Since nobody has replied yet I will tell you what little info I know about meat pens. The four factors of importance are meat type, condition, uniformity and fur, in that order. Maximum age is ten weeks with a minimum weight of three pounds and a max weight of five pounds.

Meat type: 40 points
Condition: 30 points
Uniformity: 20 points
Fur: 10 points


I do not know what you mean by "breeding class and fitting and showing". I have been going to about five shows a year for the last six years and I have never heard of those classes, maybe that is something only in youth

 

When the kids show their rabbits at fair the rabbits are weighed in and the kids are instructed as to which cages to place their rabbits. The kids then join the audience. The judge examines all the bunnies and then makes their pick. While the judge is working No one should point or indicate which rabbit is theirs.

 

Also if you have more than the minimum rabbits needed save tattooing until that morning, their weights can fluctuate that much.

 

Thanks for the responses! Yes, I've heard to wait to tattoo also, but I just borrowed the tattoo gun from the Extension office, so I'll just leave the form blank for tattoo #s. I've already told my stepson he'll want to start weighing the rabbits regularly and figuring out which will be the best to enter.

bassmaster, the showmanship or fitting and showing class is probably a 4-H thing. They put the rabbits on the table and give a talk about their rabbit, showing the eyes, ears, teeth, toenails, etc.

 

You can fill in the tattoo number on the form just don't put it on the rabbit until the last minute. To keep track of which bunny is which just mark the inside of their ear with a sharpie, you'll have to do this a couple of times as it does wear off. If he's doing 4H check with the project leader as someone usually brings a tattoo set up to fair.

 

I have notes on raising meat pens on my website
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/meatpennotes.html

You asked about the show. The three rabbits are entered together. Choose your tattoo numbers now for the entry and then you put those numbers on the lucky rabbits that will compete.

The rabbits usually get put in one cage or may two in one and one in another cage while waiting for judging. The rabbits are brought to the judge who will weigh the rabbits to be sure they are in the range. Too heavy or too light will be disqualified. Then they will be examined for faults or any other disqualifications. After weeding out any DQs, the judge will decide which pen of 3 is first place, second place, etc.

It can be a real nail biter because you work all year and you get one shot.

If you have extra bunnies, see if your fair has a contest for "single fryer" which is same guidelines as meat pens but single rabbit. Our fair used to allow one meat pen and two fryers per child to enter.

Have a good day!

 

Ask the livestock person at the fair, some one should be able to tell you, some places do it a little differently. But make sure they are not over or under weight or age and they are as close as can be in size, build, and color.