marc_p Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 They say that the rabbit population is above the pre-myxomatosis levels. For those too young to know, they introduced a virus that killed rabbits to try to cull numbers. 95% of rabbits in the UK were killed. So I doubt anybody would miss a few rabbits. There's loads of rabbits round mine with myxy. Until you see it everyday for yourself you probably won't understand how cruel it is, they suffer with it for a long time until they die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 There's 20 in the freezer, for the owls, We ourselves could live off the rabbits this year, no worries. So a semi cull? Survival tip, you can't survive on a rabbit diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt k Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Moral quandary. You look out the bedroom window and see a minimum of 4 or 5 rabbits grazing and digging the lawn at almost any time of the day, and dozens at night. They look cute, give endless entertainment to visitors from the towns, but make a real mess. Do you shoot or leave? http://www.chriswilson.tv/rabbits/rabbits.html Buy a Buzzard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Survival tip, you can't survive on a rabbit diet. No worries, I drink lots of beer too, does that make it a balanced diet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Buy a Buzzard If I had a decent camera I could have got a nice shot of an extended family of six buzzards right over head last week. One other thing there's no shortage of round here is buzzards They seem more interested in next doors doves than rabbits though, although I have twice seen them take a young one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 i think they make a nice addition.. free lawnmower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Gardener and animal lover, but also quite fond of 'proper' home cooked food. It's 2 out of 3 so shoot them and have Mrs Wilson make a nice pie or stew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aweegin Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 You could thin the populace, if you are that way inclined..tho personally..I'm no fan of rabbit..but it's a shame to waste it. I get a few too, the don't generally cause me too much trouble, only when I set the veggie garden. Then I have to put up a little fence..nothin fancy just a short chicken wire job.. maybe you could do this round your perimeter? It doesn't have to be too tall, so is quite easily hidden by plants etc. Check for burrows too...they have a tendency to dig in my flower borders.. Thankfully..I don't get as many as you..! (if you want a partridge to make a game pie, let me know..i got them too lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Survival tip, you can't survive on a rabbit diet. Remind us why - I used to know and it's annoying me that I can't recall. Something like too much iron in their blood or something isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kslb Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 If you are an animal lover and a garden lover I can provide you with a solution. The land around us is swarming with rabbits and buzzards and the land also used to be stocked with pheasants every year. The buzzards used to take the young pheasants and the rabbit population grew as a result so we started going out spotlighting for rabbits and then would leave the dead rabbits in open areas for the buzzards and foxes. This allowed the young pheasants a chance and controlled the rabbit population in the area. We would go out for 1-2 hours and get anything from 35-60 rabbits. So your solution: Shoot the rabbits and leave them out in an open area for the buzzards (not your garden) this will then help preserve the doves and lets face it if they don't eat your rabbits tey will still eat others so in a way you are saving the other rabbits as well as the doves. A nice balance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 I like the buzzards eating the doves, they are a bleedin' pest I used to want a dove cote, but having seen the mess they make, and how much stuff they eat, and how they interbreed with pigeons, I am no longer a fan I think I'll try a controlled cull, eat a few, give over a whole freezer to keeping maybe 50 for the owls over the winter, and see if I can sell some to other bird of prey keepers. I will have to use bismuth cartridges though, which aren't cheap. Thanks for the ideas and opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aweegin Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I noticed the rabbits only started coming round when i lived alone..cos its quiet whilst i was at work.. when there were folks around during the day..no rabbits. If you have a dawg..try letting him/her run riot a bit..it may even catch one or two!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I have taken the view that some must be shot here. We keep horses and they are happy digging big holes in the field. One of the horses sticks its leg in the hole and its game over. The local fox would much rather go though my bins than catch the buggers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Vicki says not to shoot the wabbits, especially as you've taken photos of them. Shoot em, my cats go crazy for rabbit meat! I'd have them off your Chris but I don't know how skin and cut them up. I've a better idea. Shoot the cats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Tell her not to worry, I have snared them instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazla Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 I supose it makes the gardening easier, eveything gets a good trimming. I know what you mean about the holes in the lawn though, my dog digs for the fun of it. Drives me mad! I'd love to have rabbits bouncing about in my garden, instead i just get the tree rats. Good fun to watch though:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pig Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 I had a similar problem in my garden. I have killed about 30 over the last month or 2 and now its very rare to see any. I used to love them but when I bought new plants and the rabbits just ruined them I lost it with them and bought a new air rifle. With reference the dove cot, I have one and have has up to 32 white doves visit in the morning and love them to bits. Its the best addition to my garden. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Remind us why - I used to know and it's annoying me that I can't recall. Something like too much iron in their blood or something isn't it? I think so, I recall reading in Lofty Wiseman's survival book about some guys stranded in the wilderness who started snaring rabbits daily, but ended up in poor health or maybe dying. Celery is another one, it uses more energy in digestion than it gives back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aweegin Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 ..maybe he caught the ones with Mixxy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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