A half-dozen local students had things hopping Monday at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds as they participated in the event’s very first rabbit show.
A large part of the agricultural fair that covers seven counties is the livestock shows. For years now, youth involved with 4-H or FFA have shown cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. Last year, beekeeping teams were added, and this year, rabbits joined the menagerie, said Statesboro Kiwanis Club member Debra Pease, who heads up all livestock events.
“We added the rabbit show mainly for kids who live in the city or suburbs and who can’t have a pig or goat or cow,” she said. “Rabbits are quiet and don’t make a mess.”
The ease of keeping rabbits in a small area enables kids who aren’t from rural areas to participate in livestock showing, which Pease said teaches “responsibility, punctuality and life lessons.”
Kids learn responsibility through caring for the animals, she said. Records must be kept of feeding, deworming and other care. With larger livestock, training the animals to be shown is also involved.
Punctuality is important because “if they don’t make it into the ring in time, they do not get to show,” she said.
And life lessons? Well, sometimes kids who have Kiwanis show animals learn about death, she said.
“It happens, especially with sheep.”
Students apply for project animals, and the Kiwanis Club provides successful applicants with young calves, lambs, goats, pigs and now rabbits, she said. Applications, available for all 4-H and FFA youth in Bulloch, Candler, Screven, Tattnall, Evans, Jenkins and Bryan counties, may be obtained at the fair’s livestock barn all this week.
Pease said this year’s show, as the first, was small. Six children entered, showing Mini Rex, Holland Lop or crossbred rabbits.
“We hope to add more breeds next year,” she said.
The rabbit show was judged early Monday after being rescheduled for noon, as the judge, Ricky Wheeler from Aline, Ga., was at the fairgrounds at that time to judge poultry.
“The kids were like sponges,” Pease said. They asked questions” and were enthusiastic to hear Wheeler explain the judging standards for each breed.
Judges look at teeth, toenails, feet, ears and tails, among other characteristics, she said.
At least four of the six students who showed rabbits this year plan to show again, she said.
“I’m kind of excited,” she said. “I hope it will grow.”
Livestock shows this week include the market goat show at 6 p.m. today, the market lamb show Thursday at 6 p.m., and the steer and heifer show Saturday at 2 p.m.
The rabbit show took place Monday, while Tuesday was the market hog and breeding gilt show. Shows are free and open to the public for viewing.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.