Rabbit holes!

[Wagtail]

The rabbits have been terrible this year. I try to fill in holes as they start them but obviously sometimes when I find one it is very established and I worry that by filling it in I may be burying some of them alive. How can I make sure there are no rabbits down them before I fill them in? I don't have any ferrets!

 

[3OldPonies]

You probably needn't worry unless you are doing loads of holes at the same time. They'll have a bolt hole under a hedge or bush or something that they use as an emergency escape from the warren rather than day to day comings and going. (This'll be the hole that ferreters always hope they haven't missed!!!!)

 

[Ibblebibble]

rabbit warrens always have more than one entrance so unlikely you will trap them, plus they can bury into hard earth so digging out through loose earth or poo will be no trouble. I found one in my paddock past week by falling down it up to my knee!! was damn glad it was me not one of the horses, took nearly half a barrow of poo to fill it!

 

[Pinkvboots]

My land is full of them they are now digging holes around my bungalow, I am sure one day I will come home and it will have sunk down into one great hole.

 

[happyclappy]

Rabbits are and have always been an absolute nightmare for us, walls falling, holes for the neds (and myself) to trip in, destruction of plants. Not sure why people think of them s cute and cuddly!

 

[Wagtail]

Yeah they are a pain. I built an amazing allotment one year and fenced around it with electric netting. Of course they soon tunnelled underneath and built a massive warren under the whole allotment, just popping out to nibble any plant that dared try to sprout. I've now given up on being self sufficient in veg. I have to also make sure all my flowers are in hanging baskets.

 

[Clip1clop1]

I sprinkle garlic powder on their mini holes in the field. It seems to deter them from digging as they don't like the garlic wafting up their nostrils.

 

[Wagtail]

I sprinkle garlic powder on their mini holes in the field. It seems to deter them from digging as they don't like the garlic wafting up their nostrils.

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

[Adam1010]

Still having rabbit problems? I am also but I've found a sollution or at least a method of control. I have a guy who comes to my paddocks and keeps the population down my means of shooting them. Although realised that he could only use air rifles around the animals because of the noise. He's fully insured and does it for free as a hobby j believe. If you want any info (contact information) let me know.

 

[Evie91]

I had someone come and shoot a few. Made sure i was out at the time, as they might be a nuisance but they are cute and only going about their business. He used to keep some and sell others to the local butcher.
I also have two cats who keep the population of baby bunnies under control - again I admit that if I find them with one, I will rescue it and stick it back in a hole! Unless it's too late and they've already maimed or started eating it - feeding cats is so much cheaper in the spring and summer!

 

[TigerTail]

Im another who has rabbit men coming on to shoot. I have sandy land and if I didn't id have no grass left and it would be more of a minefield than it is already. TBH if you do get the odd one stuck its not something Id be losing sleep over.

Half my issue is the lady opposite me doesnt nothing on her land whether it be cleaning and maintaining her dykes or rabbit control - which as a land owner you are by law obliged to do. They hop merrily across from her field into mine constantly grr

If you've got a big warren best thing is to get someone with a bobcat to stick their bucket down and collapse it, i had one in th middle of the field done like this and they haven't revisited it. The worst place in mine id down the front track where I stick electric posts in the holes until I get chance to fill them with rubble and earth.

You can see how deep they go on my sandy soil!

 

[Copperpot]

I have someone come shoot. We use rifles or shotguns. Horses soon get used to the noise. And we have live rabbits traps out too. I found a huge hole the other week. I got 3 bags of pea shingle and tipped it down there which just filled it up.

 

[LittleRooketRider]

sorry to sound blunt.....but why does it matter? although "cute and fluffy" they are pests/vermin and probably have myxy in which case you'd be doing them a favour.

"Only going about their business" try and maintain that view when you see them decimate crops

 

[Wagtail]

sorry to sound blunt.....but why does it matter? although "cute and fluffy" they are pests/vermin and probably have myxy in which case you'd be doing them a favour.

"Only going about their business" try and maintain that view when you see them decimate crops

Why does it matter? Because all animals should be killed humanely, that's why. Allowing an animal to die a slow death through thirst and starvation because it's trapped, is not acceptable to me.

 

[Archangel]

Here we are Wagtail - there is a photo of a concrete cast of a run about half way down http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/23666803

 

[BeingKate]

I'm afraid we shoot and trap. It's done by a professional who will minimise any suffering. One of our dogs is a good rabbiter too and kills with a quick shake. I feel a little mean however I'd rather that than one of my horses break a leg (or me break my ankle!) . Plus a lot of them are mixy rabbits as well so actually it's better than leaving them to suffer in that respect. I'm afraid I think of them as pests, albeit cute ones!

 

[Wagtail]

Here we are Wagtail - there is a photo of a concrete cast of a run about half way down http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/23666803

Thanks for that. It really is quite extensive with several entrances. But I think if you are meticulous about blocking every hole then there are bound to be some trapped, particularly in the spring when they are having their babies.

 

[Wagtail]

I'm afraid we shoot and trap. It's done by a professional who will minimise any suffering. One of our dogs is a good rabbiter too and kills with a quick shake. I feel a little mean however I'd rather that than one of my horses break a leg (or me break my ankle!) . Plus a lot of them are mixy rabbits as well so actually it's better than leaving them to suffer in that respect. I'm afraid I think of them as pests, albeit cute ones!

Ours haven't had any mixi for over 8 years. They are doing very well! Our land backs on to a big estate and they do lots of lamping throughout the summer, which keeps the numbers down a bit. I have taken to blocking the holes with horse poo as this does seem to discourage them from digging the same hole again.

 

[Adam1010]

Well its been only been a couple of weeks and the rabbit man seem to be keeping on top of things. he's coming round once-twice a week during the evenings/nights and he's undoubtedly made an impact. Just hope he can keep putting the time in like he is. im not expecting miracles but he has "removed" 28 rabbits already and reckons there plenty more there.

 

[Ceriann]

We've blocked the bad holes in our field but are lucky(?!) that the warren extends to the land over our boundary, which is a rarely used footpath, so they can always escape. I will have a go at the garlic next time though! OH looked into someone to shoot but never got round to it (he's as soft as I am but just won't admit it).