It's been all summer with nothing going on. But now, with weather getting just a little cooler, everyone is getting excited. There is now a Brazilian yahoo group and there will soon be a breed standard and a club. Wow.
There is a trip planned for this early winter to go get some bunnies, YAY!! Right now everything is in a just starting to come together phase and hopefully there will be more to post soon.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Down to the wire
Well, the rabbits are six weeks old and we don't have anyone to move them in two weeks. Unfortunately, they have been having respiratory problems and the breeder doesn't think that they should be moved at all. I think she's right, especially considering how fast everything is heating up!
This does not mean the project is over!!! After all, we don't have our bunnies yet and we all knew it would take a couple of years. So now the plan is to start making arrangements for the fall. That is a better time to move rabbits from Arizona anyway, the end of June was always kind of a long-shot as far as compatible weather was concerned. I think this will work out very well in the fall as it can coincide with holiday travel.
So, start posting comments and travel plans so we can get this party started!!
This does not mean the project is over!!! After all, we don't have our bunnies yet and we all knew it would take a couple of years. So now the plan is to start making arrangements for the fall. That is a better time to move rabbits from Arizona anyway, the end of June was always kind of a long-shot as far as compatible weather was concerned. I think this will work out very well in the fall as it can coincide with holiday travel.
So, start posting comments and travel plans so we can get this party started!!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Bunnies to move!
Ok, we are at the point that we need to know who is going to be in Az at the end of June as we will have bunnies to move by then. Yaay!! When we determine where we can move them too, that will determine who gets them. Once we figure that out, we can start requesting the available colors. We don't know what the sexes are yet, so we don't know how many pairs or trios will be available. Also, if anyone was just interested in crossbreeding to get some 'Zil traits in your established herd, let me know as there will probably be some single bucks to pass around.
As you can see there are still a lot of things to figure out, but we are on our way!
As you can see there are still a lot of things to figure out, but we are on our way!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Deep breaths!!!
Okay, it seems I panicked a couple of people with the above idea. Reading back it does seem a little overwhelming. No one will be asked to do something that will hugely inconvenience them, that would be unfair. The rabbits can be moved in batches. There are people who are making trips in and out of AZ. And there are people who do not want rabbits, therefore are not on the map, who are willing to transport rabbits. And we are all aware that we might have to pay for transport. But the whole point is that it will be easier by infinity for all of us to do this working together, then for all of us to do it separately. And hey, am I the only one who has a big old car they drive around anyway?? Other people have got to have minivans and station wagons. I drive a huge old boat and wasn't thinking (and still don't think) that baby rabbits each needed their own cage. But I moved across country once with 3 people, 1 dog, 1 guineapig, 5 parakeets and 7 cats in a two door '88 Dodge Aries, so maybe I am crazy ;)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Trying to speed it up
So everyone is very excited about this and pretty disappointed that it will take so long. So here's an idea that every one involved would need to vote on as it would be very intense and need more money from the participants.
What do we think of buying as many bunnies as we can. All of them and doing the whole chain in a couple of days. Everyone would have to pay for their own pair or trio right up front. So basically, we would all send money to the breeder, then the first person on the chain would pick up 50 or so weanlings and everyone keeps their own and passes the rest down the line till they all reach their owners.
The pluses: -Everyone would have their bunnies in a few days.
-No one would have to worry about missed litters messing up the time line.
-It would be much easier to maneuver the buns to everyone south and north, east and west.
-The effort might make the news. (joke)
The minuses: -It will be a very intense few days.
-Everyone will need to pay full purchase price for the bunnies instead of a buy-in co-op price.
-We'll need to work out a system so those up north don't feel like they're getting "leftovers" ...perhaps drops of food coloring in the ears at the breeders? ie, three blue dots on the left ear is me, a vertical red stripe on the right is you, a horizontal green one is someone else's.
-I don't know if the breeder would want to pre-sell that many rabbits. While she would get the money up front, she'd probably have to hold onto some babies until she had the full amount to be picked up.
It seems to me that we all want some Brazilians, we just all can't get to Az to get some, so this chain would solve the pick up problem and we could keep the original project going, slightly modified, for those who for whatever reason can't get their bunnies now. So what do we think?
What do we think of buying as many bunnies as we can. All of them and doing the whole chain in a couple of days. Everyone would have to pay for their own pair or trio right up front. So basically, we would all send money to the breeder, then the first person on the chain would pick up 50 or so weanlings and everyone keeps their own and passes the rest down the line till they all reach their owners.
The pluses: -Everyone would have their bunnies in a few days.
-No one would have to worry about missed litters messing up the time line.
-It would be much easier to maneuver the buns to everyone south and north, east and west.
-The effort might make the news. (joke)
The minuses: -It will be a very intense few days.
-Everyone will need to pay full purchase price for the bunnies instead of a buy-in co-op price.
-We'll need to work out a system so those up north don't feel like they're getting "leftovers" ...perhaps drops of food coloring in the ears at the breeders? ie, three blue dots on the left ear is me, a vertical red stripe on the right is you, a horizontal green one is someone else's.
-I don't know if the breeder would want to pre-sell that many rabbits. While she would get the money up front, she'd probably have to hold onto some babies until she had the full amount to be picked up.
It seems to me that we all want some Brazilians, we just all can't get to Az to get some, so this chain would solve the pick up problem and we could keep the original project going, slightly modified, for those who for whatever reason can't get their bunnies now. So what do we think?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I got to talk to Kathleen Blair!
I am so thrilled. She is exceptionally nice, but she has no rabbits for sale right now. She has promised to be in touch and will let me know when she has bunnies! So everyone pray to the gods of bunny fertility LOL.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
yay! The blog is up! Again!
Hi, I'm Otter from the Homesteading Today forum. Everyone here want some Brazilian rabbits and we are trying to get them across the country and even into Canada! I have contacted the original breeder of Brazilians, but am still waiting on a response. I keep reminding myself that she has no reason to compulsively check her email 7 times a day :) I'll be posting on the progress here regularly and will try to get the pertinent links up.
The Brazilian Rabbit Project,
(the short version)
Here's how I figured it would work, You get the preggers buns, due in about three weeks. When the babies are between 4 and 5 weeks old, you breed the does., each to a different buck. Put them in twice a day until you're positive the deed was done. Let the babies keep nursing for another week or 2. (My rexes were always DONE with their kits between 5 & 6 weeks old) Then when the babies are weaned, you pass on the set, with does due in about 3 weeks.
(the whole idea)
(copied from my post on the Ht board)
Ok, I am not any kind of lawyer and I have not done anything like this before. I think that there are enough of us who would really like this to happen that we should make it a reality. I think that the best way to do this would be to contact the breeder about getting two pair of Brazilian Rabbits (a set) to pass around.
Each member of the project would get a turn to "host" the rabbits, Keeping them long enough for the does to bear one litter each and raise them. It would be the responsibility of each member to breed each doe with a different buck (buck one x doe two, buck two x doe one) when the current litter is 4 to 5 weeks old, so every member will receive 2 already bred does and 2 bucks that they can crossbreed with any rabbits they have. Pass along the adults and keep the kits. I also think that as a courtesy, we should all agree to sell Brazilian Rabbits at half price to other HTers, even if they are not directly involved in the project. of course, no one has to sell their rabbits at all, but if you choose to sell them (and in a few years we should all have plenty) we should give a break to other homesteaders.
We should all agree to "buy in" to this project. With as many people as are interested $5 each should do it, but of course, I'll have to contact for prices and see how many people are involved before I know for sure. We'll send this money to a yet-to-be-determined person in Arizona who will pick up the rabbits.
Just for fun, I think that the first few people to actively participate should get to request a color (I want one of those orangey fawns ). The rabbits should each be a different color, since lots of color is a breed trait (ie; one fawn, one broken, one blue, one white or whatever). If we collect enough we should get a second "set" and pass them on a different route, because this will take YEARS to get the rabbits to everyone that wants them.
The Brazilian Rabbit Project,
(the short version)
Here's how I figured it would work, You get the preggers buns, due in about three weeks. When the babies are between 4 and 5 weeks old, you breed the does., each to a different buck. Put them in twice a day until you're positive the deed was done. Let the babies keep nursing for another week or 2. (My rexes were always DONE with their kits between 5 & 6 weeks old) Then when the babies are weaned, you pass on the set, with does due in about 3 weeks.
(the whole idea)
(copied from my post on the Ht board)
Ok, I am not any kind of lawyer and I have not done anything like this before. I think that there are enough of us who would really like this to happen that we should make it a reality. I think that the best way to do this would be to contact the breeder about getting two pair of Brazilian Rabbits (a set) to pass around.
Each member of the project would get a turn to "host" the rabbits, Keeping them long enough for the does to bear one litter each and raise them. It would be the responsibility of each member to breed each doe with a different buck (buck one x doe two, buck two x doe one) when the current litter is 4 to 5 weeks old, so every member will receive 2 already bred does and 2 bucks that they can crossbreed with any rabbits they have. Pass along the adults and keep the kits. I also think that as a courtesy, we should all agree to sell Brazilian Rabbits at half price to other HTers, even if they are not directly involved in the project. of course, no one has to sell their rabbits at all, but if you choose to sell them (and in a few years we should all have plenty) we should give a break to other homesteaders.
We should all agree to "buy in" to this project. With as many people as are interested $5 each should do it, but of course, I'll have to contact for prices and see how many people are involved before I know for sure. We'll send this money to a yet-to-be-determined person in Arizona who will pick up the rabbits.
Just for fun, I think that the first few people to actively participate should get to request a color (I want one of those orangey fawns ). The rabbits should each be a different color, since lots of color is a breed trait (ie; one fawn, one broken, one blue, one white or whatever). If we collect enough we should get a second "set" and pass them on a different route, because this will take YEARS to get the rabbits to everyone that wants them.
If you want in, this is how it works :)
The contract
Agreement for members:
I understand that this project will take several years and I am in it for the long haul. I understand that when I commit to this project I have several responsibilities which include.
1) When it is my turn to host the rabbits, I will pick them up and drop them off promptly. I will not keep than any longer than necessary for them to have and raise one litter. I understand that life happens and should either or both does fail to successfully raise a litter that is my loss and I will not keep the rabbits for another reproductive cycle without the express permission of the entire co-op
2) I understand that these rabbits are not mine, they belong to the co-operative of people that form the project and while I may care for my own rabbits any way I see fit I agree that
a) The co-op rabbits are to be kept in above ground, escape proof cages.
b) They will have water in front of them at all times and any diet changes are to be made gradually, even if it involves feeding them something different from my other rabbits.
3) If, in the unfortunate event that one of the rabbits should die while in my care (life happens) it is my responsibility to replace that rabbit with one of the same sex and preferably same color. The best way to do this, in all likelihood, will be to trade the person I picked up the rabbits from one of my kits for one of their (older) kits so the next person down the line has to wait the minimum amount of time for the replacement rabbit to mature.
4) If I move it is my responsibility to let the co-op know as soon as possible so the network can be changed. I understand that this may change the timing of my turn to host the rabbits.
5) In the interest of co-operation, I agree that if it is possible I will let the co-op know if I am planning any trips that may allow me to "jump" the rabbits so that we can cover the maximum amount of distance in the shortest amount of time.
6) Each member agrees to, when requested by the co-op, to make a one time donation of 4 kits to a co-op member who did not host the adults. In addition, and in appreciation for the teamwork that is so much a part of this project, I will sell kits at 1/2 price to other HTer's.
Now, several people have asked "What if's". That is actually what the blog is for. If there is a problem, or a doe misses a litter, or we think the buns are getting burned out and need a breeding break, then we can post here and all the members of the co-op can work together to figure out the best solution for the particular situation.
If you want to be a member of the project, you will need to print this out and sign it. When the time comes for everyone to buy in, you'll send along a signed copy. If you don't buy in to the project, you won't get to host the adults, or receive pass-along kits. But members of the HT forum will be able to buy kits at a discount.
Agreement for members:
I understand that this project will take several years and I am in it for the long haul. I understand that when I commit to this project I have several responsibilities which include.
1) When it is my turn to host the rabbits, I will pick them up and drop them off promptly. I will not keep than any longer than necessary for them to have and raise one litter. I understand that life happens and should either or both does fail to successfully raise a litter that is my loss and I will not keep the rabbits for another reproductive cycle without the express permission of the entire co-op
2) I understand that these rabbits are not mine, they belong to the co-operative of people that form the project and while I may care for my own rabbits any way I see fit I agree that
a) The co-op rabbits are to be kept in above ground, escape proof cages.
b) They will have water in front of them at all times and any diet changes are to be made gradually, even if it involves feeding them something different from my other rabbits.
3) If, in the unfortunate event that one of the rabbits should die while in my care (life happens) it is my responsibility to replace that rabbit with one of the same sex and preferably same color. The best way to do this, in all likelihood, will be to trade the person I picked up the rabbits from one of my kits for one of their (older) kits so the next person down the line has to wait the minimum amount of time for the replacement rabbit to mature.
4) If I move it is my responsibility to let the co-op know as soon as possible so the network can be changed. I understand that this may change the timing of my turn to host the rabbits.
5) In the interest of co-operation, I agree that if it is possible I will let the co-op know if I am planning any trips that may allow me to "jump" the rabbits so that we can cover the maximum amount of distance in the shortest amount of time.
6) Each member agrees to, when requested by the co-op, to make a one time donation of 4 kits to a co-op member who did not host the adults. In addition, and in appreciation for the teamwork that is so much a part of this project, I will sell kits at 1/2 price to other HTer's.
Now, several people have asked "What if's". That is actually what the blog is for. If there is a problem, or a doe misses a litter, or we think the buns are getting burned out and need a breeding break, then we can post here and all the members of the co-op can work together to figure out the best solution for the particular situation.
If you want to be a member of the project, you will need to print this out and sign it. When the time comes for everyone to buy in, you'll send along a signed copy. If you don't buy in to the project, you won't get to host the adults, or receive pass-along kits. But members of the HT forum will be able to buy kits at a discount.
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