Department: 108-Rabbits | Open
FUR & FEATHER SILENT AUCTION
Open to the public, the Fur & Feather Silent Auction opens 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9 and closes 8 p.m. that evening in the Poultry & Rabbit Exhibition Barn (#34).
Superintendent
Nikki Billingsley (406) 240-7172
Prizes & Awards
ROSETTES
Grand & Reserve Champion Rabbit
Grand & Reserve Champion Fur Classes
Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex of Breed Rabbit
Best of Group and Best Opposite Sex of Group Rabbit
Premium
Grand Champion – $25
Reserve Grand Champion – $15
1st Place – $8.00
2nd Place – $5.00
3rd Place – $3.00
Unless specifically stated otherwise under division or class listings, Rabbit Premium money will be paid at the posted rates.
Divisions
Division A: Rabbits
Division B: Fur Rabbits
Important Facts & Dates
Notice: The Western Montana Fair reserves the right to cancel the Rabbit Show to prevent the spread of diseases such as RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease).
JULY 11 – FINAL DAY FOR ENTRIES
The rabbit entry form must be received before 5 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025. Entry Fee is $4.00 per entry and required to be paid in full at time of entry. Following registration, print and save your emails for entry confirmation. Day of show entries may be accepted, providing space is available, with a $5.00 late entry fee.
The tattoo number is required at the time of entry. All rabbits must be tattooed in the left ear with the tattoo number matching what was provided at the time of entry.
August 4 – DELIVER EXHIBITS TO FAIRGROUNDS
Deliver exhibits from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, August 4 to the Llama Barn (#34). Be prepared to show your confirmation email from the show secretary at check-in. Vehicle and gate procedures are located here.
August 4 – Judging
The A.R.B.A. Open Show begins 9 a.m. Monday, August 4.
AUGUST 4 – EXHIBITS RELEASED
All open class rabbits must leave immediately after their show time, unless also entered in 4-H.
AUGUST 10 – PREMIUM PAYOUT
Premiums are available for pickup 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, August 10 at the Fair Office (Bldg. #12). Premiums are also available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday of the following week. Any unpaid premiums after 5 p.m., August 13 will be forfeited.
General Exhibiting GUIDELINES
SINGLE OPEN CLASS BREEDER SHOW – Everyone Welcome
A.R.B.A. Sanctioned - includes rabbits that meet the American Rabbit Breeders Association standards. For membership information, contact A.R.B.A., PO Box 5667 Bloomington, IL 61702.
You must complete all steps to finalize your entry. You are not considered registered until entry fees are received.
4-H and FFA members must pay entry fees to exhibit in Open A.R.B.A. Sanctioned Show. Bring your email confirmation at check-in time.
Exhibitors must own all entries by final date of entry.
Any exhibit showing signs of disease will not be allowed in the barn.
All rabbits must be tattooed in the left ear with the tattoo number matching what was provided at the time of entry.
The Open Class Show is a Carry Cage show. Animals will not be cooped on the Fairgrounds, unless previously arranged with the Superintendent.
Vehicles will not be allowed to remain on the Fairgrounds during judging. Vehicles are only allowed for the purpose of dropping off or picking up exhibits. The barn will be open to exhibitors only during judging.
Public barn hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, August 5 through Saturday, August 9 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, August 10.
Division A – Rabbits
Classes
1 Junior Buck
2 Junior Doe
3 Intermediate Buck
4 Intermediate Doe
5 Senior Buck
6 Senior Doe
Division B – Fur Rabbits
Classes
1 Normal Fur
2 Rex Fur
3 Wool
4 Satin Fur
5 Stand Up Fur
Fur & Feather Silent Auction
Opens: 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9
Closes: 8 p.m. Saturday, August 9
Pickup: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, August 10
Location: Llama Barn (#34)
Silent Auction Items
· Select Open Class Poultry & 4-H Rabbit Exhibits
Silent Auction Participant/Exhibitor Information:
Open Class and 4-H Exhibits may be entered in the Silent Auction
Exhibits must be entered by Tuesday evening at 6 pm
Silent auction officials will register participants beginning at cage in until 6 pm Tuesday
No other birds or rabbits will be accepted into the auction after Tuesday 6 pm
Fair officials will affix an auction label to the cages of participating birds and rabbits by Saturday morning at 11 am
Fair officials will have a list of winning bids available Sunday morning
It is highly encouraged that exhibitors be present on Sunday from 12 to 2 pm to assist in the transfer of the bird or rabbit.
The only animals allowed to be released prior to 6pm on Sunday are animals sold in the silent auction.
Exhibitors must pick up their silent auction proceeds from the silent auction official by 6 pm on Sunday afternoon. Any silent auction earnings not collected by the exhibitor will be placed in the poultry/rabbit barn accounts in support of poultry/rabbit barn operations.
No other transactions may take place for the duration of the silent auction.
Silent Auction Bidder Instruction:
Silent Auction Opens at 2 p.m. Saturday August 9 and closes at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Auction items will be listed with a minimum bid required. If the minimum bid is not met, animals will be withdrawn from the sale and remain in the ownership of the exhibitor.
Bidders will complete cards with their bid and their contact information.
Those with the winning bid will be notified Saturday evening/Sunday morning by silent auction officials with instructions for payment and pickup.
All auction items must be paid in cash to silent auction officials.
Auction animals will only be released to the winning bidder when an appropriate crate or box is produced.
Animals must be picked up between 12 and 2 pm on Sunday. Sold animals will only be held for the buyer until Sunday at 2 pm. Any animal not collected by 2 pm will be offered to the next bidder on the auction form. If no buyer is identified, the animal will remain in the ownership of the exhibitor.