More ?

5 weeks have passed, and I am through midterms :) I should mention that 2 of them went well (A's) and math... not so well but I'll hopefully do better next time.

Since I wrote, I missed a Steer a Year meeting and an Ag. Ex meeting. I spent that time meeting up with some of my 4-H members and studying with friends instead.

Tuesday, I made my Steer a Year meeting (even though technically there was no meeting?) we still held one anyways and discussed feed prices and such. Since the meeting didn't last long I jogged up the hill to make my Collegiate 4-H meeting to carve pumpkins for the CFH Harvest Party.

This Friday and Saturday I am help cutting up, cooking and serving 400lbs of beef for the OSU x ASU football game. It's a way to get my foot in the door into the club since I've already missed two meetings! I didn't get a ticket for the game anyways, so I have nothing else better to do on a Saturday!

Monday I can start registering for Colleigate 4-H Nationals [in Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota] in Feburary. So I'm pretty stoked about that!

Tuesday is Election Day. I sent in my ballot today! I won't talk politics, but I would ask if you can vote, inform yourself about the canidates and do so! Also that night I have a Steer A Year meeting. We are getting the steers on Nov. 22-23rd (anywheres from 20-36) so we will mostly be planning for the event of bringing them home.

On Wednesday we have our first 4-H Meeting! We are thinking about "Thundering Thumpers" as a name? not sure, it's really up to them! But I will make phonecalls monday or tuesday to remind and hopefully we'll get about 10 kids for our first meeting; that's what I'm shooting for!

Thursday - Sunday is the Oregon Cattlemen's Assoication Quarterly in Redmond, Oregon -- which I guess I am attending now. I'll get to the last day of the Western Horsemanship OSU Horse show on Sunday if it's still going on......

The following week I have a math midterm and more meetings...... It will never end....

I dont have much rabbit business to report, except that I am attending the Nov. 22nd show in Albany. I'll be helping setting up, clerking/ramroding, tearing down and of course soaking in every bit of information in that quest to get my judges license, while all at the same time chatting with breeder friends and relieving my bunny thirst. :)

On their way!

On monday, the 13th I had a 4-H Small Animal Meeting... it was nice to meet the other leaders of rabbit clubs in our county and I learned a lot!!! I have been given the wonderful opprotunity to start my own club, we have a few members already and lots of growing interest!

On tuesday, the 14th I attended my Collegiate 4-H meeting. It was short, but to the point. I love being in the club already! I was going to attend the Steer a Year meeting that night too but I'm afraid I missed it :( I'll get to one in a couple of weeks :)

Friday, I went HOME! It was unexpected and planned rather quickly, but after my rabbit transport failed last weekend (I won't even begin to go into that...) I had to drive the 3 rabbits to Portland this weekend. Luckly, a friend was going home this weekend, and it worked out we rode together and we met up with John today, no problems! The rabbits are on their way tomorrow!!! It was a long weekend, but well deserved!

I looked at all my juniors and did some seperating. Hab's does have their own cage, weaned Summer's babies, Pride's babies have their own cage and I split Secret Score juniors into 2 per cage. Pride, Hab and Summer's babies had chewing wars.... ugh! But SS's litter still amazes me! All does and it's so hard to tell them apart type wise!, although my top end doe still being the steel looks WOW right now! I'd get her to a show if I could. I bred Maid Dignified to Stitch... she was VERY ready to be bred and he got her three times! At 5 months, I hope they don't go over for ML Nationals.... but this will be one heck of a litter! I also tried breeding Summer and Ex. Getaway but they were not cooperative.... Since I left them overnight, there is no way for me to tell if they took.... so 30 days here we come!

A month till Fall Warren! I'm going just to help out and chat with bunny friends :) And if I don't go... oh well.... but it's only 10 miles away......

So starting up a 4-H club has been taking up most of my time other than school work... midterms this week.... ugh! In two weeks we can start registering for National Collegiate 4-H conference.... exciting! And a couple weeks after that is Winter term registration AND flying out to Atlanta! I am still very honored to be selected for a trip to National 4-H Congress... being one of the elite youth from Oregon ... and the ONLY youth from southern Oregon :D

ok, I'm rambling now... until later :D

1 week down

10 to go....


My calendar builds with stuff to do, exam dates and travel planning -- but I'm not letting it overwhelm me :)


On Monday I have my 4-H Leader Training... this one will determine if I get to become a rabbit leader for Benton County! I don't know how long it will take for it to all go through, but I will update when it does. Tuesday we go out to OSU's Beef Barn... I get to stick my hand inside a cow... that's something I haven't done before ;)


I missed my first Colleigate 4-H meeting but we have another one on the 14th. On the 13th I have my first 4-H Small Animal meeting as a leader.


Next weekend my 3 convention rabbits will make their way north to a breeder who will then take them to John Nyberg who will transport them to convention. The frosted pearl doe looked decent, Habanero came off her litter well and the blue chin buck looked just like his daddy... I hope they do well in Iowa.


When that happens, Summer will go into the cage Hab is in. So Summer's babies will have a cage to themself. Exclusive Getaway and Maid Dignified will be moved into the brood doe cages and sit a couple weeks waiting to get bred for Mini Lop Nationals :)

Maid Dignified (GC 9 legs, 1 RIS) will be bred to Stitch (GC 10 legs, produced 2 BIS winners)

Exclusive Getaway (Reg. 1 leg) will be bred to Keepsake (Reg. 1 leg)

Summer (GC 7 legs (6 BOB), 1 RIS, 17th 07' ARBA conv.) will be bred to Stitch (GC 10 legs, produced 2 BIS winners)

Exclusive Getaway and Keepsake will be availble pre-sold for Nationals... otherwise I won't have room for them.... I will be posting that on here and the sale page soon.

until later... :)

I made it! / RVRF Show

I survived the move. I originally was on the West side of campus but I moved over to the East side into a different hall on Sunday. I am now with one of my friends since kindergarten; I never imagined I would be living with her!

Have been crazy busy since I got here. Bowled, played pool twice. Volleyball at Dixon Rec. Went to Fred Meyer college sale (which was *insane*) and spent some nights cruzing the new town and hanging with friends, meeting new people and living the new life.

Thursday was OSU vs. USC. And we took them down, 27-21! We were really stoked and it was a great game, the Trojans just didn't have the stuff.

Celebratin the win on the field!
Brennan! Our NVHS Grants Pass hero who's a soph. now at OSU, big defense there!
Before the game...

Lower level. Looking out at all of us cheetos on the field :D

The score! And the big screen. Woot!

Our boys running onto the field for the intro.

------------------------------------------------

The RVRF show.... was today. And I just got the results :) Maid Dignified won Best of Variety for her 9th leg under Roger Hassenpflug! Where I couldn't beat Andre, it still is nice to take a win in your last show of the year... thankies to my daddy for showing my girl!

Gearing up

Since my last post, things have been rather hectic. We brought in half of the hay. Mike loaded/unloaded while I played with Gabe. It was pretty decent weather in the evening so it didn't take very long. We have yet to get the other half, we'll be doing that sometime soon. We found a place in Central Point that is selling good hay for a good deal.... all the Nor/Central Californian's are buying hay for $400+ /ton (not including delivery), so we are very happy with the deal we got. We're only buying from one grower this year, amazing.

Spent some time in Beavercreek; riding/training. It went well.... where I'm not sure if I get to bring Rex with me, I'll still get some time in. Had the horses trimmed here at home under a new farrier, he is way good! I still haven't broke the news to the parents about going to St. Helens in January.... I'll probably do that on Christmas break :) I also have to tell them about the Minnesota trip in Feburary. I wont know more details about the Nat. 4-H Colleigate Conf. until Nov. 3rd or so when they post more details.

The rabbits are doing well... Juniors are growing up. Weaned litters look way good! I can't wait to go over them when I get home. MAD had a rough time moving into her new home and she didn't make it. That, combined with Hollisters passing during the heat has left me pretty devastated but I still move on with the rabbits. Total count is 13 + 3 litters (and 3 will leave next month for convention, so it's really like 10). Someone will show Dignified at the RVRF show next weekend, although I dont know who will get the day off.

I probably wont post again until I get situated around October 1st or so..... so until then -- if you need to contact me, please e-mail me at mellenti@onid.orst.edu and I'll try to get back asap.

Life

Mike's sister's wedding was Saturday... it was excellent, before, during and after. I will share pics when they come back from the photographer.

Yesterday was spent fixing fences... Owning livestock has it's advantages but the fencework never ends. When we had the cows over in Central Point we were always fixing fences (and getting stuck in the mud!), but we've now bought a place just down the road, unfenced of course. That is in the process of going up down there, but we had to fix fences here at home. Lucikly it was pretty easy. The barn is clean and Mike and I are ready to bring in the hay. We'll probably get to that tomorrow since we didn't get to make our phone calls yesterday.

I leave in less than two weeks... I haven't even started packing or finished shopping. I havent even studied for my math course I am taking this fall. :( I feel very bad about that. We'll see if I can still pass.

The rabbits are doing well... The auto-water swtich was way-easy and I only have 2 litter cages on bottles. So it's very odd only having to do that. Way less time consuming, that's for sure. Everything is situated with the rabbits.... I still have to cement transport details for convention, but I'll get that lined up. Going to have Mike show Maid Dignified for me at the end of the month. It's been forever since I've just shown one rabbit.

Website

The website has been updated!

Did a new photo shoot and uploaded ALL NEW photos :) We're also in the midst of having our 'sold rabbits' photo's being photoshopped. So it will look pretty snazzy here soon. We're also getting pics up of the litters we have ;)

Let me know what you think... if it goes over data transfer go back in an hour or so and it will be all better :)

http://geocities.com/lhhrabbitry/Home.html

4-H Showmanship Article

4-H Showmanship

I am a previous 4-H member of Josephine County of 6 years. Of those 6 years in the rabbit project, I was Grand Champion showman 3 times, Reserve Grand Champion once, and Reserve Champion Intermediate my 2nd year out. My senior year I participated at State Fair and I won Reserve Champion Senior Showman. Having Vern Palmblad as a judge most of those years, I quickly learned what it took to be a good showman and I’d like to share some tips with you so you can be fully prepared on the showmanship table.

Each judge will have a different style and expectations. However, it never hurts to educate yourself to your best ability. Use ALL of your 4-H material books and handouts. Use the ARBA Standard of Perfection and Better Guide to Raising Rabbits and Cavies when available. {Your 4-H leader should have some available or make them available to you}. Ask other kids what types of questions were asked the year prior and last but not least, STUDY! Not the week or night before but all year long. Study with other rabbit kids, as they may have study tips or can teach you something new.

Know your breed… Not just your rabbit’s variety, show room class and sex. Know other colors, min/max weights, history, body type {also knowing the other 4}, fur type {also knowing the other 3} breed specific DQ’s and all general DQ’s. Know more than one breed of rabbit {as many as you can, and some pointers about those breeds as well}. Know a handful of diseases {including prevention, cause and cure}. Know what you feed your rabbit and how much. {protein, fiber and fat %’s}. Be able to describe how you house and clean your rabbit’s cage. Know body parts and the temperature of rabbits. Know about gestation and kindling. Know fryer, roaster and stewer weights & ages. Pretty much memorize the Standard of Perfection key terms. Know how they relate to each other, breeds and diseases. Know the oddities and trick questions {IE: peg/pegged teeth, pointing to your rabbit’s crown {you should only do this if you have a lopped breed, and know which lop breed doesn’t}. Know about 4-H and what it’s all about. Also know the other areas of your project {companion rabbit, producing does or market project}.

When coming onto the show table, always pose your rabbit frontwards. Sometimes, the judge will have you all turn to the left, towards you and to the right making a complete circle or he will tell each individual a position which may be different than your neighbor. KEEP that position after examining your rabbit until/unless he tells you to do otherwise.

ALWAYS handle your rabbit, and others with 100% safe handling skills. NEVER drag your rabbit’s toenails on the carpet; ALWAYS pick your rabbit completely off the table {judges like to see air}. Use 1/4 turns and do not rush. If asked to “pick up your rabbit, turn around and walk back”, do not set your rabbit down unless instructed to. It gets kids every time. Pick your rabbit up, tuck it’s head and legs under your arm and support the rump with the other hand. When asked to “check” the teeth/nails/sex, show yourself. If asked to “show” the teeth/nails/sex, the judge wants to see it. Look at the judge after you complete each step. When “showing” you have to do it the “opposite” or whichever way you feel most comfortable. For teeth I flip the rabbit, tuck its body under my right arm and show the judge the teeth. For nails I flip and semi-rotate using my left hand to show the front and hind nails and sex at the same time. You should have plenty of practice with your rabbit when not checking yourself, use a parent or another kid to be the judge. When asked to “check” or “show” the teeth/nails/sex, do it in that order and that order only. Keep one eye on the judge and one on your rabbit. When the judge moves to the next person, slowly move your feet so you are still facing him. If your rabbit moves, calmly place it back on your rug, repose and put your hands behind your back. If your rabbit is way out of control, you should keep one hand on your rabbit’s head, or whatever keeps it still. Even if your rabbit is rowdy, knowing how to calmly keep your rabbit in place and answering questions to your best ability, you can still come out a winner. Last but not least, try to SMILE :)

THE BASIC VET CHECK
· Beginning and Carry {controlled tuck and carry to/from table}
· Check Ears {mites, cankers, rips/tears, tattoo -- remember your rabbit has two ears, check them both}
· Check Eyes {left and right eye for proper color or disease. Know proper color for variety/breed and know diseases that affect the eye}
· Check Nose {look at/in nose – know what symptoms of disease would be there. Look at insides of legs}
· Check Teeth – Look at front and bottom teeth. Know what problems affect teeth and know proper bite}
· Check Front Feet/Toenails {count correct number on left and right. Proper nail color, pad color and know DQ’s}
· Check Front Legs/Bone {lift and feel each bone in right and left. Know what DQ’s to look for}
· Check Back Feet/Toenails {count correct number on right and left. Know proper color and check hocks, Know what DQ’s to look for}
· Check Back Legs/Bone {lift and feel each bone in right and left. Know what DQ’s to look for}
· Know Sex {Doe – expose vent, Buck – expose penis, check for both testicles. Know possible diseases (make sure the area is clean)}
· Tail {check bone for breaks, straightness and carriage. Know DQ’s}
· Pose {correct pose for breed, proper setting of front and hind feet, ears and tail}
· Checking Body {upper & under body, feel for abscess or rupture, sides and neck area. Know possible DQ’s (also know how to palpate)}
· Check Fur {after you are all done, stoke fur backwards and blow, checking for mites/mange. Set fur properly when done. Know DQ’s, how to treat and what fur type you have}

If you are given the wonderful chance to switch rabbits with your neighbors, know that breed and how it’s posed. If it is posed correctly, leave it alone. If your neighbor forgot something, FIX IT! {IE: One year I won by finding the Himalayan’s tail which was tucked underneath the body}. When switching, always put one hand on your neighbor’s rabbit while switching positions with them. If the other showman is on the other end of the table, look to the judge and he should hold your rabbit while you walk over to the other.

Depending on your age level and the judge, he may put a carrier on the table and have you place and remove the rabbit in the carrier. Always control the back feet to make sure you don’t hook nails and latch the carrier when the rabbit is in. After removing the rabbit and it’s safely tucked, close and latch the carrier back up.

DO NOT watch your neighbor. Do not repeat what they said. Usually the reason a judge asks kids who are next to each other is because one person said it wrong and he wants the right answer. If you truly do not know, it’s okay to say “I do not know”. If you have an educated guess, go ahead and say it – you might be right.

ALWAYS speak loud and clear. {Especially with Vern… he’s old}. If the words don’t come out right, try to rephrase yourself before the judge goes onto another showman. Most are patient and willing to listen. Do not “over” talk, but don’t talk too little. The more good information you can get out in reasonable time, to show the judge what you know is preferred.

ALWAYS groom YOU and YOUR RABBIT. Free yourself of necklaces, hoop earrings, piercings, rings and bracelets. Always wear long sleeves and pull your hair back. {A good set up is a long sleeved button up white shirt, with black pants and close toed shoes, preferably boots}. Your rabbit should be free of molt, but every attempt to groom the rabbit for those summer months is kept in mind. Your rabbit should bear no stains; ears, eyes and vents should be clean. Your rabbit’s nails should be clipped as short as possible, filed smooth if still sharp. If you have a white rabbit, it should be purely white. Provide your own carpet that your rabbit is used to.

After showmanship, whether you’ve won or not, always smile and shake the judge’s hand. He should offer a time to ask questions, and tell you what he was expecting or looking for and what some of you did wrong. Take this advice wisely.

If you have any further questions, you’re more than welcome to contact me. mellenti@onid.orst.edu

***This is an article I wrote for my old Josephine County 4-H'ers and my new Benton County club. I have shared it on here (my blog), the OLRCB and District One Websites. If you would like to cross post it, please e-mail me for my permission! I do not mind you using it for your own education, I just want to know about it.

Secret Score & Hollister's Litter

These following junior does are from LHHR's Secret Score (Reg. 1 leg) x LHHR's Lil' Hollister (GC 6 legs, 1 Best in Show). Carry dilute! I have my eye concrete on the last steel doe, and I am considering keeping a 2nd doe, but 4 or 5 will be available after December 15th. Please contact us now if you have interest in one, and we can put your name down until I make my decisions in December. I will then post who is for sure for sale. I can hold and deliver to St. Helens, OR the end of January.

Chestnut Doe

Steel Doe #2

Bkn Seal? Steel Doe

Bkn Chestnut Doe

Chinchilla Doe

Steel Doe #1 (keeping) -- Picture does her no justice, she's really even nicer than this picture shows :D My keeper for Hollister... she's so sweet just like him too!

Crescent City

Saturday:


Left at 5:30 AM, got gas and headed out 199 towards the coast. Driving at a good speed, got there at 8:20 (show supposed to start at 8:30). Not to worry though as I wasn't the only one who was a bit behind on things. Was able to unload the rabbits, pay and breathe before the show started up.


I paid my dues, chatted a bit and waited for the Mini Lops to come up. Show A was under Randy.... he DQ'ed Maid Dignified for being overweight (2-3 ounces) and my others... didnt do jack. Show B was under Tom Keyes.... He picked Maid Dignified first but picked some junior doe over her for variety.... whatever. Show C she stepped up to the plate under Cathy S and won Best of Breed. She was taken out a few times for BIS, though there were some really nice animals up there! A was won by RIS - Don/Judy Atchison, BIS - Mindy/Melanee Smitts. B - RIS - Don/Judy Atchison? and BIS was a Mini Satin by Larry/Sharon Web. Show C was RIS a French Lop by Jenn Martin and again the Mini Satin.


I finally visited the cheese factory! Mhm.... it's sooooo much less there than in the stores (like a little over $2 / lb) And the weather was sooo chilly. 105 in GP yesterday and going over to the coast, I'm not sure it even broke 60.


Sunday:

Arrived to the showroom shortly after 8. Satins started up right away under Roger and some of the breeders weren't there so since I didn't have anything to do I carried. Watched the Satins for a while and waited for him to get through Rex so we could show Mini's. Roger DQ'ed MD for being a brick... lol.. It worked out the same in B too under Melissa, even though they all loved her. Maybe next time. I got rid of my 4 Mini's and the 3 French... so down to just 5 bunnies on the way home. Registered for a bit, chatted with breeders and... well that was about it. CC is all about the camping, showing rabbits is just the part on the side.

***Waiting for results on the ARBA elections....


I could say a bit more, but I'm too tired to post more :D Resting here for a bit before I get back to dinner/games/fun. I will probably head home tomorrow.