2020 Rabbit Skillathon Study Guide

The Union County Fair Rabbit Skillathon will take place on Thursday, July 30. Seniors will begin at 9:00 am, Juniors and Intermediates will begin at 9:45 am. The Richwood Fair Rabbit Skillathon will be held Friday, September 4, at 9:00 am in the Show Arena. Exhibitors should bring their completed 2020 Union County Livestock Record Book and a pencil. This Study Guide gives information about the stations that will be in the Rabbit Skillathon. Age divisions for skillathon will be as follows (your age as of January 1, 2020): Juniors: Ages 8-10, Intermediates: Ages 11-13, Seniors: Ages 14-18.

Station #1 Project Record All Levels A skillathon moderator will review your Union County Livestock Record Book and award points for completion. You can download a 2020 Union County Livestock Record Book at: https://go.osu.edu/2020livestockrecbk. You should have your Livestock Record Book completed prior to arriving at Skillathon. Be sure to complete ALL sections of the record book. A completed FFA Animal Enterprise Record Book can be used: (print out and bring completed, printed copy).

Station #2 Interview Station All Levels You will be asked 5 questions by an interview judge based on your Rabbit Project. You will earn 6 points for each correct answer. All questions are based on your Rabbit Resource Handbook (228R). Samples of the types of questions you may be asked are included with this Study Guide.

Station #3 Quality Assurance All Levels

You will be asked questions about Good Production Practices (GPP) # 1, 3 & 6.

GPP #1: Use an appropriate Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR) as

the basis for medication decision-making

GPP #3: Use antibiotics responsibly

GPP #6: Establish effective animal identification, medication records, and

withdrawal times

Juniors will be asked about basic Quality Assurance concepts, such as different types

of medication use (Label Use, Extra-Label Use, etc), VCPR, and basic animal

identification methods.

Intermediates and Seniors will be asked questions about all 3 of the above GPP’s.

Topics could include filling out a treatment record and figuring withdrawal time, types of

medication use, and basics of responsible antibiotic use.

Also; an outline to review this year’s QA topics is available on our website at: (TBA at a

later date)

Station #4** - Meat Pens Pen of 3 Exhibitors Only **4-H’ers who take both Breeding and Market Rabbits may choose to complete both sets of station #4. When graded, the highest score of the 2 will be taken. You may also choose to only complete one, if you wish.

Juniors - Will be asked to name the 4 factors and point value in order of importance. Intermediates/Seniors - Will be asked to name the 4 factors and give one thing the judge is looking for in each.

1. Use the following 5 resources for information for this station: Point Schedule for Meat Pens Using the Standard of Perfection p. 36-37, or the link below, become familiar with the Point Schedule for Judging Meat Pens. Also be prepared to answer other questions based on information in this article.

2. Meat Pens - http://www.twobucksandadoe.com/meat-pen-judging-information.html

3. Raising Rabbits for Meat/Marketing

Rabbit Resource Handbook ch.9 and ch.11 Using the article below, be familiar with the class chart for market rabbits and

also be prepared to answer other questions based on information in the article and the Rabbit Resource Handbook chapters.

https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec1656.pdf

4. Meat Pen Video with a Judge Be prepared to answer questions based on video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIxkstaI3Qk

5. Cuts and Grades of Meat

Know serving portions of rabbits and USDA grades for rabbit carcasses

Station #4** - Rabbit Breeding Breed Exhibitors only **4-H’ers who take both Breeding and Market Rabbits may choose to complete both sets of station #4. When graded, the highest score of the 2 will be taken. You may also choose to only complete one, if you wish.

Use the following 7 resources for information for this station:

1. ARBA Recognized Breeds https://arba.net/recognized-breeds/ Link to OSU 4-H Rabbit Resource Handbook Breeds Pages ARBA Rabbit Breeds Profile

2. Rabbit Selection and Show Preparation

Be prepared to answer questions based specifically on Chapter 3 (Selection) and Chapter 10 (Show and Preparation) of the Rabbit Resource Book.

3. Conformation/Body Type/Breed

Juniors: Will match pictures of 10 named rabbits with their body type. Intermediates/Seniors: Will identify 5 rabbits and be able to write their names and body type.

4. Fur Type

Juniors- List the 3 subtypes of normal fur Intermediates/Seniors- List the 3 subtypes of normal fur and list one breed with each subtype.

5. Show Classes and Procedures Define 6 Class and 4 Class rabbit breeds. Rabbits are judged in classes from oldest to youngest. Be prepared to

discuss the chart found on page 89 of the Rabbit Resource Handbook)

6. Terms for Rabbit Show Awards (Juniors/Intermediate) Be able to define rabbit show awards based off of their abbreviations.

7. Color Disqualifications (SENIORS )

Be prepared to answer questions from the chart found on p. 32-33 of the Rabbit Resource Handbook)

Station # 5 Anatomy ALL Levels

Juniors/Intermediates- Body Parts- no word bank- identify 15 parts of the external body.

Seniors- Skeletal System- word bank provided- identify 15 parts of skeletal system.

Resources: Rabbit Resource Handbook p. 27 and 28 Geauga County 4-H Link to external body parts and skeletal system matching tools. http://geauga4h.org/rabbits/index.htm

Station #6 Rabbit Terminology ALL

Juniors - Identify 10 words using a word bank

Intermediates - Identify 10 words from the junior or intermediate list. No word bank provided.

Seniors- Identify 10 words from the junior, intermediate or senior list. No word bank provided.

Resources:

Rabbit Resource Handbook- glossary, Breeding Rabbit Project and Record Book p. 12, 18, 26

Tie Breaker (Optional)- Rabbit Breeds Be prepared to answer questions about 3 specific rabbit breeds. You will be asked questions about the Creme D’Argent, Silver, and Thrianta breeds. Please study the Standard of Perfection and American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) website for information.

QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEW

Breeding Rabbits

Juniors:

1. Both domestic and wild European rabbits developed from the species Oryctolagus cuniculus. What does Oryctolagus mean?

2. According to the Rabbit Resource Handbook, when did rabbit fanciers begin to breed rabbits to show in competitions?

3. Name the 5 factors you should consider when buying a rabbit. 4. List the four basic rabbit needs. 5. What are the four fur types? 6. What are two things to check the nest box for within 24 hours of kindling? 7. According to the Rabbit Resource Handbook, what are the advantages of rabbit

projects? 8. What does it mean to wean a rabbit? 9. Recite the 4-H Pledge. 10. What is ARBA and how many breeds of rabbits are sanctioned?

Intermediates: (as well as junior questions)

1. Name 3 of the 5 factors you should consider when buying a rabbit and give a brief description.

2. List 3 differences between a rabbit and a hare? 3. When do you remove kits from the nest box to prevent disease from developing

in the box? 4. Why should you take the doe to the buck when breeding? 5. According to the chart on page 100 of the Rabbit Resource Handbook, what are

the topics important to Rabbit Quality Assurance and the Producer? Seniors: (as well as junior and intermediate questions)

1. Give three examples of disqualifications that are temporary? 2. When should all young rabbits be weaned by? 3. From the day you get your rabbits to the day they leave your care, what kind of

records should you keep? 4. Rabbits should not be bred until they reach sexual maturity. What are the general

ages for the following: large breed, medium-sized breeds, and small breeds? 5. List the three subtypes of normal fur and name a breed with each.

Market Rabbits

Juniors:

1. Both domestic and wild European rabbits developed from the species Oryctolagus cuniculus. What does Oryctolagus mean?

2. What is withdrawal time? 3. What are the two P’s of working with your rabbit? 4. What are the two main options for selling rabbit meat? 5. Recite the 4-H Pledge. 6. What does it mean to quarantine a rabbit? 7. What are the black markings on the Californian breed called? 8. What is the maximum age for a meat pen? 9. What are cecotropes? 10. Where should feed be stored?

Intermediates: (as well as junior questions)

1. According to ARBA, how many varieties are in the New Zealand breed and name them.

2. What are the ages of fryers, roasters, and stewers? 3. List 3 differences between a rabbit and a hare? 4. To make a disinfecting solution for hutches or cages, what is the ratio of bleach

to water? 5. What is yellow fat?

Seniors: (as well as junior and intermediate questions)

1. How can you contribute to good Rabbit Show Ethics? 2. Describe the meat of fryers versus the meat of roasters and stewers. 3. From the day you get your rabbits to the day they leave your care, what kind of

records should you keep? 4. What direction should an outside rabbit hutch face and why? 5. What should pelleted feed contain?