Small Animal Barn Changes

GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT – Scott Reppert

Assistant Superintendent – Nikki Sobell

General Rules:

1. General rules listed under Small Animal Barn will apply to all exhibitors.
2. May have up to three market classes total for Goats sections 70-71, and Poultry sections 107-110,  and Rabbits section 123, and only one per section. Refer to species/department rules for defining of market classes.
3. Animals must be dry at check-in.  No wet animals will be allowed.
4. All A and B ratings in market classes must be sold in the Small Animal Sale.  C ratings may not be sold.
5. All poultry must be in member’s possession by July15^th except for meat chickens.  Meat chickens cannot be older than 56 days and must be in members’ possession by August 20^th.  Breeding rabbits must be in member’s possession by May 1^st.  Roaster rabbits (Market) must be in member’s possession by June 15^th.  Fryer rabbits (Market) must be in member’s possession by August 25^th.  Goats must be in the member’s possession by July 1^st. 
6. All feed and bedding must be provided by the exhibitor.
7. Animals must be fed and watered twice a day.  Morning chores must be done by 10:00 a.m.  Evening chores must be done by 8:00 p.m.  Cages/pens need to have shavings removed and have fresh shavings put in twice a day.
8. Pens or cages will be checked by project superintendents on a daily basis for cleanliness.  If a pen or cage is not clean, it will be tagged by the project superintendent.  If a pen or cage is tagged, the exhibitor MUST check in with the project superintendent at times stated on the pen tag.  First and second offense will result in a written warning tag, as well as a meeting with the member, project superintendent, and parent or responsible adult.  A third offense in the same specie will result in a ONE YEAR suspension from exhibition of that specie at the Hillsdale County Fair. 
9. No resale of animals or give-backs at the auction.  The buyer, or designated representative, presenting the ORIGINAL sale receipt must either ship the animal or pick it up on Sunday morning between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.  Changes to an auction animal's destination must be made prior to noon on Friday after the auction.  No exceptions.
10. All small animals (poultry, rabbits, and goats) must remain on the fairgrounds until 8:00 a.m. Sunday.  Animals must be checked out with species superintendant on Sunday by 10:00 a.m.  Early removal of animals will cause exhibitor to forfeit entry of species in the following fair. 
11. Excessively poor-conditioned animals may be sent home at the discretion of both the Species Superintendent and the Barn Superintendent.
12. Exhibitors MUST be present for their show in order to sell their project.  Approval prior to the show from the superintendent must be obtained for another exhibitor to show the animal.  Exhibitors not present for the SALE will be given support price only unless permission from the superintendent has been granted by 5 p.m. Monday to allow another exhibitor to take the animal through the sale.
13. 4-H Clover Buds can show any species of small animal in showmanship classes only.
14. 4-H Small Animal exhibits are allowed and encouraged to be entered in open class as well.  Exhibits must be housed in the 4-H Small Animals’ Barn except with superintendent permission. 
15. Button up, collared shirt without logo, tucked into pants, or lab coat.  Pants should be free of holes or tears.  No open toe shoes.  If dress code is not followed for showmanship, a red warning tag will be issued.  If dress code is not followed for auction, youth will not be allowed to go through the auction.  Auction attire may include clean club t-shirt or club sweatshirt. 
16. Tack box with the following dimensions of 15” high; 15” deep: and up to 60” long (15”x15”x60”).  Tack box must be decorated with club name.  All supplies must be placed in tack boxes.  No exceptions.  Blue prints are available at the MSU Extension Office. 
17. The Small Animal Auction is non-terminal for rabbits and goats.  Poultry will be terminal in 2015.
18. If the small animal building becomes full, some goats will be housed in the large animal barn during fair week.
19. Refer to MDA health requirement rules at the beginning of the book.