How deep do I need to dig?

[GBov]

Hi there! I just discovered your forum and I have a colony set up question.

I do have a large chicken pen that worked as a rabbit colony but it was only due to luck that the buns didnt get out and my soil is powder sand so I gave up after two lost litters due to cave ins.

BUT!

My mums new place has very VERY compacted flood plain silty sandy soil so I am going to try again with a few pens and see how we get on.

So at the start I want to get it right rather than my usual of fixing the problems as I go.

How deep do I need to dig the wire in so they cant dig out and what kind of wire lasts the longest?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Hi, GBov!

Welcome to RT. I don't colony raise, but I have read a lot about it here, and there are as many different ways of doing it as there are rabbits, it seems!

Do you want them to be able to dig tunnels? They don't need to- you can give them nestboxes to use. I'm thinking that if you dig, the soil will no longer be compacted unless you tamp it down, which seems like a lot of work. Why not just lay wire down on top of the soil? I think the 2" x 4" woven wire fencing would work well, and I know it lasts for years even when buried because I have some that I put under a gate years ago because our Pyrenese dog kept digging his way out.

Good luck with your project. Post pics when you are done! It is always fun to see how other people raise their rabbits.

 

[MaggieJ]

Hi GBov... Nice to see you over here! :hi:

Laying down wire is much easier than digging it in, as MamaSheepdog says. You can use welded wire but it might be cheaper to find some used chain link fencing instead. It is very strong and durable. If you peg it in place at first, vegetation will soon hold it in place. Place it so that half is inside the colony and half is outside... That way it will help keep predators from digging in.

Predators can be a big problem in outdoor colonies. Coyotes, raccoons, foxes and owls can really decimate your population. Owls can be kept out with bird netting, but you need something better to keep out the four legged predators.

Here are links to some recent threads on predator problems:

fox-killed-my-blue-buck-t7283.html
there-s-no-predator-section-t7192.html

 

[GBov]

The reason I want to let them dig is because of the heat. Its HOT down here!

My two colony buns produced babies all last summer despite day time temps of 95+ and humidity to match.

This is only my second summer having rabbits but they have to pay for themselves and if my NZ bucks dont do the job with the girls and give me babies to sell, they all get to go hungry.

Just kidding, but too close to true to be funny lol.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Chain link is a great idea! Good tip about half in and half out, too!

You've jogged my memory about a set up you had, Maggie. GBov, when Maggie had her colony out doors she did a double layer of fencing with enough space between to prevent coons from reaching through.<br /><br />__________ Fri May 25, 2012 5:07 pm __________<br /><br />

The reason I want to let them dig is because of the heat. Its HOT down here!

How about digging a large pit and lining that with your wire? You could lay a sheet of plywood over the top and still have access, while they would benefit from the cool earth.

 

[GBov]

I keep a live trap baited and set at all times by my chicken run. Mostly when a 'coon gets intrested they walk the fence line looking for a good, easy, way in. And then its "Oooo, that smells good! and snap, we have em.

They taste a lot like beef. :twisted:

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I would think that in Florida, you would want to be able to easily monitor burrows and dens-- so Iam inclined to agree with MSD--dig a pit, and then cover it. OR-- depending on your area, build a den, complete with a PVC tunnel, place in the enclosure, and cover with soil-- that will help keep the dens above the frequent rises in the water lines during those torrential storms (I hated Florida!) I do believe MaggieJ linked, someplace here, the plans/research report on raising rabbits in a hot, arid area.

 

[MaggieJ]

Chain link is a great idea! Good tip about half in and half out, too!

You've jogged my memory about a set up you had, Maggie. GBov, when Maggie had her colony out doors she did a double layer of fencing with enough space between to prevent coons from reaching through.

Except in those days, MSD, it wasn't a colony. The space was between the outer chain link enclosure and the cages themselves. Same idea, though, and just as effective.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Except in those days, MSD, it wasn't a colony.

Ah! Well, I was close- "Back in the day when Maggie's bunnies were in solitary confinement like mine..." :roll:

 

[DanaYares]

We built a retaining wall 2' high and they dug under that. We then put an armored pathway around and they haven't gotten out since. Our colony is completely covered with a tin roof so we don't have to worry about predators.

We made our armored pathway very pretty by laying down chicken wire then over laying it with pavers with gravel in between.