To Go or not To Go

[Cindi Davis]

We are having our county fair show tomorrow for the rabbits. Temps will be in the high 90's, I looked at the area today and the set up is great including mister's fans and its all covered. Im worried about the heat, but I do have some cooling jugs and mats would you still go??????

 

[skysthelimit]

Not if I had a fur breed.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

How hot has it been where you are?

If the temp hasn't spiked, but has risen gradually, you might be okay. But I would worry that the added stress of being in a new environment might be too much.

I have only been to two shows and those were in the cooler months, so I have no personal experience to go by.

 

[skysthelimit]

In this heat Rex fur is shot and molting, not worth putting up on the table.

 

[Lastfling]

Take a fan and extension cord. If hot, you're set to provide some air to the rabbits.

 

[Cindi Davis]

I have 2 New Zealands, 1 Flemish and a flemish cross for the meat class
3 of the 4 are youngsters the oldest is 4 1/2 months 2 are 2 months, the Sr Doe is 1 yr. Its been hot in the 80's and 90's for about 2 weeks now I have been keeping them iced and a sprinkler to cool off the area

 

[skysthelimit]

I have 2 New Zealands, 1 Flemish and a flemish cross for the meat class
3 of the 4 are youngsters the oldest is 4 1/2 months 2 are 2 months, the Sr Doe is 1 yr. Its been hot in the 80's and 90's for about 2 weeks now I have been keeping them iced and a sprinkler to cool off the area

I wouldn't worry then, especially if they are used to the heat, just bring your set up. if the heat has not caused them to be out of coat, or look shabby in anyway, then you should be ok.

When we go to shows in the winter time, I'm not even allowed to turn on the heat, for fear the Rex will start blowing coat.

 

[Cindi Davis]

Thanks Everyone Will let you know how I do

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Good luck!

A full report with photos will be expected.

 

[Cindi Davis]

Ok Back ( I live close to the fairgrounds) came way with 3 BOV but no champion, There were quite a few more rabbits this year so its all good

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Wow, that was fast. Nothing to complain about with the BOV's. Were there enough competitors that you will get legs?

 

[skysthelimit]

Great job.

 

[Cindi Davis]

No lol but hey it was a practice run anywho. The judge was an ARBA certified so that gave me something to go by

 

[MamaSheepdog]

You can't beat the price of an entry fee to get a professional assessment of your animals!

 

[SatinsRule]

The judge was an ARBA certified so that gave me something to go by

Cindi, don't let that be your guiding principle for an authoritative assessment. There are a small boatload of judges out there whose opinions are little better than a novice breeder's opinions, especially on certain breeds. It's like they went on just enough memorization in order to pass the test, then either went on selective disregard of what certain breed standards actually say, or just won't stay current on changes to the breed standards as they appear every 5 years in the SOP.

Once you're more familiar with the standard and get a good cross-section of the opinions rendered by judges at shows, you'll understand where I am coming from when saying that. There have been times I wanted to punch a judge in the head because I knew he was just going thru the motions and not judging the rabbits by the standard at all. It's annoying to drive the distances I (and so many other breeders) drive and incur all the expenses of doing so, only to run into a judge who won't do his or her job. I know I'm not the only breeder who experiences it, mainly after being in Peoria earlier this year. There were a couple of breeders who were vocally displaying their annoyance beyond recognition because the judge wouldn't do his job and was wrecking the animals they'd worked so hard with by posing them like semi-arched breeds. The judge in question had been judging for years, yet the table he was judging on looked like it was straight out of the movie Helter Skelter after one breed because his blood was all over the place.

 

[Cindi Davis]

Satin, I do know its all subjective. ANYTHING you show is that way I dont care what it is. I do value your opinion and thank you !!!

This judge ( and yes I know she is not the know all to end all ) lol
she walked me through what she was doing. She did not set the flemish up like a New Zealand. and looked at teeth, Feet ( though I dont know why) , tail length,
looked the coat over good.

Like I said it gives me something to go by for my limited knowledge of the show world. I do have an ARBA show in September sooooo round 2 so to speak

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Feet ( though I dont know why)

They are checking the color of the toenails, checking for missing toenails (a DQ), fur density, and with the rear feet checking to see if they are cow-hocked as well.

 

[Piper]

The judge in question had been judging for years, yet the table he was judging on looked like it was straight out of the movie Helter Skelter after one breed because his blood was all over the place.

The judges blood?

 

[Cindi Davis]

Thanks MSD

 

[SatinsRule]

The judge in question had been judging for years, yet the table he was judging on looked like it was straight out of the movie Helter Skelter after one breed because his blood was all over the place.

The judges blood?

Yep, one would have thought that with all the years of judging experience he had behind him (and the fact that there was a dealer of equipment set up in the showroom) that he would have known to wear arm covers, as well as how to handle a rabbit, but apparently not. His blood was smeared all over the place.