Animal Science
4-H Rabbit Project
The Colorado 4-H Rabbits Project teaches youth how to care for, feed, and evaluate rabbits while developing responsibility, goal setting, and record-keeping skills.
Beginners learn about rabbit breeds, anatomy, basic care, and giving demonstrations. Intermediate members study nutrition, disease prevention, breed selection, and exhibit rabbits while building sportsmanship and public speaking skills. Advanced participants address current issues in rabbit raising, developing leadership, exploring career opportunities, and building lasting friendships.
Project Overview
Project Options:
- Breeding Rabbit
- Market Rabbit
- Companion Rabbit
Starting Out – Beginner
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn about rabbits
- Identify the parts of a rabbit
- Identify breeds of rabbits
- Purchase, feed and care for rabbits
- Learn how to evaluate different rabbit breeds
- Do a demonstration about rabbits
- Learn how to keep records
- Learn how to assume responsibility
Learning More – Intermediate
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn about nutritional requirements for rabbits
- Investigate different rabbit breeds
- Learn how to select the type or rabbit project
- Learn about goal setting
- Identify common rabbit diseases
- Exhibit your rabbit at the county fair
- Develop sportsmanship and public speaking skills
Exploring Depth – Advanced
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn how to deal with current issues related to raising rabbits
- Gain leadership skills by helping other learn about rabbits
- Explore career opportunities in the rabbit industry
- Build lifelong friendships
Official Project Materials
Materials & Curriculum
Member Resources
Find Your County
Counties play a crucial role in 4-H by providing a platform for young people to learn and grow.
Counties facilitate the delivery of 4-H programs that are of particular interest in their area and qualified, compassionate adult leaders run local clubs to support our youth 4-H members.
To find out if this project is supported locally, contact your local extension office.
Upcoming Events
Currently there are no events scheduled at this time associated to this page. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Project Tips
- Rabbits should have an all-wire cage and should be at least 2’ wide by 18” high by 2’ long. Rabbits need a sitting board 6-8” square or larger to prevent sore hocks and feet.
- Outside cages need a shady roof and protection from rain, wind, drafts, dampness, and direct sun during the hot summer months.
- To cool a rabbit, put a gallon jug of frozen water in the cage or put long wet towels on the sides of the cage.
- Rabbits need plenty of fresh, clean ice-free water each day.
- Clean the water bottle every few days with a mild solution or warm soapy water.
- A doe and her litter will drink about a gallon of water a day.
- Clean the cage regularly by removing all droppings from the cage every day.
- At least once a month, clean, and disinfect the cage and tray.
- Keep the area around the pen clean and neat.
- Keep other pets and rodents away.
- Do not handle pregnant females too much and keep males away.
- Always check for parasites such as lice and fleas.
Careers
Groomer
Provide grooming and salon services for owners of rabbits
Retail
Provide sales of products at different retail levels for rabbit owners
Veterinarian
Provide veterinary health services to rabbits
Rabbit Shows
Be a professional fitter or shower at rabbit shows; learn to be a judge or volunteer at rabbit shows
Processing Plant
Own or work at facilities that provide meat processing services for rabbit meat
Journalist
Provide informational articles and resources for those involved in the rabbit industry
Breeder or Association
Staff
Provide breeding services and/or information on rabbits for rabbit owners
Behavioral Health
Work with behavioral health providers to utilize rabbits in nursing homes, veterans, etc.