Rabbit Project

Project Description 

You will gain knowledge and skills in managing and caring for rabbits, selecting quality rabbits, feeding balanced rations and maintaining management records on which to base decisions regarding feed, production and breeding. You will also have opportunities to participate and assume responsibility in the 4-H rabbit program.

Project Requirements

Project Books Required? No, but is a good resource for new members

Rabbit project books can be purchased here

***Each member must attend 2 workshops per the market project area to take your market animal to fair. Workshops are defined as an educational exercise lead by a project sup.

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 2?

• Identify rabbit body and fur types

• Identify most common rabbit breeds

• Basic rabbit nutrition needs

• Identify common body parts

• Complete three years of level one to move to Level Two

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 3?

• Describe rabbit digestion system

• Knowledge of most common rabbit diseases

• Knowledge of breeding and kindling of rabbits

• Complete three years of level two to move to Level Three

What needs to be accomplished to move on to the next levels from here?

• Knowledge of breed standards, judging reasons

• Leadership skills, assisting other project members

• Financial records, rabbitry records (health, breeding, registration, sales)

• Six+ years in the project

Project age limit? 8 and up

What should new members know?

• Basic Supplies:
  • Secure cage, indoor or outdoor hay feeder, rabbit pellet dish/feeder, waterer.
  • Hay- Timothy hay is best
  • Pellets - a good quality pelle specifically for rabbits
• Rabbits are not required until June
• Rabbits need to be 8 weeks old to be entered into fair at the minimum, would prefer 16 weeks if doing showmanship
• Rabbits can start coming to meetings in April
• Communication will be by email, newsletter and occasional text message
• We send out emails and have a Lewis & Clark County Rabbit 4-H Facebook page. We post about shows, rabbits for sale and anything rabbit related

Workshops

• Monday, November 27th at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Winter care
• Monday, January 22nd at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Basic rabbit care and diseases 
• Monday, February 26th at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Rabbit breeds
• Monday, March 18th at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Body types/fur types, showmanship demonstration
• Monday, April 22nd at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Showmanship 
• Monday, May 20th at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Showmanship and brief FairEntry discussion
• Monday, June 24th at 5:30 p.m. in the BHB - Showmanship and fair prep discussion

Project Superintendent Information

Rabbit Superintendents: Michelle Eckhart
Contact: michelle.eckhart@yahoo.com or 406-475-2202
How will you be contacted? Email, text, and newsletter
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/322164362156220

Junior Superintendents: Kiley Eckhart

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717