My Rabbit and Cavy Project Record Book

Transcription

1 My Rabbit and Cavy Project Record Book Due on or before June 15, 2015 To be turned into the Fair Office, Marysville Required for all St Clair County rabbit/cavy project members Member Name: 4H Age: Years in Rabbit/Cavy Project: Club: Feed I Use: By signing below, I am stating that I have completed this record book myself and, to the best of my knowledge, the information included in it is correct. 4-H member signature Date

2 Signatures ***By signing below, I am stating that I am familiar with this work and, to the best of my knowledge, the member completed this record book and the information included in it is correct.* Title Signature Date Parent 4-H club leader Rabbit and Cavy Book Project Book Requirements The Rabbit and Cavy Project Book is required to be completed to show in the Rabbit and Cavy Project area at the St. Clair County Fair Project books should be placed in a 1 white binder, with page 1 under the front overlay. Attach a fair exhibitor tag to the front of the book, completely filled out. Get required signatures and follow the directions on the top of each page. Do only the sections assigned to your age group. When putting your pages in the 1 binder, put them in the order they are given to you and all pictures and additional information should be place behind it. Do not put the record book pages in page protectors, but you may put your own additional pages in page protectors. Answers are found in the American Rabbit Breeders Association Standard of Perfection or resource listed at top of page. Complete every page in the project book, Rabbit Exhibitors need to fill out cavy portions and Cavy Exhibitors need to fill out rabbit portions. Do not leave any blank answers. Incomplete books will not be scored and will receive a C rating. Effort, creativity, correctness and completeness of answers will be used in judging the project record book. The project book given to you will be scored, but you are encouraged to also add other information such as: -Information about your rabbitry/cavy- housing, feed, breeding, and so on. -Information about your specific breeds -Pictures of your rabbits/cavies, you showing your rabbits/cavies and so on -General Rabbit/Cavy Information -Anything rabbit/cavy related you would like to include. Bonus points will be given. If there are ties, there may be interviews, which will be held Monday of fair following Rabbit Science interviews. Names will be posted in the barn on Sunday of fair, of those to be interviewed. The project books will be graded and placed by Young, Novice, Intermediate, Junior and Senior, then, placed Overall top 5 books with a Grand and Reserve awarded If you have any questions on The Rabbit and Cavy Project Book please contact Rob or Cathie Usakowski at or at info@threelittleladiesrabbitry.com 2

3 My Rabbit/Cavy Project Story You may use the outline below to assist you in writing your project story. In the story you should tell the reader things you ve learned about your animal and what skills you ve learned in the project. You should also explain what you will do in the future to improve your project. If you chose to fill out this outline it does not require complete sentences. I. Introduction Introduce your story and capture your reader s interest. II. What did I learn? A. B. C. III. What I like about my animals A. B. C. IV. What improvements could I make? A. B. C. V. What skills did I learn? A. B. C. VI. Conclusion Leave the reader with the general idea or impression that you want them to have. 3

4 My 4-H Rabbit/Cavy Project Story Use a maximum of two pages 4

5 Animal Care & Management Because your project is a living creature, it requires regular care and management. Here is the place to explain what you regularly do for or with your animal on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Be as specific as possible. Do not forget to list the following: Feeding and watering practices Exercising Grooming (brushing, clipping nails, check health) Clean and disinfect cage, food/water containers Manure removal Daily What I do for my project animal Weekly Monthly Yearly 5

6 Pictures of Your Project Use a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 pictures to tell the story of your rabbit project. Under each picture, write a caption to explain what you are doing and why. Your photos should demonstrate at least 3 (three) different skills that you have learned or taught. 6

7 Pictures of Your Project (Page 2) 7

8 Breeding & Caring for Young Resources for this page is the ARBA website page, Everyone does this page Match the following to the correct recommended age to enter rabbits in a breeding program. Draw a line. Small breeds Medium breeds Large/Giant breeds 10 to 12 months 6 to 8 months 4 to 6 months True or False- put an T in the blank for True and an F in the blank if the statement is false. 1. when breeding, you take the doe to the bucks cage. 2. the gestation of rabbit is typically days. 3. Nest boxes need to be offered to a doe minimally at day It is recommended that litters be weaned between 9 and 12 weeks of age for optimum growth. 5. The maximum amount of litters that the average breeding doe will produce in a year is three litters. 6. for cavies, it is recommended that boars enter a breeding program at five to six months old and sows at four months of age. 7. It is recommended that if a sow is to be bred, her first breeding occurs before 12 months of age to prevent her pelvis from fusing making pregnancy dangerous for the sow. 8

9 Identify the rabbits and cavy breeds: Everyone completes this page. 9

10 General Questions About Your 4-H Rabbit Project Please complete questions for your showmanship animal if you do not not have a showmanship rabbit, choose your favorite rabbit. NOVICE AND YOUNG ONLY do this page 1. What breed is your rabbit? 2. What variety (and color group if it applies) is your rabbit? 3. Is your rabbit a 4-Class or 6-Class breed? 4. What are the complete weight ranges for each class for your breed according to the Standard of Perfection? 5. Name the 4 fur types recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA): What is the fur type of your rabbit? 6. What color should your rabbit s eye color be for it s variety according to the Standard of Perfection? Does your rabbit have the correct eye color? (circle) Yes No Is incorrect eye color a fault or a disqualification (DQ)? (circle) Fault DQ 7. Name the 5 body types recognized by the ARBA: What body type is your rabbit? 8. How many breeds are currently recognized by the ARBA? 10

11 Rabbit and Cavy Care Resource for this section is The ARBA Website - Intermediate, Junior and Senior complete this page. 1. The ideal environmental temperature range for a rabbit is. 2., and in cages are examples of methods to help animals cope with high temperature. 3. During cold weather months, animals may require more feed as more is used in cold temperatures. 4. Ideally cavies are raised in a. 5. Cavy temperatures should fall between. 6. Adequate light/dark cycles need to be provided such as and for cavies. 7. The milling date for rabbit feed is located on the feed bag and feed should not be used if the feed is greater than. 8. Cavies require Vitamin C to prevent. 9. and should not be relied upon as a complete diet for rabbits or cavies. 10. Measured amounts of rabbit feed should be consumed in a timely fashion so the entire ration is used up within a few hours. It is recommended that animals be fed - once a day. 11. Feeders and water receptacles (including watering systems) need to be periodically cleaned with an appropriate cleaning agent to reduce, and. 12. It is not recommended that animals be fed free choice with the notable exception of and. 11

12 The Scoop on Poop! Intermediate, Junior & Seniors complete this page Rabbits produce two types of droppings, what are they? and 2. One of the most common causes of diarrhea is. 3. What are two common causes for diarrhea for a kit? and 4. Very young rabbits have a sterile lower intestine until they begin to Eat solid food at the age of 5. Common health problems that may be accompanied by loose stools include,, and. Unscramble the rabbit and cavy terms. Use the Standard of Perfection. (R)PNYISE (R)NOPE ATOC (R)SASLEST (R)LEMAY (R)SENO ROKF (R)NELIRIHA (R)CHUNPA (C)DIGER (C)SLSEPAHS (R)WNA LUFFF (R)TWRSEE (R)TIRMOP (C)DACLYTYLOP Use the first letter of each unscrambled word to fill in the mystery word 12

13 Conclusion The three most important things I learned Even if you learned a lot of different things in 4-H, think of what was the most important for you. Then, list the three most important things you learned in this project during the past year in the boxes below. For instance, I learned how to care for my animals, I learned that working with senior citizens is challenging but also fun, I learned to speak in front of my club without being afraid. Three most important things I learned this year My project goals for next year Now is a good time to begin thinking about what you'd like to do or learn in 4-H next year. List some of your goals for next year and what plan you have to accomplish your goals. Three goals I have for next year MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. 13