Raised garden beds as Pasture Runs?

MamaSheepdog · Jan 2, 2012

We have a whole slew of raised beds for our vegi garden. They are all 4' wide, and vary in length from 4' to 12'. I am thinking of "stealing" a couple of the larger beds for the bunnies. The cats think that they are enormous litter boxes, so we had to lay 2"x4" scrap wire on top to prevent digging to solve that issue, so I don't need to worry about tunneling from the buns. I would build a wire fence top for the bed(s) about 2' tall with a top so they are fully enclosed. The scrap I have available is 2"x4" field fencing- I have seen wild rabbits pop through the holes no problem, so I might need to add chicken wire also, to the sides at least if not the top as well. Or maybe just have Hubs build a wood frame and just use chicken wire.

I could transplant some filaree (high protein weed) and also plant out with lettuce, arugula, white clover, radish, beet, etc.

Thoughts?

Miss M · Jan 2, 2012

Sounds great! My only question would be about the wire laid on top of the garden. As long as it's actually on the dirt, that should be fine. If it's above the dirt, I think the rabbits might be able to hurt themselves, since their feet would go through the holes.

Okay, another possible issue... maybe a chance of coccidia spreading around, with them eating where they are pooping? Those with colonies and runs would know better than I, though.

MamaSheepdog · Jan 2, 2012

The wire is laying on the dirt- I used to have it supported by the frame of the bed, but that caused issues with certain crops. Having it on the dirt makes spacing seeds a whole lot easier too, and I know exactly where I should see sprouts!

I'm concerned about spreading disease as well- even with my play run.

MaggieJ · Jan 2, 2012

It will only spread coccidiosis if you have it in your herd. I've had no problems with it in my colony.

But... chicken wire is not secure and predators could tear it open to get at the rabbits. Chain link is strong and only very tiny rabbits could get through it.

Your best bet might be a rabbit tractor just the size to span the bed. You could move it along as the plants get eaten, giving the plants a chance to regrow and the poop a chance to break down some.

Secuono · Jan 2, 2012

Coccidiosis lives everywhere and wild animals can easily put it in your yard. There are a lot of things that are always present in the environment that could make you or any animal sick. The thing is, strong immune systems won't have any problems fighting it and staying healthy. So keep the rabbits in low to no stress and happy, you'll be fine.

2x4ft is a small area, I would only keep one rabbit in there if it's for grazing or exercise.
Why not make a special pen of them or a tractor so you can move it all over?

MamaSheepdog · Jan 2, 2012

Thanks for the input, Chickies!

The 2x4 measurement was the mesh spaces in the fencing. The beds are 4 feet wide, and 4,6,8,10, and 12 feet long. We had to make different sizes to adjust for the terrain- it slopes.

I doubt I would bother putting them in a 4x4 box though, because they would mow it down too quickly, so I'll probably make a 4x6 cage so it will fit all of the other beds, and part of the bed will not be grazed in the longer ones. We probably have about 200 linear feet of raised beds. I was thinking of planting a couple of bunny-specific-gardens, but they could also move from bed to bed to clear the harvest before I replant each bed. Added fertilizer from bunnyberries will be a plus, and watering well to disperse the ammonia should work.

The best chicken tractor I ever came up with was more of a "surround"- just a circle of fencing which could be used as an oblong or whatever. Our property is really nothing but hills of varying slopes- there is nothing flat about it. Except all those planter beds :lol: ! In the late spring and summer the ground is so hard we call it "Caliente Concrete", :x so pounding ground-stakes in is not an option.

I agree about a good immune system being the best defense- it drives me crazy that people use anti-bacterial products, especially with youngsters. Nothing better than everyday exposure to build immunity!