01/19/2025
I took this post from another breeder and got permission to use it for Denim & Lace Rabbitry and Kellers Kritters (for chickens)
This is my little PSA for 4-H and FFA families. Feel free to share this with whom you’d like!
It’s that time of year! You will be showing in your county fair! You are maybe interested in continuing a project area you enjoyed, or starting a new one in RABBITS, CAVY or CHICKENS! 🐇 🐓
Rabbits and chickens are an awesome project area for youth of all ages. This is also a pretty welcoming project area for people with little to know experience. However, your enthusiasm and innocence can be taken advantage of…
The rabbit, cavy and chicken projects are NOT about winning, getting a ribbon, or a belt buckle even though that can be an exciting highlight to your experience. The focus IS to be on the care of the animal, becoming an expert on your animal, and sharing the information and experiences you learned from!
That being said, selecting high quality animals is an important part of the learning experience and quickly sets you up for success or failure. I also understand that not everyone has the same budget and there are breeders including myself that are willing to work with everyone no matter their budget.
What to look for when selecting RABBITS, CAVY or CHICKENS
1. Is the breeder excited to educate you about how to select high quality animals? Are they excited to continue communication with you after the purchase? Do they offer you a detailed plan of how to prepare your animal for show day and every day leading up to it? The theme here is excitement and investment for YOU to succeed.
2. Can they prove to you their involvement in current shows? Can they talk to you about the CURRENT breed standard through the American Rabbit Breeders Association or American Poultry Association or American Bantatan Association? If they can’t, but proclaim they have “champion rabbits”, question their claims to fame… if they aren’t knowledgeable, how can you truly learn from them?
3. Can they refer you to other high quality rabbit or chicken breeders? If they can’t or refuse, they might be people that probably didn’t pass the first two guidelines. Or they are wanting you control you and your learning.
4-H and FFA members, I am happy to help you with your project animal or continuation in rabbits and chickens! It’s very exciting to me to get youth involved and become experts. While I am happy to provide you high quality rabbits and help you with chickens, I am also happy to connect you with others that can provide you high quality rabbits! I am very active with ARBA shows and do well with rabbits I breed and raise. I make sure only high quality rabbits leave my farm. I am newer to chickens, but I feel we have a good start and can help with them too.
Please send me a message if you would like to get started in RABBITS, CAVY or CHICKENS! 🐇