{"id":1173,"date":"2026-03-18T16:39:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T16:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/?post_type=4h-project-cpt&#038;p=1173"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:13:03","slug":"4-h-cavy-project","status":"publish","type":"4h-project-cpt","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/4h-project\/4-h-cavy-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Cavy Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-section-title-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"is-style-highlight-heading\"><span class=\"is-style-highlight-heading\">Animal Science<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Boulder County 4-H Cavy Project<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Cavies, more commonly known as guinea pigs, are easy-to-care-for household pets and are a great way for young people of all ages to get involved in livestock projects in 4-H.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In the 4-H Cavy Project, enrolled members will learn how to perform health checks on their animals, how to care for their animal through nutrition and other practices, how to show their animal, and gain general knowledge about the diverse breeds that make up the cavy family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">All animals and family pets are welcome in this project. Come ready to learn more about your animal\/s and share in the joy that is cavy ownership!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a aria-label=\"View Overview &amp; Tips PDF for the 4-H Rabbit Project\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/4h-proj-material\/cavy-project-materials\/\">County 4-h project materials<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1222\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1174 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp 1920w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=300,191 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=768,489 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=1024,652 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=1536,978 1536w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=1400,891 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=600,382 600w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/4h-cavy-26.webp?resize=1568,998 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator alignfull has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-brush-stroke\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);height:40px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-30645bcc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Schedule\">2026 Cavy Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feb 13, 14<\/strong><\/td><td>2\/13 Friday, 5:30 PM: ARBA Show Setup<br>2\/14 Saturday, 8:30 AM: ARBA Show<br>2\/14 Saturday, ALL DAY: Fundraiser &amp; Clean Up<br>BARN A &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Feb 21<\/strong><\/td><td>2 &#8211; 4 PM: Workshop<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>March 14<\/strong><\/td><td>2 &#8211; 4 PM &#8211; Workshop<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Apr 11<\/strong><\/td><td>2 &#8211; 4 PM &#8211; Workshop<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>May 8<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, 5:30 &#8211; 7:30 PM: Combined Workshop with Rabbits<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>June 13<\/strong><\/td><td>2 &#8211; 4 pm workshop<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>July 26<\/strong><\/td><td>2 &#8211; 4 pm workshop<br>Clover Club Room &#8211; Boulder County Fairgrounds<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-30645bcc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Project-Requirements\">Project Information &amp; Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Members must be enrolled in the Cavy Project through 4-H as well as be members in good standing of a 4-H club. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Members must complete a 4-H Livestock Record book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Members must own their animals. This project is meant to be a place where cavy owners of all ages may learn more about their animals regardless of their cavy\u2019s breeding. Cross-breeds and family pets are welcome in the Boulder County 4-H Cavy Project. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Cavy Project Superintendent will arrange periodic workshops to coach members on cavy husbandry, provide learning opportunities about what to expect at the Boulder County Fair competition, and assist with record book development. The workshops will also provide members an opportunity to work together to develop skills and knowledge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-30645bcc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learning Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>4-H offers a Cavy Resources Handbook for new members <a href=\"https:\/\/shop4-h.org\/products\/cavy-curriculum-resource-handbook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>4-H Cavy Resources Handbook<\/strong><\/a> <em>(**This is usually ordered through your 4-H Leader)<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ARBA offer a <a href=\"https:\/\/arba.net\/product\/standard-of-perfection-2016-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Standard of Perfection Guide 2021-2025 \u2013 ARBA<\/strong><\/a> as well as the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acbaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ARBA website<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are also numerous YouTube videos that illustrate 4-H Cavy health checks for reference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-record-books-e-records\">Record Books \/ e-Records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4-H Record Books are also called e-Records. Each project has its own record book that members are required to complete each year. Record books have a few times to be checked on progress throughout the year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>June &#8211; your 4-H leader will be sure your books are started and up to date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prior to showing at the Boulder County Fair, your record books will be checked by your superintendent to be sure they are up to date and complete as can be in order to participate and show at the fair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Final Companion animal record books are due to be received at the extension office by the second Friday in September. (please note: your 4-H Leader may need an earlier deadline for review and signatures.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-csu-content-selector--grid wp-block-csu-content-selector\" data-grid-columns=\"3\">\n\n\t\n<article class=\"grid-card c-card c-card-post c-card-post--material post-4232\">\n\n\t<div class=\"c-card__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__eyebrow is-style-eyebrow is-style-eyebrow-light\">\n\t\t\t\tProject e-Records\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"c-card__heading\">\n\t\t\tLivestock e-Record (Junior)\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"c-card__material-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordJr.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View PDF for Livestock e-Record (Junior)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-pdf\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPDF\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordJr.xlsx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View XLS for Livestock e-Record (Junior)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-xls\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tXLS\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"grid-card c-card c-card-post c-card-post--material post-4230\">\n\n\t<div class=\"c-card__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__eyebrow is-style-eyebrow is-style-eyebrow-light\">\n\t\t\t\tProject e-Records\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"c-card__heading\">\n\t\t\tLivestock e-Record (Intermediate)\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"c-card__material-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordInt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View PDF for Livestock e-Record (Intermediate)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-pdf\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPDF\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordInt.xlsx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View XLS for Livestock e-Record (Intermediate)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-xls\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tXLS\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n<article class=\"grid-card c-card c-card-post c-card-post--material post-4234\">\n\n\t<div class=\"c-card__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-card__eyebrow is-style-eyebrow is-style-eyebrow-light\">\n\t\t\t\tProject e-Records\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t<h3 class=\"c-card__heading\">\n\t\t\tLivestock e-Record (Senior)\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"c-card__material-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordSr.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View PDF for Livestock e-Record (Senior)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-pdf\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPDF\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"c-card__material-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2026\/10\/LivestockRecordSr.xlsx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"View XLS for Livestock e-Record (Senior)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-xls\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tXLS\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-30645bcc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Boulder County Fair Protocols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Typically, the Cavy show at the Boulder County Fair is a two-day event.\u00a0 At the time of check-in, members will need to bring their animal\/animals, an appropriate cage, bedding, food and water, and a cloth to cover the cage if needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Members must have an up-to-date record book for this project at the time of check-in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ear tags or tattoos are not required for this show, but all animals must have photos (front, rear, both sides) on file to properly identify if needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cavies will be examined by a fair veterinarian to ensure the health of the animal before for the fair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Members will be responsible for animal maintenance, feeding\/watering, and general care over the period of time that their animals are at the fairgrounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Members may compete in Conformation and Showmanship events in the Cavy Project.&nbsp; First and Second place winners in Showmanship will have the opportunity to compete in the fair\u2019s Small Animal Round Robin competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Animals and members will be released from the fair by the Cavy Superintendent upon completion of the Cavy Show.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">View the Colorado 4-H <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/co4h.colostate.edu\/programs-projects\/animal-science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Animal Science page<\/a><\/strong> for general project information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator alignfull has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-brush-stroke\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);height:40px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t<p class=\"c-card__no-results\">Currently there are no upcoming events scheduled. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator alignfull has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-brush-stroke\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);height:40px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-30645bcc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact the Cavy Project Team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>We are ready to help and support you in your 4-H livestock journey.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9b47041c wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:nekonessa25@yahoo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vanessa Lennon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-accent-border wp-block-paragraph\">Boulder County Fair Cavy<br>Project Superintendent<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:bkwang@bouldercounty.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brenda Kwang<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-accent-border wp-block-paragraph\">Boulder County Specialist CSU Extension<br>4-H Youth Development Livestock &amp; Animals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Animal Science Boulder County 4-H Cavy Project Cavies, more commonly known as guinea pigs, are easy-to-care-for household pets and are a great way for young people of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":1174,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"area_tax":[],"county_tax":[],"global-club-4h_tax":[],"global-4h-project_tax":[],"global-4h-project-category_tax":[],"region_tax":[],"class_list":["post-1173","4h-project-cpt","type-4h-project-cpt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/4h-project-cpt\/1173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/4h-project-cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/4h-project-cpt"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/4h-project-cpt\/1173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1713,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/4h-project-cpt\/1173\/revisions\/1713"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_tax?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"county_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/county_tax?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"global-club-4h_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-club-4h_tax?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"global-4h-project_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-4h-project_tax?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"global-4h-project-category_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-4h-project-category_tax?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"region_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region_tax?post=1173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}