The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: Buffy the eggs layer on June 19, 2010, 07:47:21 pm
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:wave:Hi there,
we have recently purchased a 7 acre SH in East Yorkshire and want to rest the pasture before putting sheep on it. Some of the pasture has been drill seeded and is sparse in places. I am in the process of removing the ragwort, docks and thistles and would appreciate advice on how to tackle the removal of a rabbit infestation and how best to fertilise/ seed the pasture.
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Where abouts in East Yorkshire are you Buffy? I might be able to help with the rabbits.
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hi, the sheep will eat the dock leaves - which in turn should kill off the docks...get the sheep in quick and save yourself some work!
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Thanks for the offer of help with the rabbit pests.
I was thinking of getting an air rifle to shoot them over a period of time, would this be an effective approach as we appear to have 3 or more warrens on the land and looking at the burrows all seem well established. Would it be beneficial to get a profesional pest remover in first to reduce the population before following on with shooting.
Can you offer any advise on the type of air rifle to purchase, type of pellet and perhapd more importantly which to avoid.
Cheers
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I have a similar problem and bought an air rifle thinking of all those rabbit stews I could have. I've never managed to get near enough to get one!
Considering that the rifle and telescopic sight cost about £500, it's not been a good purchase.
I think I need to spend more time late evening or early morning to have any success.
My neighbour seems to have more luck using a shotgun but they make a mess of the meat; smashed bones and pellets.
NN
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let me know if you need a hand shooting the Rabbits NN....Im not a bd shoot with an air rifle
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Thanks for the offer but my neighbour (with the shotgun) has pretty much cleared them for now.
NN