Rabbit

PIMA COUNTY 4-H & FFA

b. All rabbit project showmen must participate in one show AND workshop before the fair.

c. Participation in a fair preparation work day. 

d. There will be a $1 per cage fee for each entry into the fair.   Fees must be paid at check-in. A meat pen of 3 rabbits is one cage. Fees must be paid in cash at check-in.

1. All rabbits will be checked for disease at the time of check-in. Animals showing signs of disease as determined by the Project Coordinator or designees will be immediately removed from the Fairgrounds

2. If an exhibitor is not taking care of their exhibits, the Project Coordinator may issue a warning to the Exhibitor.

3. If an exhibitor still does not provide proper care for the animal(s), the Project Coordinator may require the Exhibitor to remove all animals and/or forfeit any awards and/or ban the exhibitor from showing in future Pima County Fairs. 

4. Treatment of animals exhibiting signs of disease include the use of topical anti-parasitic drugs is not permitted within the livestock barn or fairgrounds. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure all animals have been inspected and properly treated for disease prior to check-in. See General Animal Science Rules for more info. 

a.    If an exhibitor has only one (1) rabbit that is then removed from check-in, they may participate in Showmanship with a borrowed animal from another exhibitor.

b.    Changes must be approved by the Project Coordinator during the Check-In Period.

a.    The showmanship contest will be judged only on the exhibitor's ability to show their knowledge in handling, fitting and selecting animals for production and show.  The Judge may also ask questions pertaining to the project. 

b.    Exhibitors in Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Showmanship must show a rabbit that is one of the breeds recognized by the ARBA. No pet class rabbits may be used because exhibitors who receive callbacks may be required to exchange rabbits with other exhibitors. 

a.    Exhibitors are limited to two (2) live meat pens 

                                                 i.     Rabbit Meat Pens (per ARBA Rules) will consist of three (3) rabbits, all the same breed and variety. The Meat Pen will be disqualified if more than one (1) breed and/or variety is in the same Meat Pen. 

                                               ii.     Age limit will be a minimum of 6 weeks but not over 10 weeks at the time of Fair Check-In.

                                             iii.     See ARBA Standard of Perfection for current weight limits.                    

                                              iv.     All rabbits in Meat Pen must have permanent tattoo marks in their left ears and must be the same as the recorded entry.

                                               v.     Confirm ear tattoos and sex by Fair Workday.                           

                                              vi.     Mother of the meat pen must be owned by the Exhibitor by Jan. 31st, 2026, prior to kindling. Mother of the meat pen must have EAR TATTOO listed on the Ownership Entry Form for Fryer to be accepted at Fair Check-In.

b.    Exhibitors are limited to two (2) single live fryers

                                                 i.     Age limit will be a minimum of 6 weeks but not over 10 weeks at the time of Fair Check-In.                                    

                                               ii.     See ARBA Standard of Perfection for current weight limits.                    

                                             iii.     Fryers must have a permanent tattoo mark in their left ear and must be the same as the recorded entry. 

                                              iv.     Confirm ear tattoos and sex by Fair Workday.                           

                                               v.     Mother of the Fryer must be owned by the Exhibitor by Jan. 31st, 2026, prior to kindling. Mother of Fryer must have EAR TATTOO listed on the Ownership Entry Form for Fryer to be accepted at Fair Check-In.

                                              vi.     Fryers must be entered on the entry form, confirm ear tattoos and sex by Fair Workday.

c.     Grand and Reserve Champion, and blue-ribbon Meat Pens and Fryers must sell in the Small Stock Auction.

a.    All classes will be judged by American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standards and the Judge's decision will be final. 

b.    Each breed will be judged separately. Where there is no competition, judges may award one ribbon or no ribbon according to merit.  

c.     The Danish system of ribbons, blue/red/ white, will be used. 

d.    Only Blue-Ribbon winners will be allowed to participate in the Small Stock Auction.

e.    Awards will be presented as follows (only if exhibit merits such award).

                                                 i.     All Breeds

1.    Best of Breed

2.    Best Opposite of Breed3.     

3.    Best 4 Class4.     

4.    Best 6 Class

5.    Best in Show

6.    Reserve in Show

                                               ii.     Meat Pens

1.    Grand Champion Meat Pen

2.    Reserve Champion Meat Pen                 

                                             iii.     Fryers

1.    Grand Champion Fryer

2. Reserve Champion Fryer

a.    All rabbits sold in the small stock auction must have a pedigree submitted with fair entry.

b.    Only blue-ribbon animals may be eligible for sale at the Small Stock Auction.

c.     All Rabbit Members who want to participate in the Small Stock Auction must have a current YQCA Quality Assurance Certificate and participate in both the Breed Show and Showmanship Classes.

d.    All rabbits sold in the auction must be four (4) years of age or younger.

e.    Animals that are not being cared for appropriately (fed, watered, and cleaned) should be removed from the fairgrounds based on the decision of the Project Coordinator. These animals WILL NOT be permitted to auction.

f.      All Rabbits in the Small Stock Auction must remain at the fair until check-out after the small stock auction.

g.    See Small Stock Auction Rules for more information located in the Pima County Junior Livestock Sales, Inc. Auction Rules.