Brett’s Fish Farm Mud Pond Project
Abstract
Koi are kept in mud ponds in Japan to help facilitate their good growth and development. One type of mud pond project is where the hobbiest purchases the young koi from the breeder, then leaves the koi with the breeder for a season’s growth in the breeder’s mud pond. At the end of the growing season the pond is harvested and the fish goes home with the hobbiest, much larger and more beautiful than could have been achieved in a hobby type pond.
Brett’s Fish Farm is offering some very select koi from its production as well as from Dainichi Koi Farm in Japan for just such a project. The price of the koi includes a full season’s growth in a low stocking density mud pond.
The Fish
The fish offered for the project are among the very best produced on Brett’s Fish Farm during the last two growing seasons. Some are ’06 from a late spawn and some are ‘07 from an early spawn. This means that they, while from differing year classes, have had similar opportunities to grow and are close together in size. Many varieties are represented, these being the true tategoi of each group.
Some of the fish eligible for the project were bred in Japan by Dainichi Koi Farm, most famous and recognized koi producer on Earth. Mostly showa, there are a few other types, these of a very high quality and potential for development.
Suffice it to say that only the very best fish will be eligible for this unique opportunity.
The Pond
The pond being set aside for this project is approximately one third of an acre and holds more than a million gallons of water. It is a clay pond, consisting of the local soil type, a montmorillonite mineral clay being the largest component. These types of soils are the same found in Japanese mud ponds and are famous for helping to bring out the best in growing koi.
The pond bottom will be dried, limed with hydrated lime, and aired out. Once the bottom is prepared the pond will be filled with filtered water. The area over the pond will be covered with parallel fishing lines to prevent bird predation. The pond will have an air diffuser type aeration device to insure the highest quality water possible.
The Project
The project will be limited to 100 entries (fish) so that each fish gets the greatest possible benefit. The fish will be kept over winter (until late February or so) in protected vats at the fish farm. Once the pond is filled and the weather warmed the fish will be stocked into the mud pond and left until Next November or December. This will allow for the greatest possible benefit. The fish will live in an environment of abundant natural foods, and be given a supplemental diet of high quality fish food on a daily basis.
Each fish will be photographed and logged as belonging to particular person. A copy of the photograph will be sent to the participant for their records.
The Insurance
While there will be no guarantee other than the fact these fish will be cared for as well or better than any on the farm, there will be a modicum of insurance offered as part of this program. Brett’s Fish Farm will place an additional 20 to 25 fish in the pond of similar varieties and values as those that were purchased. Upon harvest, each fish will be sorted and assigned an owner by comparing the photos. If a fish is missing, damaged, washed out, etc. there will be an opportunity to have it replaced by one of the extras. This will be done at the sole discretion of Brett’s Fish Farm on the following basis. The person who is determined to have lost the greatest value will have the first chance to pick one of the replacements. The next loss will be next and so forth until all replacements are used up or no more losses have been assessed.
All fish in the project were either bred at Brett’s Fish Farm or in the case of the Dainichi fish, were bred under Japanese governmental inspection and imported under American regulations. The Dainichi koi have been on premises for over six months. Bio-security at Brett’s Fish Farm has always been strict and this is no exception. The potential for viral infection will always exist, but the risk has been minimized by every means imaginable. These fish are safe.
The Sale
The fish will be pictured and offered up for sale on the web site and at the farm until the project has filled up. Prices listed for individual, or groups of fish include the cost of keeping the koi in the mud pond. The fish listed for the project are only available through the project. Once purchased, the new owner can take the fish home if he/she wishes, but there will be no refunds for not keeping the fish in the mud pond.
The Harvest
At some point in late summer a harvesting date will be set. This potentially to coincide with Brett’s Fish Farm’s annual Winter Party, so that many can participate and enjoy the harvesting and appreciating of the harvested koi. The harvested koi will be packed to carry home in excellent condition. If the owner cannot appear, shipping arrangements can be made in accordance with Brett’s Fish Farm’s shipping policy. You need not be present to participate.
