NYS 4-H Youth Development
Description: This project is suitable for youngsters of all ages from urban, suburban and rural communities. Lessons include all aspects of rabbit management and the science behind it. Young people learn about animal care, health, nutrition, physiology, breeding, genetics, housing, behavior, record keeping and presenting themselves and their animals to the public. Some participants may choose to enter their rabbits in shows and fairs or to produce meat and fur, but neither activity is required. Students may be challenged by the many-faceted Rabbit Science Decathlon, held each year at the State Fair and similar exercises held in many counties.
BUNNY JUMPING ANYONE?
Super Bunnies Video
Competitive Bunny Jumping Video
**Not an official 4-H event (yet)
NYS Rabbit Project Record Book
The Rabbit Basics Manual (pdf format)
Rabbit Science Decathlon New stations in '08
Audience: Youth 5 to 19 years of age.
Primary Resources
(and sources of Rabbit Science Decathlon questions):- Kansas State University 4-H Rabbit Curriculum (available from Cornell Animal Science Dept.)
- Your Rabbit: A Kid's Guide to raising and Showing Rabbits. 1992. by Nancy Searle. Garden Way Publishing, Storey Communications, Pownal, Vermont 05261
- Rabbit Production, 8th edition. Cheeke, Patton, Lukefahr and McNitt. Interstate Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 50, Danville, Illinois 61834-0050.
- American Rabbit Breeders Standard of Perfection 2006 - 2010 and Official Guide Book to Raising Rabbits & Cavies.
Secondary Resources:
- Ohio State University Learning Lab Kits are available at the Ohio State website (linked above) or by contacting Communications and Technology Media Distribution (614) 292-1607 or E-mail pubs@ag.osu.edu to order.
Rabbit Resource Links:
NY Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association
Rabbit Behavior: Interpreting behavior and understanding the rabbit.
Grooming: Care of long and short haired rabbits, moulting, fleas, nail clipping, etc.
Wild Rabbits: The life and ecology of European rabbits.
Diseases of Rabbits: The symptoms, treatment, and prevention of many rabbit diseases.
United States Department of Agriculture. Rabbit from Farm to Table Fact Sheet
