Meat Rabbits

So this is something I've been giving a lot of thought to over the last few years. 

I almost did it a few years ago before we rented the land next door. But then came the sheep and our meat supply was sorted. Although it only happened once a year.

Since selling them I've been thinking about ways to replace that.

Rotten Galvanised Rabbit Wire

Well yesterday I manage to find out how those pesky rabbits had managed to get into the garden the other day. 

I spotted a game trail going across the garden next to another damaged tree.

Game trail under the wire

 The most annoying thing is that the trail seems to go under the wire, but four years ago when I put this wire in, I spent a lot of time digging it into the ground a good foot or so so the rabbits couldn't dig underneath it. 

The trouble is it's rotted off at ground level. So far it only seems to be one section but I'm more than a little disappointed with the galvanised wire that I bought. I always thought that the posts would give out long before the wire. 

 So I did a repair on the fence, digging in some more wire and attaching it to the old wire. I'll have to keep an eye on the rest of the wire now as well, I'll probably only realise I have another problem when I see more rabbit damage.

Anyone know a solution for stopping wire rotting off like this or have a better solution for a rabbit proof fence. Maybe if I ever get all my other jobs finished I'll build a wall around the garden! 

Rabbits Getting Past The Rabbit Proof Fence

########## This post contains pictures of dead animals! ###########

 I was more than a little disappointed to see some apple trees in my "rabbit proof" veg garden had been damaged by rabbits (the same ones that were damaged by mice last year). So tonight I decided to get some payback and remove them from the garden. 

 Armed with a torch and my trusty little bolt action .410 shotgun I removed the offenders that I caught in the act - no trial needed. 

They've now been gutted, skinned and put in the fridge for a tea one night this week. they were both a good size so should make a good stew!

I now need a bit of time in the light to find out where they were getting in or whether is was just as simple as leaving the gate open for an hour whilst I was in the garden the other day?

Leek Thief

Sometimes you learn things the hard way. I'm living back in "proper" countryside now, not like the village I was before. That means if I leave plants outside the rabbit fence, even just for a couple of days to harden off, they will probably get eaten. My leeks are now much shorted than they were to prove this! Rubbish.

"Shorter" leeks

Now what though? Plant some more - its too late really or just plant these - will they do any good or grow bushy? Some help please!

Nice pot of salad

Everything else seems to be looking good and we had our first salad last night from a pot in the green house with loads more nearly ready to have.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Although I'm worried my veg garden might be a little large its better to have too much space than not enough, despite some of the problems, like weeds, that will come with it.

Rabbit poo or "bumbles" as my wife calls them

One problem I'm hoping not to have to deal with too much is rabbit damage. Although I've not seen that many about yet (I've shot a couple with the air rifle) I know they're around, I can see the signs. I will try to keep their numbers down but the best solution is a good fence.

Staples holding the straining wire which in turn holds up the rabbit wire

 Every night over the last week or so I've been putting up a section of wire. I managed to finish it this week, but I've still got three gates to make and fit before its "rabbit proof" and then I need to add a top rail to make sure its stock (sheep) proof.

The fence finished - need to make some gates and maybe add a top rail to stock proof it

Then I can finish the chicken pen and start the pig pen!