please explain show meat pens

[SquashNut]

I am going to 2 rabbit shoiws (fairs with 4-h rabbits). What are the meat pens about?
Where do the rabbits come from? Do the 4-h's breed them or buy them to raise?
If there was a trio in the meat pen of a buck and 2 does would they be worthy of becoming a breeding trio? Are they usually pedigreed? Are they always pure bred?
Do they auction them off or can you offer to buy them?
Any thing else you can tell me would be appreciated. Is a fair even a good place to look for rabbits. Or at least make contacts to buy rabbits.

I found a web site that explained that they have to butcher the meat pen rabbits. So I guess you cannt buy them for breeding.

[dlwelch]

I sell a lot of market rabbits. You might find a bit of a clarification
here:
http://www.texasrabbitconnection.com/Information.htm

1. The rabbits come from specialized breeders or the exhibitor
can raise his market project. For some counties in Texas, it is a
requirement that the exhibitor have possession of the doe at
kindling. Due to rabbits requiring a lot of care during the summer,
many exhibitors elect to purchase the project if possible.

2. Yes, rabbits from market rabbit projects often are sold as "breeders".

3. Rarely will you find a breeder who provides a pedigree with
market projects. Often the rabbits are selected from different
litters.

4. Most fairs in my state require purebred meat breed rabbits.
A few will accept crossbreds.

5. Most fairs have an auction. Not all pens are auctioned.
My county only allows the top 10 pens to be auctioned. Others
will have a percentage of the entries. In most instances, the rabbits
are allowed to return home with the exhibitors. (The winning
bidder rarely takes possession.)

6. In my state, there are only a few counties (out of 250 plus)
requiring the rabbits to be processed.

7. In my state, the quality of rabbits at a county fair is outstanding.
In many instances, the quality is better than rabbits exhibited at
ARBA shows

Market rabbit are very popular in my state. A county near
me had the Grand Champion meat pen to sell for $17,000
this year.

Linda Welch
Chairperson,
ARBA Commercial Dept. Committee

[SquashNut]

wow, thats way out of my price range.
I still will go to see the fair any way, I might still make some connections, as I am looking for 2 or 3 more rabbits.
Thats alot of money!

[March Hare]

Squashnut,

Everything Linda said is correct, but I think you may have come to an incorrect conclusion.

At the county fair she mentioned, the Grand Champion meat pen was part of the auction, wherein many supporters of our youth buy these project animals not for breeding or even for eating -- but to help the kids pay for future projects, college funds, etc.... Thus, these fine benefactors bid up the price to extremely high levels all in the name of helping our youth.

Many of the folks showing animals at the fairs indeed have excellent stock and would be good contacts to potentially purchase stock from. I have seen rabbits range from a low of around $25 each to well over $100 each recently. Most breeders will give you a bit of a price break for 4-H kids, multiple sales, etc... when they quote you a price.

Folks can get involved in a rabbit project for a relatively modest outlay of cash, particularly in comparison to other animal projects. The principle costs will include cages and equipment, feed, and your rabbits. Expect to pay $15 - $40 per rabbit cage (adults should be kept in separate cages), including watering and feeding equipment. Feed typically runs between $8 and $14 per 50lb. bag.

Best of luck to you.

Russ
www.marchharesrabbitry.com

[jil101ca]

I read that a meat pen is where you have 4-6 rabbits the same age and they all have to weigh the same (within oz) and be the same size. The rabbits are judge on condition weight ect. Is this correct?

[March Hare]

Generally, a meat or market pen will consist of three rabbits of the same breed, each between three and five pounds and no more than 70 days old. Specific show rules sometimes are a bit different.

Uniformity is part of the point-schedule for judging meat pens. Ideally, you want your pen to weigh the same (and as near as possible to the upper weight limit), look the same and feel the same.

The point schedule is this:

Meat Type - 40 Points
Condition - 30 Points
Uniformity - 20 Points
Fur - 10 Points

Meat type refers to how the rabbit is put together and how well the body is filled out with flesh. Condition refers to whether the animal has nice firm flesh or is overweight and soft. Uniformity pulls together how each of the animals in the pen weighs/looks/feels, etc... in comparison to the others. Fur refers to how close to a prime coat the animals exhibit.

Russ
www.marchharesrabbitry.com

[HaysFarm]

I would call or go talk to a 4-h leader or AG agent in your area that would be able to tell you the rules for your area.
Here (florida) the rules very by countys sometimes.
We do 3 fairs every year and they all have diffrent rules.

But meat pens are just like everyone else said,
3 rabbits, bucks or does, all the same breed ( some places like here can be cross breed) size ext..
Have fun and good luck

[seanmn]

every fair is probably a little different. I used to show meat pens and single fryers when I was a kid in 4-H. You want them as close to 5 pounds without going over. all 3 must be the same breed and variety. They don't have to be from the same litter but I learned they'll have better conformation in relation in each other when there littermates. I've also found the best meat pens are from does who are only milking about 3-6 kits.