The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Other => Rabbits => Topic started by: MAK on March 07, 2013, 05:39:10 pm

Title: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: MAK on March 07, 2013, 05:39:10 pm
We have never been troubled by wild rabbits but since taking down the electric pig fencing we noticed rabbit tracks in the snow coming down the hill between our 2 barns to visit our buck. I saw 2 at 05:00 the other day and notice that they sit and poo on areas previousley used by our buck as we move his run around the lawn.
I know that rabbits are very sociable but the amount of wild rabbit droppings suggest that they have a party every night.
Anyone else noticed wild rabbits visiting their stock rabbits?
Title: Re: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: deepinthewoods on March 07, 2013, 05:51:20 pm
just fyi, rabbits have 2 kinds of poops green and black, the first green ones are eaten communally, the black ones are left. if their sharing, you could get disease from the wild ones, but you could also gain immunity as that is the point.
Title: Re: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: YorkshireLass on March 07, 2013, 06:21:48 pm
Not personally (they'd have to get through walled garden, past the dog, into building...


But I've heard of it with others.


Wasn't it Watership Down where they went and nicked a couple of pet does?  :innocent:
Title: Re: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: MAK on March 07, 2013, 08:36:12 pm
Yes I have been whisteling "Brown Eyes" all day.
Only black poos DITW but we will take care where we place the bucks run next time we move him. The does are well fenced in their run although one has been digging like mad.
Title: Re: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: Plantoid on April 29, 2013, 02:14:27 am
Rabbits do have middens , wild ones will also come to yours rabbits midden on the look out for a spare handy opposite sex .
If you want RHD / VHD / Calsi 9 sp ) virus or myxomatosis in your stock  using a common midden  is one way of getting it,  for fallen rabbit fleas and infected midges etc laying eggs can/will hang around it for several hours in warmer weathers
Title: Re: Regular visitors to our meat rabbits.
Post by: MAK on April 29, 2013, 10:25:39 pm
thanks Plantoid - ours rabbits are now all secure in their cages, The female who found her way out at night to "play" with the wild rabbits has now had 10 kittens. We believe the sire was a wild rabbit and he has now stopped visiting her and sitting outside her run. All our meat rabbits are now secure and well away from the wild rabbits ( and healthy).
We will ensure that we keep them apart from the wild ones - Thanks agin Plantoid.