Wayne County 4-H Rabbit Department
Things To Consider Before Taking A Rabbit Project
Think about how much space is required to house the rabbit projects you're considering. Do you have enough physical space and the proper shelter? Are you aware of feed costs, and have you budgeted for them? Are you prepared to invest the money and time involved in caring for, grooming, learning about, and working with your rabbits to be ready for project judging and the fair? Are the youth and parent(s), guardian(s), or other adult helper(s) prepared to make the time and financial commitment? Rabbit projects can be very rewarding for those who are prepared to house and work with their rabbits.
2026 Rabbit Calendar of Events
Rabbit Project Books
- The books listed below can be ordered through your 4-H club advisor, purchased directly from the Wayne County Extension Office, or ordered online at extensionpubs.osu.edu
- Rabbit Resource Handbook (228R) - Order this book only once and use for several years. It contains essential subject matter information for members taking a market rabbit, breeding rabbit, or pet rabbit project. This is an excellent source for skillathons. Use with 228 Rabbit Project and Record Book (228).
- Rabbit Project and Record Book (228) - Complete this requirement for youth taking ANY rabbit project (market, breeding, and/or pet).
Rabbit Project Guidelines and Forms
- 2026 Wayne County 4-H Rabbit Project Guidelines - published annually, this document provides an overview of the most important things youth and parents should know about taking a dairy project, including important dates, deadlines, animal ID, and Junior Fair information. This document is usually updated each November or December with information for the new year.
- 2026 Rabbit Bred, Born, and Raised Form - *NEW DEADLINE DUE June 1st.
- Breeding Rabbit Project Judging Form
- Market Rabbit Project Judging Form
- Pet Rabbit Project Judging Form
- Questions about rabbit projects can be directed to your club advisor, Diane Johnson at the Extension Office, or by contacting the Poultry/Rabbit Committee Chair, Hannah Becker.
Rabbit Animal ID Requirements
2026 Rabbit Animal ID Help Sheet - overview of how to enter Rabbit Animal ID in 4-HOnline and lists which fields and forms are required and which are optional.
Rabbit Clinic / Educational Resources
The Poultry / Rabbit Committee will be holding a Rabbit Clinic on June 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Goat/Sheep Arena at the fairgrounds.
Rabbit Outstanding Exhibitor Awards Program
Rabbit Outstanding Record Books
- The Outstanding Record Book Awards are designed to recognize youth who take time to thoroughly complete their record books, adding in details and financial, feed, and health records from throughout the entire project, including final market auction price and calculating their profit or loss for those taking market projects. Youth wishing to have their record books judged should turn them in to the Extension Office by October 2, 2026. Awards are presented at the Fall 4-H Recognition Banquet.
- Breeding Rabbit Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric
- Market Rabbit Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric
- Pet Rabbit Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric
Rabbit Junior Fair Information
Poultry / Rabbit Committee
- The Wayne County 4-H / FFA / Jr. Fair Poultry/Rabbit Action committee are volunteers who are responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out the poultry/rabbit program in consultation with and under the authority of OSU Extension and the Wayne County Agricultural Society (Senior Fair Board)
- Our 2026 Poultry/Rabbit Committee is made up of the following individuals: Hannah Becker (Chair), Sarah Zimmerly (V. Chair), Mark Dull, Todd Brennstuhl, Olivia Lang, Daniel Linden, Abby Rossiter, Nikki Hoff, Stephanie Roberts, Margaret Nardecchia, Tanner Herbert, Kayleigh Molnar, Diane Johnson (OSU Extension), Mike Gerhart and Russ Johnson (Senior Fair Liaison) and Junior Fair Board members Bella Nardecchia, Nickalus Roberts, Cassidy Stoller, Payton Hoff, Katie Stoller, and Jenna Zimmerly.
State 4-H Rabbit Webpage
- For more information about the Ohio 4-H Rabbit Program, be sure to visit https://ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/animal-sciences/rabbit
Wayne County 4-H Rabbit Facebook Group
Be sure to join our Wayne County 4-H Rabbit Facebook Group, where we share reminders, announcements, and other educational content related to the 4-H Rabbit program. Check us out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/waynecounty4hrabbit