Maurer claims trophy with Californian rabbits

A little grain, some sunflower seeds and water.

Those were the secrets given on Thursday by 10-year-old Brent Maurer after winning the 2017 Grand Champion Meat Rabbit Pen at the Chippewa County Fair.

This was the fourth year Maurer has entered the competition and his best finish, to date, had been fifth place in 2016.

While the feed and care might have been contributing factors, Maurer expressed the belief that changing the breed of rabbit also helped propel him into first place. After three years of raising a variety known as “silver foxes,” he opted for Californian rabbits in 2017.

The son of Ryan and Sara Maurer raised his rabbits, along with a pig that was also shown at this year’s fair, on the family’s small 8-acre farm.

The winning pen of rabbits is destined for sale at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, while Brent will head to the fifth grade on Tuesday.