schedule

Mandatory Breed Rabbit Identification and Tattoo Verification Day
Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 3 pm – 5 pmToney BuildingMandatory Market Rabbit Meat Pen Check-In
Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pmToney BuildingLivestock must be in place
Friday, July 25, 7 pmMarket Animal Weigh In and Breeding Animal Check In
Friday, July 25, 8 pmJr Fair Rabbit Showmanship
Saturday, July 26, 3pmJr Fair Rabbit Show
Sunday, July 27, 8 amJr Fair Livestock Sale
Friday, August 1, 9 amJr Fair Livestock Released
Friday, August 1, noon

All rabbit shows will be in the Rabbit Show Barn

General Rules

All meat pen entries must be at the Fairgrounds on the designated day in July.  Meat pens will be checked for breed and variety which will then be verified on Fair move-in night.  Failure to check-in a meat pen at the July check-in will result in a disqualification of rabbits.  If a pen of a different breed and/or variety was checked in in July is brought to the fair, then the project will be disqualified.
All breeding rabbits must be at the fairgrounds on the designated day prior to fair for a mandatory breed identification and tattoo verification day.  Any rabbit not verified will not be eligible to be shown.
All rabbits must be in the barn by 7:00 pm on Friday before the Fair.  All scratches for the show must be reported at the time of move in.
Each exhibitor may show a maximum of 8 individual rabbits (per ARBA standards) plus two meat pens of three.  
Each online entry must be complete: entry class number (e.g. Class 1 Senior Buck), list breed and color of rabbit (e.g. black Dutch, white New Zealand), sex of rabbit and tattoo number.  If entries are not complete, they will not be accepted.
EACH MEAT PEN EXHIBITOR MUST SHOW ONE ADDITIONAL RABBIT.
The Rabbit Buildings will be open from 6:00 am - 11:00 pm.  The buildings are locked at night for the security of the animals.
Exhibitors (or a representative) are required to bring meat pen rabbits to the table for weigh-in.
ARBA show standards will be followed for all breeds.
All rabbits will be assigned to a cage with corresponding tag.  Exhibitors are NOT permitted to move their rabbit to another cage without permission from the Adult Junior Fair Rabbit Advisors.  
Youth exhibitors must be able to handle their own rabbits and are required to carry their own rabbit to the show table. Adults are not allowed to handle animals with the exception of the exhibitor’s 4-H advisor. If a youth needs assistance bringing their rabbit to the show ring, another Preble County Fair youth exhibitor or their 4-H advisor may carry the animal to the show table.  

Showmanship

Once an exhibitor places a rabbit on the table for a showmanship class, that same animal must be used throughout the showmanship class per ARBA Classifications.
All rabbit exhibitors must show in showmanship.  The order of showmanship will be from youngest to oldest.

Age, Identification and Weight

All show rabbits must be in the exhibitor’s possession by May 1st. All meat rabbits must be in the exhibitor’s possession by July 1st.
All rabbits must have a permanent legible ear tattoo. Rabbits must be tattooed in the left ear before move in day at fair. The judge will read the Champion and Reserve Champion rabbits’ tattoos and they must match the entry form.
All meat pen rabbits need individual tattoos to properly designate animals and clarify identity on DUNF (example: meat pen animals tattooed L1, L2, L3). If an exhibitor is entering two meat pens, each meat pen must be tattooed differently (example: meat pen L1, L2, L3 AND M1, M2, M3).

Health and Care

Rabbit cages and under cages must be cleaned daily and upon move out day.
Exhibitors are responsible for providing their own bedding.  No cedar shavings are allowed due to health hazards.

Meat Rabbits - Specific Rules

Rabbits in a Meat pen of Three may not be shown in a breeding class.
Final table selection for meat pens: A 4-H rabbit advisor for each club represented in the rabbit meat pen competition may be present inside the building during the process.  No person may speak with the judge, however, and may not ask any questions as to why a pen was not chosen.  Any person who does not follow this will be asked to leave.  Refusal to leave will result in sanctions.
A meat pen is three animals, identical in size, weight, appearance, and age and must be a minimum of 56 days and not exceed 70 days of age.  Each meat pen rabbit must weigh a minimum of 3 1/2 pounds and not exceed 5 1/2 pounds.  Only meat rabbits meeting these weight requirements will be eligible to show and sell.  Each exhibitor may exhibit 2 meat pens with separate tattoos.
All meat rabbits must be an accepted ARBA six class breed and variety.  
All meat rabbits are judged according to ARBA standards.  Refer to 4-H Resource book for information.  In order for a meat pen to be eligible for the final table, it must conform to accepted standards.
All meat pens must be physically checked to verify tattoo numbers by an adult rabbit committee member or Junior Fair Board member on the rabbit committee before placed in pen.
One meat pen may sell for premium bid and the other pen may be purchased by packer.
If pen of market rabbits will not be sold in the sale, the exhibitor must scratch the pen of meat rabbits from the sale at the fair weigh in.  Any market pen that is not scratched at fair weigh in will be included in the sale.  

classes

Showmanship

 8, 9 10 years old
& 12 years old
& 14 years  old
& 16 years old
and older

Breeding Classes

Consult the 4-H Rabbit Resource Book of the ARBA Standards of Perfection if you are unsure of the specific class your breed should show.

Four Classes are provided for all breeds having less than 9-pound senior ideal weight.

1.	Senior Buck - 6 months of age and older2.	Senior Doe - 6 months of age and older3.	Junior Buck - Under 6 months of age4.	Junior Doe - Under 6 months of age

Six Classes are provided for all breeds having a 9 pound or larger senior ideal weight.

5.	Senior Buck - 8 months of age and older6.	Senior Doe - 8 months of age and older7.	Intermediate Buck - 6 months and under 8 months8.	Intermediate Doe - 6 months and under 8 months9.	Junior Buck - Under 6 months of age10.	Junior Doe - Under 6 months of age

Market Class

1.	Meat Pen of Three

schedule

classes

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