| Many fairs and rabbit shows have a class called a | | | | Sables, Chinchillas, Cinnamons, Crème D'Argents, Rex, |
| Meat Pen. If you are buying rabbits for a 4H project, | | | | Satins, Silver Fox, and Silver Martens. All of these |
| this may be one of the options you want to try. To | | | | breeds have been raised to provide nutritious meals to |
| compete in a meat pen class, you must have three | | | | families all over. |
| young rabbits that are ten weeks old or younger from | | | | If you are breeding your own meat pen, count back |
| the same litter. They each need to weigh between | | | | ten weeks from the date of your show. This is when |
| three and five pounds. The winning pen will contain | | | | the rabbits must be born. Your doe must be bred four |
| three rabbits that are almost identical in appearance, | | | | weeks before that, since gestation is between 28 and |
| weight and condition. | | | | 31 days. If you don't have breeding stock, it is best to |
| It is best to prepare by knowing the rules for showing | | | | start looking for some at least four or five months |
| meat pens before you begin. Join the American Rabbit | | | | before the show. Does should be a minimum of six |
| Breeders Association and purchase the Standard of | | | | months old before they are bred. If you are waiting on |
| Perfection. This will let you learn about all the breeds | | | | a single doe, you may end up without a litter. Your best |
| recognized by the association and learn the rules for | | | | bet to get the best meat pen possible is to breed |
| showing meat pens as well as showing individual | | | | several does at that time. If you have the time, let |
| rabbits, competing in fur and other classes. When you | | | | them have a litter before you need to breed for your |
| join ARBA, you will receive a book that teaches you | | | | show. This lets them learn how to parent their babies |
| about caring for rabbits properly. The book covers | | | | and you'll have fewer mishaps. |
| show rabbits, meat rabbits and pets. | | | | When buying stock, you'll need to weigh your options |
| You can raise your meat pen from litters born to your | | | | between buying from a commercial rabbit breeder and |
| own rabbits, or you can purchase a meat pen from a | | | | someone who raises show stock. Ideally, you want |
| rabbit breeder. Most meat pens are purchased when | | | | rabbits that will grow fast like those developed by |
| the rabbits are between four and five weeks old. This | | | | commercial breeders, yet at the same time, they need |
| allows you to raise them yourself to the proper weight | | | | to fit the standard for their breed like show rabbits do. |
| and age for competition. | | | | Go to a rabbit show if you can and meet the breeders |
| Meat pen competitions are dominated by New | | | | of the types of rabbits you are considering. Even if |
| Zealand Whites and Californians. These two breeds | | | | they don't have stock for you to purchase, they may |
| are most frequently raised for meat, so they have | | | | have contacts with others or be able to give you good |
| been bred to develop quickly. Other breeds that you | | | | advice on what to look for and how to achieve your |
| may see in meat pens include New Zealand Reds or | | | | goals. |
| Blacks, Champagne D'Argents, Palominos, American | | | | |