Raising animals helps 4-H kids spend time wisely

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, July 17, 2008

Every morning and every evening, 11-year-old Alex Wiezorek of the Pelican 4-H Club feeds his rabbits, along with brother Nicholas, 7, supplies fresh water and cleans the rabbit pens on a regular basis.

“Taking care of these rabbits keeps me and Nicholas busy, that’s for sure” said Alex Wednesday afternoon at the West Otter Tail County Fairgrounds in Fergus Falls. “But it’s also a lot of fun.”

Alex, the son of Melissa and Chris Wiezorek of rural Pelican Rapids, is showcasing eight California rabbit breeds at this year’s fair. He’s in his third year as a member of the Pelican 4-H club.

“No doubt about it, 4-H is a wonderful organization for kids,” said his mother Melissa who, along with her husband Chris, also were members of 4-H as kids and raised rabbits during their formative years. “It’s great to see so many families like us pass along the 4-H tradition.”

Nicholas is exhibiting one Cloverbud rabbit at this year’s West Otter Tail County Fair.

The Wiezorek brothers attend Pelican 4-H Club meetings at 1:30 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Tri-Club northeast of Pelican Rapids, a renovated country schoolhouse.

“It’s a good-sized club,” Melissa said. “You don’t see as many kids in 4-H compared to when Chris and I were younger, but it’s good to see 4-H holding its own not only here in Otter Tail County but throughout the state.”

As for raising rabbits at their resident near Pelican Rapids, she said it’s a good activity in which the boys can work together. This coming fall Alex will be a sixth grader and Nicholas will enter first grade. Both of them attend school in Rothsay.

Melissa works in adult foster care and Chris is employed at Maplewood Hearth Adult Foster Care and Farm.

Traditionally, youth in Otter Tail County and across the state and nation show 4-H rabbit projects in breeding or commercial classes at county or state fairs. These rabbits are usually judged with American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) standards in mind.

Some youth may not be interested in raising breeding or market rabbits, but may want a rabbit as a pet. They can enroll in the 4-H Pet Rabbit Project and show their rabbits in an appropriate class or classes at a county fair or state fair.

Pet rabbit classes are not intended for youth to show a breeding or commercial rabbit that does not meet ARBA standards. Rather, this class is for 4-H members whose rabbits, like dogs and cats, are their companions.

Pet rabbit classes may be added to the traditional rabbit show or as a part of the small animal show. The classes give youths the opportunity to exhibit their pets, as well as share their knowledge and skills about rabbits.

In pet rabbit classes, youths are evaluated on their knowledge about rabbits. Other parts of judging may include project records, grooming and condition of the rabbit, the member’s ability to handle the rabbit and correct showmanship techniques.