to a few local shows first, when I find them, and seeing how things run. But I'd still like to ask, here, what kinds of things need to be done before I can show?

Do I need to be registered? Tattoos? What should I be expecting when showing? :x

I think/know my rabbits are nice rabbits, I think both mother and father have 10+ legs((also, could someone explain exactly what that means? I have an idea)).

Also, I'd like to say that any/all advice would be appreciated. Next school year is my senior year and after that my bunny rabbit future is uncertain((which is very stressful :c)), so I'd really like to do some bigger shows just to have the experience.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

It is good to go to some local shows. Around here there are lots of fairs during the summer, but some other shows during the year. If there is a rabbit breeders club near you, that is a good place to look for shows. Remember that not all shows have hundreds of rabbits and take a day to do, some shows might only have 20 rabbits entered. This does mean that some shows run differently than others. Going to some different shows is good to get an idea of what to expect.

The rabbits don't need to be registered. Registration comes later, and you don't have to do it if you don't want to. Not all rabbits can be registered, even if they are purebred and pedigreed, they need to meet the breed standard as well.
They do need to be tattooed. For shows, it is done in the left ear. It can be any combination of letters and numbers you want. Most breeders do tattoo their rabbits, so it might already be done for you. Some bigger shows offer tattooing too.
Going to shows and talking with the people there can give you and idea of what to expect. It is a good idea to be around for some judging to see how that works. As you only have a few rabbits, and they are the same breed, expect to be sitting around a bit, so bring something to do or find someone to talk with.

I believe that legs go toward getting the rabbit grand championed. The rabbit need a certain number of wins and the competition has some rules. For example, there might need to be 5 rabbits from 3 different exhibitors of the same breed to gain a leg (The numbers for that are wrong, but you can get the idea).

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

You should contact your local 4-H extension office and see if there are any 4-H clubs that have rabbits as a part of them.

4-H is a great way to learn about rabbit knowledge, care, and showing. Plus, you get to meet new friends who are interested in rabbits just like you! There are several classes thru 4-H shows, such as showmanship, agility, rabbit races and other fun things like that. These classes differ from county/state/club, but showmanship is in the majority of clubs. I’m sure you did showmanship when you were in FFA?

Usually the new year of 4-H begins in October, but depending on your location, some clubs accept new members up until a certain date. I know that in my county, new member enrollments go thru March or May, can’t remember which. It’s best to contact your local 4-H extension office to find this stuff out.

How old are your baby bunnies? I wouldn’t show them until about 3 to 4 months of age, and make sure their ears are fully lopped.

They should each have a tattoo in their left ear. If you are in contact with their breeder/have pedigrees, then the breeder will probably want to put his/her specific ear number in their ears, or their ear tattoo might be printed on the pedigree already, and all you have to do is tattoo it in their ears.

It’s a great idea to go to shows first and see how they are run. It also gives you a chance to introduce yourself to breeders and talk to them. You can find local shows by going to http://www.arba.net and clicking on Shows in the left sidebar.


Emily

 

[TinysMom]

I'm not sure where in Texas you are - but if you go to www.bunnyrabbit.com and check out their show schedule (they go to most of the major shows in TX) - you can at least see what is in your area.

 

[mistyjr]

Here is a great website that will help you out..

http://www.welshrabbitry.com/showingrabbits.html

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

snap wrote:

I think/know my rabbits are nice rabbits, I think both mother and father have 10+ legs((also, could someone explain exactly what that means? I have an idea)).

A "leg" is a first place win in any class with at least 5 rabbits and 3 different exhibitors in it.

Legs don't always mean quality though, as the quality of competition varies. So a rabbit having one leg is cool, but if a rabbit earns 3 legs (at least one of them as a senior- over 6 months), they can be registered with the ARBA as a Grand Champion. If this happens, you can know with considerable certainty that it's a pretty nice rabbit.

With that being said, especially with Holland Lops, you can breed two beautiful rabbits and get pet quality- long ears, snipey face, too big, pinched HQ, whatever the case may be. So you have to judge each rabbit as is, not by the lineage it carries.

If you post some photos of your Hollands here, we may be able to help you with a critique. Try to pose them in their natural, upright pose as much as possible. This helps in critiquing.

 

[Blaze_Amita]

I know in NY we had the county fairs and all we had to do was go to the County office building and get a fair book to enter at the local fair, it was 4-H youth only, not open to regular ARBA members in Open class but it was worth going and watching the youth rabbits, because I dealt alot with youths selling and buying rabbits.

Had a trio of dutch sold to a 10 year old in Washington county. She had gotten oen of mine prior and loved it so she found me and got more of them. She promised me she was going to bring them to the fair and show them! lol. Happy memories.