Hobbies And Interests

How to Judge Meat Rabbits

All meat rabbit breeds are judged according to ideal specifications for such characteristics as weight, size, coloration and body dimensions. These characteristics are outlined in "The Standard of Perfection," a quadrennial publication of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. The ARBA sponsors official breed shows at which rabbits are evaluated by registered judges. However, amateur rabbit farmers may stage home rabbit judging competitions using ARBA breed standards.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbits, ARBA recognized breeds
  • "The Standard of Perfection," ARBA publication
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Instructions

  1. Evaluating Rabbits

    • 1

      Study breed specifications for your breed of rabbit in the ARBA's "The Standard of Perfection." These specifications will include standards for the rabbit's weight, age, dimensions, coloration, hair and nail quality, and more. Be sure that you have the most recent edition of "The Standard of Perfection," as breeds and breed standards may change over time.

    • 2

      Apply the breed standards as outlined in "The Standard of Perfection" to your rabbits. Give points ranging from 1 to 10, with 1 being worst and 10 being best, for the degree to which each aspect of the rabbit's physical appearance meets the specifications outlined for its breed. The rabbit with the highest score -- the sum of points awarded for each aspect of the breed -- is the winner in its category.

    • 3

      If you are judging rabbits in more than one breed, assemble the winning rabbits from each breed category. Perform a second evaluation of each rabbit to carefully determine which of the winning rabbits most closely adheres to the standard of perfection for its breed. This rabbit is the overall contest winner.


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