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.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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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