Rabbit Culling - who is responsible?

[pootler]

We rent a paddock for grazing. The tenants are asking for us to undertake a rabbit cull at our expense.

There is nothing relating to this in our contract but I wouldn't expect to have to foot the bill?

Has anyone been in a similar situation that can advise please.

 

[Nasicus]

Was the rabbit problem there before they rented it, and if so did you point this out to them to make them aware of the problem?

 

[Mudfukkle]

There's usually people who would undertake this task for free, either using ferrets or hawks. Asking a local farmer if they know anyone is a good place to start.

 

[pootler]

We are in an area where it is hard to find people to do this for free, we would have to pay. We also have an obligation to make sure whoever does it has the correct insurances etc (this is non negotiable due to our situation).

There has been a previous cull but a long time ago. Rabbit proof fencing was also installed but my understanding is that the rabbits have now come through via a different direction.

 

[maisie06]

You will get it done for free! pop onto the feildsports for all group on facebook - someone will be wanting some ferreting.

 

[pootler]

I've just heard that the renter did try and get someone with a ferret but it's too close to the main road so they weren't keen.

 

[Aleka81]

I've just heard that the renter did try and get someone with a ferret but it's too close to the main road so they weren't keen.

Lol! They need someone with decent ferrets as that should not be an issue. Ferrets, air rifle etc. All posters who have said you will get someone for free are right. You just need to ask in the right places

 

[adamntitch]

Ask on hunting forum uk there's always someone looking for work for free could get them a nice bottle of something as a thanks

 

[Polos Mum]

I would work out what the cost is and then think about what the cost of replacing the tenants would be

If it's £500 and that's what they pay you in a year - clearly not worth it.

If someone with ferrets will do it for £30 diesel money and the tenants were otherwise all good then I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[ycbm]

I haven't got any experience of this but if I was renting a field I can't imagine feeling that the owner of the land was responsible for paying to control wild animals encroaching on that land. If it was to repair old rabbit proof fencing, maybe, but that's not the situation here. Do they expect you to control the moles too, or will that be their next demand?

 

[irishdraft]

We have a terrible rabbit problem and got a local guy who came in & shot a load, no charge to us, but you cannot shoot near a road or someone's property, maybe this is your location problem ? We also had a ferret chap but he caught nothing like the amount the shotgun bloke did, they also have an off season I believe which I think is now due to rabbit babies. Its quite difficult to get rid of them, another thing we did was get a mini digger and dig out their warrens but all these things aren't permanent. Maybe you can go halves with the tenant on getting something done x

 

[Vodkagirly]

Presumably the tenants want more grass/less holes? I would want the tenants to take responsibility for organising/paying for any pest control. I wouldn't want to be responsible for making sure horses were moved out of field/not upset by it.

 

[Keith_Beef]

shotgun

Wtf?

Air gun, or ferrets and nets!

It's good free range organic meat, don't inject handfuls of lead into it. If you have to shoot, a single air gun pellet in the head will kill the rabbit outright, and you've got tonight's supper.

 

[Parrotperson]

Just to be clear ti done if you posting the OP RENTS the land. It’s his landlord asking him to pay for this. Not the other way round.

 

[Parrotperson]

Just to be clear ti done if you posting the OP RENTS the land. It’s his landlord asking him to pay for this. Not the other way round.

Ok ignore me. This is wrong! It’s been a long day. That said

who owns the field?
who are the tenants?

if the OP rents it is he/she subletting? My brain isn’t working. Or it’s working too hard.
Apologies.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Just to be clear ti done if you posting the OP RENTS the land. It’s his landlord asking him to pay for this. Not the other way round.

The op says they rent their field. Their tenants want the OP to pay to remove vermin.

OP, request tenants use their own funds to remove vermin.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Have a look at Oxfordshire Smallholders on FB, ask the question and you may find people able to help FOC.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d split the costs with them.

 

[rabatsa]

I would expect the tennants to be controlling the vermin. That includes rabbits as well as rats.

 

[sunnyone]

If paying for a ferret to come out , make sure you pay by results. We'd seen 27 rabbits on our 2 acres at home so got a chap with ferrets to come along. They found none, despite posting the ferrets down every hole they could find! I'd have been under impressed if paying!

 

[stormox]

Its the wrong time of year for ferreting. Rabbits have young in nests and the ferret wont bolt the rabbits he/she will stay down the holes and eat them. You can only really do it in winter.

 

[irishdraft]

Wtf?

Air gun, or ferrets and nets!

It's good free range organic meat, don't inject handfuls of lead into it. If you have to shoot, a single air gun pellet in the head will kill the rabbit outright, and you've got tonight's supper.

My mistake it was a 2.2 rifle & yes he took all 60 odd to the local game butchers, I hope this clarification allays your concern.

 

[musk]

If there is a barn/stable block could you get some feral cats? (although someone would have to feed them still). We have cats and they provide the rabbit control for us and the neighbouring properties very effectively. It really helps that they are hunting them every day and we never have any rabbit holes on our land.

 

[Aleka81]

We have a terrible rabbit problem and got a local guy who came in & shot a load, no charge to us, but you cannot shoot near a road or someone's property, maybe this is your location problem ? We also had a ferret chap but he caught nothing like the amount the shotgun bloke did, they also have an off season I believe which I think is now due to rabbit babies. Its quite difficult to get rid of them, another thing we did was get a mini digger and dig out their warrens but all these things aren't permanent. Maybe you can go halves with the tenant on getting something done x

A shotgun bloke?!? Wow! That's not good pest control at all!
And no there isn't a season at all

 

[rabatsa]

The rabbits here breed all year round.

 

[PeterNatt]

It is the Landowners responsibility to control the rabbits unless your tenancy states it is your responsibility.