May I start this off with saying Happy new year! Now that the new year has begun, it is a good time to consider joining a local 4-H group. 4-H is a great program with many interesting and knowledgeable people to learn from. Maybe you're already in 4-H, and would like to join a new club this year, or maybe you’d just like to try something new.
To find out what local clubs are around you, contact your local extension office, and they will be happy to direct you. Two very good 4-H clubs in the area are Penns Valley’s “4H Rams”, and Mifflin County’s “Rabbits R Us”. Both have very knowledgeable rabbit leaders that are willing to help you in your start into the rabbit raising hobby.
Rabbits make a great 4-H project, they are easy to care for and can be kept in many different households. Weather you live in a farm or in an apartment, rabbits are a good choice of pet. In fact many apartment managers allow rabbits in their buildings. Since they aren’t loud and don’t smell (as long as they are well cared for) they make the perfect pet for apartments. They can also be happily kept in outdoor hutches year round (again, if cared for properly, and given what they need to stay out of the elements).
Rabbits are multi purpose animals, being used for meat, fur, pets, and Show. 4-H teaches about each part of the fantastic world of rabbits, they give you the knowledge to help decide what part of that world is right for you.
One of the most important parts of doing rabbit 4-H, is (as you may have guessed) the rabbit! you need to choose your rabbit carefully, Some breeders will sell a 4-Her a pet quality rabbit just because they are not planning on showing it in ARBA shows or starting a breeding program. You may not have these plans now, but there are many breeders that started out with one pet rabbit, but they eventually ended up expanding to have an entire herd.
A good quality rabbit costs just as much to feed and care for as a pet quality rabbit. So why settle for less? For $20 - $30 more you could get a nice example of the breed. With a good quality rabbit you can compete in ARBA shows, and have a good start in a breeding program, not having to spend years trying to overcome the many faults that the one original rabbit brought in.
Now, Just because a rabbit costs more does not mean that it is better quality. Start out your hunt knowing what breed you want, and get to know the ARBA standard for that breed. Know what to look for in a good quality rabbit. That way you do not have to depend on the breeder to tell you what’s show quality and what isn’t. When in doubt ask your 4-H leader, or a trusted rabbit breeder, to help you find a nice quality rabbit within your price range. Expect to pay between $45 and $80 on a nice quality rabbit, depending on the breed.
Before you bring your rabbit home, you need to decide where you are going to keep it. Rabbits can live in a variety of different places. The most important part of your rabbits environment is your dedication to their care.
A rabbit can live perfectly happily in a solid bottomed pet cage filled with shavings, or in a wire floored hutch. Weather you choose a wire bottomed hutch or a solid bottomed cage really comes down to what you can comfortably care for. Solid floored pet cages require daily cleaning to keep your rabbit in a healthy environment, while a wire floor hutch requires cleaning about once a week. Solid floored cages are a good choice if your rabbit will be living inside, since having an outdoor hutch inside is not very practical. You also have to keep in mind what breed you are getting. Long haired or “wooly” breeds such as Angoras, Jersey Woolies, and American Fuzzy Lops do not do well on solid floored cages, because their wool gets very dirty and the shavings turn their wool into a matted mess. On the other hand, breeds like Mini Rex’s can have foot trouble if they are kept on wire floors, without a resting mat, or a way to get off the wire. As long as a resting mat, or other means of relief is given they will do just fine.
The rabbit project in 4-H is a great program. Rabbits are easy to maintain and bring such joy to their owners. They can live in many different environments, and are a relatively low maintenance pet. With a life expectancy of 8-10 years, rabbits will provide you and your family with years of joy!
To find out what local clubs are around you, contact your local extension office, and they will be happy to direct you. Two very good 4-H clubs in the area are Penns Valley’s “4H Rams”, and Mifflin County’s “Rabbits R Us”. Both have very knowledgeable rabbit leaders that are willing to help you in your start into the rabbit raising hobby.
Rabbits make a great 4-H project, they are easy to care for and can be kept in many different households. Weather you live in a farm or in an apartment, rabbits are a good choice of pet. In fact many apartment managers allow rabbits in their buildings. Since they aren’t loud and don’t smell (as long as they are well cared for) they make the perfect pet for apartments. They can also be happily kept in outdoor hutches year round (again, if cared for properly, and given what they need to stay out of the elements).
Rabbits are multi purpose animals, being used for meat, fur, pets, and Show. 4-H teaches about each part of the fantastic world of rabbits, they give you the knowledge to help decide what part of that world is right for you.
One of the most important parts of doing rabbit 4-H, is (as you may have guessed) the rabbit! you need to choose your rabbit carefully, Some breeders will sell a 4-Her a pet quality rabbit just because they are not planning on showing it in ARBA shows or starting a breeding program. You may not have these plans now, but there are many breeders that started out with one pet rabbit, but they eventually ended up expanding to have an entire herd.
A good quality rabbit costs just as much to feed and care for as a pet quality rabbit. So why settle for less? For $20 - $30 more you could get a nice example of the breed. With a good quality rabbit you can compete in ARBA shows, and have a good start in a breeding program, not having to spend years trying to overcome the many faults that the one original rabbit brought in.
Now, Just because a rabbit costs more does not mean that it is better quality. Start out your hunt knowing what breed you want, and get to know the ARBA standard for that breed. Know what to look for in a good quality rabbit. That way you do not have to depend on the breeder to tell you what’s show quality and what isn’t. When in doubt ask your 4-H leader, or a trusted rabbit breeder, to help you find a nice quality rabbit within your price range. Expect to pay between $45 and $80 on a nice quality rabbit, depending on the breed.
Before you bring your rabbit home, you need to decide where you are going to keep it. Rabbits can live in a variety of different places. The most important part of your rabbits environment is your dedication to their care.
A rabbit can live perfectly happily in a solid bottomed pet cage filled with shavings, or in a wire floored hutch. Weather you choose a wire bottomed hutch or a solid bottomed cage really comes down to what you can comfortably care for. Solid floored pet cages require daily cleaning to keep your rabbit in a healthy environment, while a wire floor hutch requires cleaning about once a week. Solid floored cages are a good choice if your rabbit will be living inside, since having an outdoor hutch inside is not very practical. You also have to keep in mind what breed you are getting. Long haired or “wooly” breeds such as Angoras, Jersey Woolies, and American Fuzzy Lops do not do well on solid floored cages, because their wool gets very dirty and the shavings turn their wool into a matted mess. On the other hand, breeds like Mini Rex’s can have foot trouble if they are kept on wire floors, without a resting mat, or a way to get off the wire. As long as a resting mat, or other means of relief is given they will do just fine.
The rabbit project in 4-H is a great program. Rabbits are easy to maintain and bring such joy to their owners. They can live in many different environments, and are a relatively low maintenance pet. With a life expectancy of 8-10 years, rabbits will provide you and your family with years of joy!