I Am So Sick Of Rabbits

[Beaners]

We have the stupidest wild rabbits around here. I have been chasing a bunch of rabbits out of the garden, we need to put chicken wire around the bottom of the fence. I figured there might have been a nest in the potato patch where everything was too overgrown to get at. I have been finding between 1 and 3 little rabbits in my squash and cucumbers every time I go out. They look like their eyes had only been open for a little while when I first spotted them. They've got to be a month and a half old now.

Well in the last couple days I noticed some grass being piled up under one of the summer squash plants. I dug everything out of their on three separate occasions. Checked this morning and what did I find? At least 4 squirming baby rabbits under the grass. That goofy mama rabbit doesn't know when to quit. And I'm a sucker and I don't have the heart to kill them. Looks like they're going to make a buffet out of my garden!

Kayleigh

[sirquack]

Too bad you don't live closer, I would gladly take care of your rabbit problem for you. I hate them buggers with a passion. That and rabbit stew is so darn good.

Ron
:banana02:

[Beaners]

I make rabbit stew all the time, but it is with the rabbits we raise ourselves. It does seem kind of silly that we raise our own rabbits when there is an overabundance of the wild variety.

Kayleigh

[EDDIE BUCK]

Them rabbits ain't stupid.They know you will plant stuff for them to eat and grow things big enough they can have a home.lol Eddie Buck

[sirquack]

As long as the rabbit does not look sickly, I am all for using the wild kind. As you probably know there is a bit of a different taste between the raised and wild varieties, but either one works just fine for me.

:banana02:

[edcopp]

Sounds like you have pretty smart rabbits to me.

[Macybaby]

I use to be more soft hearted about the cottontails. But after many years of disputes, I harden my heart and any pinkies in my garden would be dog treats in a second.

I a now raising domestic buns for eating, DH likes them a lot better than wild, though I like them both. He's shot way to many wild ones full of fleas and worms. Our barn cats and dog think cottontail is one of the best eating around. The dog leaves nothing, the cats leave the fur and feet.

Cathy

[hillbillly]

you should not eat wild rabbit in warm weather due to the risk of deer fly fever.

[ibcnya]

Always been told and don't know where I heard it. Don't kill and eat no wild rabbit till after the first hardfrost. Followed that for many years and don't even know if it's true. I have shot rabbit in the summer and they are so loaded with ticks I am surprised they even have any blood in them.

[tamsam]

Get some fake owls and put on posts around your garden and also some real looking fake snakes will help keep them away. Be sure to move them around so they don't get used to them. Good luck. Sam

[ronbre]

our cats LOVE rabbits..we find feet every now and again and that is about it..we keep flea collars on the cats too..that way no fleas on me..

[mpillow]

Can you live-trap with something? Hav-a-hart?

I have a neighbor a few miles away....she traps the buns(getting in the garden) that her neighbor raises free range for his pit bulls to eat...I've gotten 2 nice New Zealand does(young) of late!

The pit bulls are going to be shot of course....in due time.

[Beaners]

Well, the problem is that I had torn up the spot that the mother was nesting the day before, and these little boogers showed up the next morning. They are itty bitty babies. Otherwise the problem would be solved when we put up the chicken wire around the bottom of the fence in the near future. I don't have the heart to starve out the newborns.

There are so many rabbits around here that you could put out multiple traps and they would just keep multiplying as fast as you could trap them. I counted 7 half grown rabbits and 2 adults in about an acre space behind my house and my next door neighbors. There is a hawk that has nested somewhere beyond the garden, and I'm sure it is getting fat on these rabbits. They are still bold as brass, and some of them will be out hopping while the hawk is on the neighbor's fence.

The solution is going to have to be making the garden rabbit-proof, I just have to wait a couple weeks for these babies to be big enough to kick out.

Kayleigh

[flowergurl]

Now don't laugh, but this does work. Rabbits will not come near human urine. You can save it and pour along the outside edge of the garden or have hubby "water" after dark. hehe
A co-worker had a nest of rabbits in his yard and tried many things to get rid of them. He finally "watered" the nest one evening and not a sign of the rabbits since.

[Beaners]

Well the rabbit saga has ended. I found a stray cat in the garden this morning, and the nest was empty. I should have known something was up. The ducks pitched a fit when I let them out this morning, and their pen is right next to the garden. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is why I haven't seen any baby birds after they fledge too.

As much as I wanted to be rid of the rabbits, I don't want a stray cat hanging around my place. I'm hoping our grown ducks are too big for the cat to consider. Their outdoor pen is too large to put a top on, and cats can climb fences. And I really, really don't want a pregnant stray cat hanging around here. We have plenty of our own cats, and I don't have the funds or energy to care for a bunch more.

Kayleigh

[city2country]

Mmmm Bunny Burgers...

Bunny burgers

Makes 10 burgers.

1 medium onion, finely chopped

A little oil

1kg rabbit meat, minced

250g sausagemeat or minced belly pork

About 1 tbsp mixed fresh herbs, finely chopped - I use marjoram, thyme, sage and rosemary

Salt and ground black pepper

Gently cook the onion in oil for a few minutes until softened, then set aside to cool. Meanwhile, use your hands to mix together the rabbit, sausagemeat and herbs, then mix in the onion and seasoning. Shape into 10 patties not more than 2cm thick, wrap in clingfilm and chill until ready to cook.

Cook the burgers on a barbecue or in a lightly oiled heavy frying pan for three to four minutes on each side. Serve in buns with a bit of fresh salad and either a squirt of good tomato ketchup or some mayonnaise spiked with English mustard.

[Danaus29]

Cats will dig up your garden. Trap and shoot the cat, fence the garden.