Best way to get a bunny clean for show?

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philothea

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I have a couple of Cal's that need to brighten up a bit. One I got recently but she was next to a buck and is a bit yellow.
I also have a great American Blue buck with the same issue and he had sticky rust colored spots.
I have heard vinegar/water with cornstarch for the Cals but what about the Amer. Blue?
Also, I have one American Blue young buck that is 4.25 lb yesterday, he needs to be 4.5 lbs for the junior category. I was hoping to take him to the Longview show next weekend. Anyone with experiences know if he might gain .25 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks? Suggestions one what to feed to get him there? He is great looking buck for being so young.

Also, any suggestions for a "show kit" to bring with me (1st show). What should I have with me (besides rabbits/feed/water) that could easily be forgotten. I know to bring a chair.

Thanks!
 
Rabbits / feed / water are the essentials. I include a bag of hay in my travel pack as I find mine will eat hay ahead of their food. I carry a backpack which includes my pedigree book, paper towels, camera, neosporin, nail clippers, baby wipes, paperback book (for those slow moments), snacks (me), rabbit treats (ziplock bag of oatmeal/boss/flax seed), chair. This is for a day show (in/out same day). For overnight trips its basically the same except more in the rabbit food department and a bag of zipties for locking carriers if leaving in the showroom overnight and a blanket to cover the carriers with when I leave the showroom. Also, extra puppy pads, wood chips, for carrier pans. I like to replace before coming home to cut down odor in the car. I normally find I don't need half of what I bring, but, as they say - better safe than sorry.
 
When I've used corn starch, I've never used any kind of liquid. Just apply it lightly onto the coat, work it into the coat by rubbing against the natural lay of of the coat, then work it back out of the coat by working with the coat's natural lay. It takes a little time, but normally it doesn't take but just a few days to get rid of stains.

While you're at the show, hit up the Bunnyrabbit.com team for a bottle of their show coat spray-on cleaner and conditioner. They're a lot simpler to work with, as you can get rid of stains when they first develop at home. The 2 spray bottles will set you back somewhere between $15-20.

And try feeding that underweight buck some honey nut cheerios over the next few days. It's not something you want to feed him long term, but it usually works for adding on a little weight when need be. About a quarter cup per day will normally do the trick.
 
Any other suggestions if they won't eat the honey nut cheerios to get weight on them?
 
Black oil sunflower seeds. :) I have also had good luck fattening up skinnies with shelled corn, but be careful...there are some risks with feeding it. However if you can get good, clean, reliable corn it'll pack some weight on.

I've occasionally supplemented with Calf Mana, but it didn't increase weight much or as fast in my (admittedly limited) experience.
 
Well if they make weight then I can introduce them to you at the show. The New Zealand's will eat them right up but the American Blue won't eat anything I put in their treat dish. (BOSS, rolled oats, honey nut Cheerios.) I will try to put a couple in their J feeder and see if they will eat it that way. They eat the pellets and grass I give them fine. Will weigh again today to get an idea where they are at.

Also how long do you work the cornstarch in? I have been using the cleaner and then cornstarch but I still can't seem to get some of the stains out of my Cals.
 
It's normally taken about 3-4 daily treatments to get the stains completely out, but satin fur is different than other breeds, so YMMV.

As for your rabbit not eating, get some celery and give them that. You need to get them eating pronto, and celery normally does that trick quite well.
 
thanks for the tips. I weighed the little buck again today and he is at 4.45 lbs so he should be fine by Saturday. I have a doe that is 4.25 and I am not that familiar with the growth rate of American Blues to know if it is even possible.
Do they actually weigh the animals at the show? Also, what about the age groups. Do you have to bring the pedigree to show their day of birth? I ask because I have three Cals I am bringing as well. My does have the opposite problem and they are getting dangerously close to the 8.5 lb limit that will throw them into the intermediate category. One I know for sure is under 6 months (will be 6 months 2 days after the show.) The other I don't have an actual pedigree on. She was a meat pen for a local fair and should have been born mid January in order to be the right age for that fair. I need to contact the breeder and see if i can get any info off the ear number. (I was given her by a coworker who's kid had them for 4H.) I have to check the pedigree of the buck, I think he is real close as well.

So suggestions to keep them the same weight or not gain alot?
 
If I had them just over the minimums at this time of year, I'd consider that a major plus. The heat and humidity will drive your rabbits into a very uncomfortable situation if they're overweight.

Most judges do not weigh rabbits crossing the table this time of year unless they're noticeably over or under. Some will do so and toss any rabbits that are the slightest bit over and under, so it varies based upon who the judge is.
 
What do people use to line the carriers? Just pine shavings, those dog training pads or something else? I was thing the training pads would be the easiest since I could just switch it out before the ride back but was wondering in there was any disadvantage to them?
 
Usually shavings or shredded paper. I would think liners would hold the liquid and smell better.
 
I haven't been in shows for a long time, so I have forgotten all the things one can do. I always put thick hay in the bottom of my carriers and did not have any problem. I would be a bit wary of dog training pads. They might shred and/or eat it. It might be treated with something.
 
I travel over extended distances with my rabbits when I go to shows, and I have become quite consistent about lining the drip pans with about a half-inch of shavings. It works quite well at keeping down the smells inside the vehicle.
 
A lot of people use pee pads in the trays of their carriers. I see no problem with them as long as the rabbits can't get to them. I use paper pellets in my trays, smell cut to almost nothing including bucks. I did it this past weekend when I drove to BC to get my SF, I had 10 rabbits in my Escape, one that wasn't over paper pellets and that one was the only one I could smell.
 
I use pee pads and top that with pine shavings. Keeps smell down and makes cleaning out the carriers easy. Rabbits are on wire above the pads/shavings.
 
I use pine pellets. I have never noticed any odor at all, but have only attended one day shows so there isn't that much waste in the pans.
 

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