• 34°
franklin county times

4-H takes applications for rabbit project

It is not uncommon for 4-H students to take care of animals, but few 4-H projects allow students to raise animal they get to keep. 

“That is what makes our rabbit project so popular,” explained Franklin County 4-H Regional Extension Agent Vanessa Roberts. “A lot of students do not like the idea of raising something like a chick to turn around and sell it, but with the rabbits, they are able to keep them.”

Alabama 4-H is now registering students ages 9-18 for the annual 4-H rabbit project.

Each student will receive a 6-week-old rabbit to raise from May to September before bringing the rabbit to the 4-H Rabbit Show for exhibition.

Registration is $25 and will include the rabbit, a record book and a project manual. Rabbits will be picked up from the North Alabama Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals May 7.

Students will be responsible for housing, feeding, watering and cleaning up after their rabbits.

“Rabbits grow fast and cost less to raise than most other types of livestock,” Roberts said. “Raising rabbits requires little room, low overhead expense and minimal daily maintenance. Rabbits are simple to work with and fun to watch grow.”

Students who sign up are required to attend a virtual project training to learn how to care for the rabbit, have a home check-in to check up on the rabbit, attend a showmanship clinic to learn how to show the rabbit and attend the 4-H Rabbit Show.

Roberts said raising rabbits requires good equipment, proper sanitation and strategic planning, which students should take into account before deciding to sign up. 

“They will need to determine whether they have time to properly care for the rabbits,” Roberts said. “They also have to consider whether they have a safe environment for the rabbits if they have other family pets, such as cats and dogs.”

Roberts said in this process, students will learn about rabbit anatomy, different breeds of rabbits, nutrition and disease control. They will also experience what it is like to keep a record book and manage the finances associated with caring for a pet, as well as gain confidence in the process.

The final day to sign up is April 30. For more information, contact Roberts at 256-309-9576.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

Franklin County

RCS holds annual Black History Month program 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: American Legion Posts 64 and 120 – ‘Veterans Strengthening America’

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss Northwest Shoals

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss UNA

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: In memoriam – Monuments honor the fallen of Franklin

High School Sports

RHS senior chosen as Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner

High School Sports

Russellville High School ladies soccer team members participate in annual Night to Shine

x