I am working with my local 4H agent to start a rabbit club. We could use any tips/pointers/advice. Anything you have to offer. We still have alot of work to do, she has never been over a 4H club so when I brought it up she put me in charge of it. I have a volunteer to judge a show, but not sure where to start after that. I guess post flyers and schedule a meeting to hand out information, have a workshop or two on rabbit care and showing, then schedule a show?
Tips for starting a 4H rabbit club
- Thread starter Bunnie
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MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
I'm not sure- but CattleCait was very involved with 4-H. Why don't you send her a PM with a link to your post and see if she has any suggestions?
member/Cattle%20Cait/
member/Cattle%20Cait/
J.O.Y. Farm
Active member
I have a quick ?.. Sorry don't want to hijack your thread...
I want to start a goat/rabbit club when I get a little older (only 18 right now) go rabbits need to be papered and tattooed to be shown in 4-H?
I want to start a goat/rabbit club when I get a little older (only 18 right now) go rabbits need to be papered and tattooed to be shown in 4-H?
J.O.Y. Farm
Active member
Thank you very much Bunnie! Sorry I posted another question on your thread!
It's totally fine 
we are trying to work up the rules that we want for our club. Don't want to require tattoos, but will try to have someone on site to do them for future shows... I mean really, 3 or 4 bunnies min that all look the same and none with tattoos could get messy fast LOL.
we are trying to work up the rules that we want for our club. Don't want to require tattoos, but will try to have someone on site to do them for future shows... I mean really, 3 or 4 bunnies min that all look the same and none with tattoos could get messy fast LOL.
I was in 4-H for many years as well as president of a rabbit 4-H club. I would say you definitely need someone who knows how to show and what to know in rabbits leading the group. A few workshops isn't enough for kids to do really well at a show. Most clubs have weekly meetings where kids learn handling, health, information (learning facts, breed histories, body parts, etc - anything a judge might ask while judging). I grew up in a small town where we had one show a year, but if they're really interested, they'll be traveling a lot to other shows, so you want them to be prepared. We had quizzes sometimes, pretend judgings, all that sort of thing.
Cool. I will work on this more, but as far as having someone more qualified in charge, well... No one wants to step up and do it. 4H rabbit shows are very rare around here, I think there are two that I know of, if we get started it will make 3 annual shows.<br /><br />__________ Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:07 am __________<br /><br />I am bringing this back up. I have a 4H coordinator and an FFA advisor muddling through this with me. We have kids very interested, some already with rabbits, some with the cages but no rabbits, and some who want to learn where to start.
The first meeting for 4H is set for April 1st and the FFA meeting is in the works. We are working on powerpoints and covering all of the basic needs of rabbits, how to maintain them, info on diet and cages, info on breeds, showing, breed standards, etc etc. This will of course not all be covered in one meeting but a series of meetings. The first meeting will be an introductory meeting to see how many are interested and what we are working with.
My big question is when it comes time to host a show for the youth, how do you find a judge qualified for 4h/ffa club shows? Does it need to be an ARBA judge? Or a judge with other certifications (if there are any)? And how much does this cost?
If anyone knows, please let me know I am excited for the meetings coming up, I just wish there were more adult volunteers, the 4h and ffa reps have my back, but its like the blind leading the blind since none of us have been over a rabbit club. I am working on having an agent more experienced with a founded club coming in to have a workshop with the adult volunteers.
The first meeting for 4H is set for April 1st and the FFA meeting is in the works. We are working on powerpoints and covering all of the basic needs of rabbits, how to maintain them, info on diet and cages, info on breeds, showing, breed standards, etc etc. This will of course not all be covered in one meeting but a series of meetings. The first meeting will be an introductory meeting to see how many are interested and what we are working with.
My big question is when it comes time to host a show for the youth, how do you find a judge qualified for 4h/ffa club shows? Does it need to be an ARBA judge? Or a judge with other certifications (if there are any)? And how much does this cost?
If anyone knows, please let me know
I am excited for the meetings coming up, I just wish there were more adult volunteers, the 4h and ffa reps have my back, but its like the blind leading the blind since none of us have been over a rabbit club. I am working on having an agent more experienced with a founded club coming in to have a workshop with the adult volunteers.
I believe the judges don't have to be ARBA but many of them are. If there is a particularly knowledgeable breeder in your area, you could ask them. If you know of other 4-H groups around, you could ask those leaders to be judges.
Demamma
Well-known member
To show at our county fair rabbits have to be tattooed. Our 4-H is having monthly meetings.
