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Hmm, paper clip is a good idea. And yes, Tasco and Rittel are apparently the same thing these days. I guess by "waterproof" they mean that the finished pelts won't rot if dampened.

Hi folks. I am getting to the end of my tanning experiment, and now need to keep track of which pelts were tanned in which method. I used the alum pickle (which is not a true tan), and Tasco's EZ-100 tanning kit (which results in waterproof well-tanned pelts). Because some are waterproof and...

It seems like many blues in American rabbits are aa Es_, it lurks around until crossing with whites - who are often chestnut rabbits in disguise. I suspect that the situation is similar in many other breeds. Dood is right about how best to use the steel rabbit in your breeding program. It also...

And a cup of tea??? Lucky bunny! I don't see any problems with the ingredients, so why not give it a try? Best of luck with the upcoming litter, keep us posted!

This is getting far from my original question/post, but anyway, in which breeds does red/fawn/orange not involve the presence of the wideband gene? And how would one recognize that a Creme (or other rabbit) lacked the wideband gene - would there be a pronounced undercolor in addition to a snow...

I just now ordered a Standard of Perfection (yes, I'm a bad rabbit breeder!!), so I don't know for sure quite yet... but doesn't the Creme d'Argent standard call for a white belly? So wouldn't that imply a lack of the ww wideband gene? I've tried googling the genotype and have run into mostly...

Why wouldn't folks use Champagnes? It would take just a few generations if the Champagne was truly black under the silvering, and the Creme truly red/fawn/orange without any goofy recessives. If I'm not mistaken, Champagne should be aa B_ C_ D_ E_ sisi, and Creme A_ B_ C_ D_ ee sisi. So first...

Yes, I guess it doesn't make too much sense to ask about a particular breed when I know very well that so much depends on the particular strain that you buy/work with it. But still, it does seem that in many breeds, you can make at least some generalizations that ring true in most cases. For...

Rabbitlover1975, where are you based? I have Champagnes in northern Nevada...

Hi everyone! So, in the way that these things can happen, I have somehow been persuaded to serve as the Nevada director for a new club of western Creme d'Argent breeders. It didn't bother the organizers that I don't actually have any Cremes! Champagnes are apparently close enough... Anyway, it...

Ok, so my first experiment with the Murphy's Oil Soap did not end well... Hair slip and a general lack of softness to the flesh side. It is possible that the problem was in the acid pickle step. This was my first attempt using vinegar, and it was before I looked up the "official" vinegar...

Do you have electric fences up, even around your chickens (and their feed)? In my experience, in northern NV, they have other options and if they have to take them, they will. But if your farm has high rewards for little effort, they will favor you. We see it now, the coyotes have no prey up...

Anybody going to the Stockton show in September? I hear it's usually a big one...

I am excited about the syn-tan chemicals, at least somewhat washable pelts seem like a good idea. And I don't mind (too much) a little experimentation, so why not give a couple of things a try? I'll try to keep good records and share the results, so all can learn from my mistakes. BTW, I was...

Thanks, Zass - I was just trying to make a reference to an internet meme with the "Profit??" part! I have done a lot of reading, and am excited to try a variety of techniques. My first three pelts are in vinegar, ready for first fleshing tonight. I picked up a lot more vinegar and salt from...

At 4.5 months old, the buck might not yet be fertile (even if he is willing to try), and the does not quite ready to breed. I often try to start breeding my does at 4.5 months, but if they don't immediately accept the (older than them) buck, I don't push the issue. I just try again a week or two...

That sounds about right from what I remember from high school chemistry! So, let me get the proposed work flow straight... Pickle raw pelts 1-3 days in undiluted white vinegar. Flesh out pelts. **Here's where I am uncertain - is the initial pickle likely to be enough, or should the fleshed...

Has anyone had a chance to try the vinegar to Murphy's Oil Soap process? We are experimenting with alum/salt, but it's a pain in the butt to find alum around here. And if vinegar/Murphy's works well, it sounds like a nice method for us. Zass, did you dilute the vinegar in any way?

I agree that any decent rural feed store should have pasture and hay seed for sale, maybe even bulk so you can get the reasonable amount you need. But how are you going to harvest and store your Timothy? I'm curious, as I havebeen cutting our pasture with a scythe, curing the mixed grass and...

I think the texture is more like white turkey meat. The fat, especially the suet from around the kidneys, is amazingly sweet. At least, when it's from young animals.I agree that the stock is quite different from chicken stock, somehow meatier.