A New Year of 4-H

At our first 4-H meeting of the year, we had elections.  Two people ran for president, and each made a speech about why s/he should be elected.  The voting was very close, with the new president getting only one more vote than his opponent.  Then we moved onto vice-president.  There were two contestants again, and the voting was not as close.  Then we moved on to secretary.  The secretary takes notes on the meeting, takes attendance, and reads notes on the previous meeting.  I did not want to make a speech, because I was not prepared to give one.  But I wanted an office.  I waited a little while to see if anyone was going run for secretary.  Nobody did, so I raised my hand.  Because I was unopposed, I didn't have to make a speech.  I am now the secretary for the year. 

Then we moved on to treasurer.  My mom wanted my sister to run for vice-president, but she didn't.  She hates speaking in public.  She ran for treasurer.  (That's lower than the secretary!)  And she did it because she was unopposed as well. 

I look forward to learning from this experience. 

4-H Showmanship Script

There are many different ways to do showmanship.  This varies across the country.  This is what I do in Northern Nevada.  There are a lot of Youtubes, which may be helpful in different areas of the country.  I did not find them very helpful. 

My first time doing showmanship as a novice last year, I got 4th place out of four.  I guess I learned from my mistakes, because since then I have gotten first place every time.  One first place novice and three first place intermediate.  My sister, who is a junior, also uses this same script. 

Below is the script that I have used each time except my first.  It is good to know your rabbit vocabulary (malclusion, sore hocks, etc.).  Please note that the script isn't everything.  You must also speak clearly and distinctly, wear the proper uniform, and be confident and well-groomed.

Hello, my name is  _____.  I have been in 4-H for a little over a year now.  I will be doing showmanship, which is a health check.  It is very useful for adding new stock. 

First I will read off my rabbit's ear number:  _______. 

I will now check my rabbit's ears for any mites or matter.  [Check left ear.]  The left ear has no mites or matter.  [Check right ear.]  The right ear has no mites or matter. 

I will now check my rabbit's eyes for any cloudiness or discoloration.  [Check left eye.]  The left eye has no cloudiness or discoloration.  [Check right eye.] The right eye has no cloudiness or discoloration.

I will now turn my rabbit over and check his nose for any redness or discharge.  [Check nose.]  My rabbit's nose has no redness or discharge. 

I will now check my rabbit's teeth for any malclusion or any missing teeth.  [Check teeth.]  My rabbit has no malclusion or missing teeth.

I will now check the nails of my rabbit's front paws for any broken or missing nails.  [Check and count nails on both paws.]  One, two, three, four, dew claw.  One, two, three, four, dew claw.  There are no broken or missing nails on his front paws.  I will now check for sore hocks on his front feet.  [Check front feet.]  He does not have sore hocks. I will now check my rabbit's front legs for straightness. [Check both legs.]  My rabbit's front legs are perfectly straight. 

I will now check my rabbit's chin, chest, and abdomen for any ruptures or abscesses.  [Check abdomen.]  There are no ruptures or abscesses on his chin, chest, or abdomen.

I will now check the nails of my rabbit's back paws for any broken or missing nails.  [Check both back paws and count nails.]  One, two, three, four.  One, two, three, four.  My rabbit's back paws have no broken or missing nails.  I will now check my rabbit's back feet for sore hocks.  [Check both back feet.]  He does not have sore hocks.  I will now check my rabbit's back legs for straightness.  [Check both back legs.]  My rabbit's back legs are perfectly straight.

I will now sex my rabbit.  [Check for sex.]  My rabbit is a buck, so I will now check for both testicles.  [Check for testicles.]  They are both there. 

I will now check my rabbit's tail for wry tail or broken tail.  [Check tail.]  My rabbit's tail is perfectly straight.   

I will now check my rabbit's wool for any mites or dirt.  [Check wool.]  There are no mites or dirt. 

I will now pose my rabbit in all four directions.  [Pose rabbit.]

Do you have any questions?  (If you don't know the answer to a question, do not say, "I don't know."  Say, "I am sorry, I do not know."  Do not bluff.)

Maple Goes Home

We found someone who was interested in buying a French angora rabbit for her daughter's birthday.  After several emails back and forth to arrange a time, we settled on Friday afternoon. 

She came by, and we already had Maple out in the living room running around.  My mom printed up an information sheet. We talked about grooming and combs to use.  We talked about transitioning feed and the kind of hay to buy and where to get it.  I showed how to trim nails.  And we talked about 4-H, and that the meetings are only once a month, ten times a year.  I am hoping her daughter will come.  People will see that it really isn't difficult to care for French angoras.  It will also be nice to have more French angora rabbits at the shows.  We talked about the shows and how we learn something new every time. 

Then we showed her some of our kits.  She wished she'd brought her daughter to see and learn.  Today we got an email from her.  Her daughter is so excited to have Maple.  If they send us a picture we will put it up here for you to see. 

Maple in his new home

I know Maple will be so happy in his new home. He will get lots and lots of love. 

Reno Rabbits 4-H Show, 8 November 2014

We arrived really early so we could set up and so Charlotte could help with the health check.  My mom helped with the snack bar.  We arranged things we were selling on our table. 

I was asked by our 4-H leader to show a young girl how to do showmanship.  I basically gave my presentation.  Showmanship just has to be practiced a lot.

And then our friends arrived.  They brought some games for us to play, which we did, but Charlotte had to help with getting ready for judging.  Then we looked at some of the prizes for Best in Show and Best Reserve, and so on.

Showmanship started around 10:30, and Charlotte wrote all about that on her post.  There was also the hurdle contest, which we didn't do, but it is fun to watch.  Then there was the costume contest.  Finally, the showmanship results came.  After that we started getting our rabbits groomed because the French angora would be up soon. 

The rabbit judge was super slow, so finally we had to go to the cavy judge, because the other judge was still doing mini rexes and we were supposed to be out of the building.  Ninja wasn't very good when the judge was trying to flip him.  Then came Stanley.  He was horrible.  He was almost DQ'd because he hurt the judge.  And then Maple was up.  And then Remy, our friend's buck.  The judge said that Maple was a little light, so he was in third.  Then Remy was in second, and Stanley in first.  Then Panda and Lola, our friends' junior does, were judged.  Lola got Best of Breed.  Stanley got Best Opposite. 

Waiting for the Best in Show judging

Finally the rabbit judge finished with mini rexes and we were able to move on the Best in Show judging.  The best French angora got mentioned by the judge in her final remarks, which we have never had happen.  Then we packed up and left. 

4-H Rabbit Showmanship Competition

Showmanship is very useful for learning how to check for healthy stock.  It helps you learn what to look for.  It is really fun to do at shows, especially if your rabbit is being judged at the end.  French angora and other wool breeds are always at the end. 

Showmanship is  good way for youth to gain confidence in public speaking. 

There are five levels of showmanship.  Cloverbuds, or Pee Wee, are ages five through eight.  Novices are any age, nine through eighteen, for their first twelve months of competing in showmanship.  Juniors are nine through eleven years of age.  Intermediate are ages twelve through fourteen.  Seniors are fifteen and up. 

There was only one Cloverbud at our last 4-H show, this past Saturday.  My friend and I wished she had had some competition.  This little Cloverbud practiced twice a day for a month with her French angora junior buck. 


 

Cloverbud, checking the underside of her rabbit



First place cloverbud showmanship, out of one

I have two friends who were novices this year, and both did very well--much better than I did my first time.  The younger one got fifth place out of eight.  She lost points because her shirt had 3/4 length sleeves and didn't stay tucked in.  My first time I lost points because my bow came undone.  My other friend got second place.  She lost points for not being able to answer some questions.  But this was the first time for both of them, and they did really well.  Next time I expect they will get first and second places. 

No dirt or mites

No malclusion

No ear mites

Second place novice showmanship, out of seven competitors

My younger sister Lydia received first place in the junior level competition.  It was her first time competing in the junior class.  She was very nervous. 

Posing the rabbit

Getting ready to flip the rabbit

First place junior showmanship, out of five competitors

I also competed in showmanship, in the intermediate class.  Though I had already competed at this level twice before, this was my first time doing it California style.  California style is crazy.  But it was a good experience.  With California style, two or three or more youth present AT THE SAME TIME.  It was pretty nerve-wracking.  Probably the hardest thing for me was focusing on my presentation while hearing the others give theirs.  It was so awkward continuing my presentation while the others had already finished theirs.  Then I worried about the questions from the judge.  Because we had to know about the breeds that our competitors were using for their showmanship.  I was stressed because the others got so many more questions than I did.  At the end, I received first place.  I was so confused, because the judge didn't ask me very many questions. 

California style intermediate showmanship

Everybody goes at a different pace

First place intermediate showmanship, out of five competitors

Seniors just have to know everything there is to know about rabbits.

What Happens at a 4-H Meeting

Today I thought I’d post on what happens at a typical 4-H meeting.  First, we open the meeting and then recite our pledges to the United States of America and then our 4-H pledge.  Then we have roll call and introduction of new members.  The Treasurer’s report comes next.  The treasurer states our expenses and then how much we have left in the bank.  The secretary’s report tells what happened in our previous meeting.  New business is then presented and discussed.  Then we all discuss the previous month’s shows—where we went and what awards our rabbits received or how we did in showmanship.  All of the above happens at every 4-H meeting.  

(Oops.  My mom just realized she forgot to take any pictures.)

The next portion of the meeting is different each month.  At this month’s meeting we had a presentation by the 4-H coordinator about the ambassador program.  I’m too young for it, so I really didn’t pay much attention.  Next there was a presentation on a fundraiser.  Then we discussed our upcoming 4-H show, the expenses for it, locations for future shows, and made assignments for this show.  Finally, two of our members gave a presentation on mini rexes.  

Announcements always happen at the formal end of the meeting, and then the meeting is adjourned.  But most people usually hang around for a while.  The senior members of the club then help the younger members with showmanship, clerking practice, tattooing, or judging.  Basically, we help out with other members’ rabbits, learn new things, and socialize.  Each meeting lasts about an hour.

What do you do at shows?

First, check in.  For 4-H shows, check-in lasts about an hour.  For ARBA you can check in whenever, but they are busy, so you will want to arrive earlier rather than later.  If you are late and you miss your show, you miss your show.

After we’ve checked in, we look for the other angora breeders.  We are almost always together.  When you find the others, you always politely ask where you should set up, unless there is some obvious space for you.  It’s nice to have a table to set your cages on so that you don’t have to bend over so much.  

After you’ve located a spot and set up your table, give all your rabbits water and food. Next, find the table where your rabbits will be judged and determine where your rabbits are in the line-up.  Then set up your chair and grooming table.  French angora people usually set up their tables outside because of the blowers and blowing wool.  As soon as you can, start blowing and grooming.  French angoras are normally last, but occasionally the judges switch up the order.  This happened at the Gridley show.  We hadn’t started grooming soon enough, and not all the rabbits were ready when we were called up.  This cost Duchess a leg.  Don’t make the same mistake we did.

After you have blown your rabbits, you can hope it is close to show time.  Use the slicker comb to spruce them up just before taking them to the table.  If there are comment cards already placed on the table, match your rabbit to its card and put your rabbit in its designated space and then turn the card over.  When all your rabbits are at the table, move to the opposite side and let the judging begin.  

Following the judging, give your rabbit a treat while you look at what the vendors have to sell.  You can find cages, water bottles and crocks, treats, hay, feed, cage repair items, brushes, books, nesting boxes, grooming tables, gifts and more.  Breeders will also sell used items, cheaper than retail.  While your rabbit is still on break, also walk around and look at the rabbits for sale.  For yourself, you can usually find sodas and sandwiches at the snack bar.

Whether or not you are participating in the show, you will find some breeders that you can talk to. We have learned so much from going to shows.  We learn from breeders about grooming and feed.  We learn from judges about the disqualifications for French angora.  For example, we thought Blue would be DQ’d for her torn ear.  However, we also thought the judges might not even notice it.  One judge didn’t even notice it; none of them DQ’d her.  I learned about rabbit health from showmanship and about rabbit breeds from preparing for royalty contests.

Research Is Your Responsibility

4-H youth leaders are not always knowledgeable about your particular breed of rabbit, and especially angoras.  Angoras, at least in this area, are not popular, especially among younger children.  Most people fear the additional responsibility of grooming angoras.  This is completely unfounded, but that’s for another post.  

4-H youth leaders are always trying to be helpful, but there are 48 ARBA-recognized breeds of rabbits.  What is right for their rabbits won’t necessarily be right for yours.

French angoras are supposed to have a commercial body type and should be fleshier, but that is often overlooked by judges because wool is more important.  However, all of the French angora’s efforts are focused on wool production, and it can be really difficult to get their bodies in good shape. 

Anyway, I was advised by my 4-H president (youth leader) to switch to 18% protein to plump him up.  Many people think that because angoras produce so much wool, that they should have a higher protein content in their feed.  Because I was still learning and quite naïve, I took her advice.   

At a later show I learned from a judge that that was the worst thing I could feed my Indy.  In fact, our rabbits were almost disqualified.  A high protein feed gives sheen to the coat, giving the appearance of a satin angora.  Which is fine if you are a satin angora.  After being set right, at the next ARBA show two months later, Indy won a leg. 

The Advantages of Joining 4-H

When I learned what 4-H was, I thought it would be smart to join to learn about the rabbit I was raising.  Joining turned out to be a great idea. 

Why?

First, I had no idea how to actually handle my rabbit.  I obviously did not want to hurt my rabbit, and I didn’t want to scare him, either.  I learned how to support his body properly, how to check for ear mites, and how to check his teeth.

My first rabbit, Indy.  My sweetest rabbit unfortunately had a heart condition.  He passed away in June.

Because he was a French angora, I learned about wool block and how to treat it.  At one of the 4-H shows, I learned I was feeding him and my other rabbit the wrong feed.  Contrary to what a 4-H member told us, French angoras actually need a lower protein feed, about 15-16%, rather than the 18% I was feeding them.  

I also learned that I was over-plucking my rabbits.  

Ninja joined the rabbitry in November 2013, two days before Thanksgiving.

There are great opportunities for leadership, though I have not yet run for office.  I probably will next time elections are held.

In showmanship, which I was really afraid of, I learned how to show my rabbit properly and that it was really a lot of fun.  It is actually a health check that also helps me to identify better rabbits.    

Finally, I also really learn a lot at shows.  I get advice on feed and care.  If I have a new rabbit, I can take it and ask a 4-H leader to judge it, which has been really successful. 

Bunnies for Sale

Maple

 "Maple" and "Stanley"

Maple and Stanley are now three months old with good conformation .  They are both chocolate steel and their wool is finely crimped, with good density and good texture.  They have been handled since birth and would make mighty fine show rabbits.  Both have been vaccinated against Pasteurella (snuffles).

Stanley

The differences between them?  Maple weighs 4 lbs 10 oz, and Stanley is one pound more at 5 lbs 10 oz.

They are $70 each, with a $20 discount for 4-H.