Girls tested on bunny knowledge

Friends show rabbit siblings

OTHELLO - Two Warden youth were testing their knowledge to prepare to show their pet rabbits during the Adams County Fair Wednesday afternoon.

"I like them and he gets to be with his brother and make new friends and I do too," 9-year-old Nicole Ruge said.

Ruge and her Netherland Dwarf Fred were in the rabbit barn with 9-year-old Courtney Cox and her rabbit Buddy testing their rabbit knowledge.

Fred and Buddy are brothers, Ruge said.

"He's cute and cuddly," she said about Fred.

Ruge is a two-year veteran of the 4-H program.

One of the hardest questions during the judging portion is identifying rabbit breeds, she said. The easiest part is checking the eyes, she added.

It's Cox's first year in 4-H.

She said she decided to show Buddy at the fair because Ruge didn't want to be the only person showing rabbits at the fair from Warden.

Cox said during the judging portion of the show participants are asked questions related to caring for rabbits, identifying breeds and they demonstrate checking ears, eyes, nose, tails and toenails. They check for broken bones. She said the toenails should be the same color as the fur and the teeth should be straight to get the best ribbons.

Checking the nose is the hardest part, she said.

"They freak out when they check their nose," Cox said. "When (Buddy) freaks out, he calms down quick."

She enjoys showing rabbits because they are best animal to show, she said.

"Rabbits are way funner than I thought" Cox said. "He does scratch me but it doesn't hurt."

She said Buddy is unique because he loves carrots and her other rabbits hate carrots.

There were nearly 90 rabbits in the rabbit barn at the Adams County Fairgrounds including Netherland Dwarfs, Rex rabbits and mini lop rabbits.