Objectives:

1. To demonstrate Rabbit & Poultry project knowledge.
2. To encourage interest in Rabbit and Poultry projects and their respective industries.

Rules:

1. Youth members must be registered in a Poultry or Rabbit project to participate
   1. Rabbits 4-H-228
   2. Poultry 4H-150 CE, CM, CEP, DE, DM, GE, GM, TE, TM & H
2. Entries due July 1, 4:00 p.m. 
3. Posters must be checked-in during the rabbit & poultry check-in on Sunday July 7
4. Posters must be made using size 22”x 28” poster board.  No foam or science fair display boards.
5. Posters must represent the topic assigned for the current year’s contest:
   1. 2024 – any topic from the Rabbit or Poultry project books listed above
6. The poster must be clearly labeled in the lower right-hand corner, in a space no larger than 3”x 5” with the exhibitor’s name, club name and 4-H age as of Jan. 1, 2024.
7. RABBIT ONLY:  If you plan to submit the poster to the Ohio State Fair, it is recommended you cover the poster in plastic or laminate.  Be sure to review the rules for the Ohio State Junior Fair Poster Exhibit.
8. Posters will be judged on Monday, July 8 before the Rabbit show.  Scoring is based on the following:
   1. Educational Content:  50%
   2. Neatness/Appearance: 30%
   3. Originality: 20%
   4. Posters deemed inappropriate to display will be judged but held by the committee until dismissal.
9. Poster score sheets will be used for judging only and not returned to the exhibitor
10. Posters will be displayed in the Rabbit barn during the Adams County Junior Fair.
11. Posters can be picked up Friday night after the Small Animal Sale.  Posters not picked up at that time will not be returned to the exhibitor.

Market rabbit tattooing will take place on Thursday, June 13, 7 – 9 p.m. in Shade Tree Park at the Adams County Fairgrounds. All market rabbits must be tattooed in order to show and sale at the fair.

Exhibitors may tattoo two to four rabbits and exhibit up to two pens of two. Please visit our website for more information about fair requirements and deadlines.

The Revolution of Rabbits program is a terrific opportunity for youth with limited resources to raise and exhibit market rabbits at the Adams County Fair. The goal of the program is to teach youth responsibility as they learn to care for animals, keep records, and successfully complete a project while also making friends, having fun, and giving back to their community. 

Through this program, qualifying youth join a 4-H club, learn about rabbits, and rabbit care, and receive three young rabbits. The program loans members all the supplies necessary for the project, including a rabbit hutch, feed, feeders, waterers, and 4-H record and resource books. The program also provides rabbits and training/mentorship about how to best care for the animals, finish the record book, and successfully complete the project. After completing the requirements and selling their pen of market rabbits at the fair sale, each participant returns $60 of sale proceeds to the 4-H Small Animal Committee to cover program costs, which assures program sustainability. Participants receive the balance of the sale proceeds. 

Any youth who is at least 8 years old and in the third grade and who either has not previously been in 4-H or has not previously participated in a 4-H market animal project, is eligible to apply for this program. The youth should enroll in an Adams County 4-H Club, sign up for the Market Rabbit project, and complete and return the application and commitment form by the February 15 enrollment deadline.  

For more information about Revolution of Rabbits program visit https://go.osu.edu/Revolution. Applications are due February 15 and award winners will be notified before the end of February. If you have questions about the program, need a paper application, or for help enrolling, visit the Extension Office or call us at 937-544-2339. 

Interested in taking a poultry or rabbit project but not sure where to begin? Already taking those projects but interested in getting to the next level? Just need some extra support, have questions, or looking to learn more? Join the Adams County 4-H Small Animal Committee on Tuesday, October 25, 6 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds administration building to get a jump start on your small animal project for next year.

Learn about project requirements, physical needs such as cages, hutches, feeders, waterers, etc., and opportunities available in the Small Animal program. The clinic will also include Quality Assurance and meet the requirement for the 2023 Adams County Fair.