Foxing the Fox Part One: Rabbit Hutches, Runs and other Basic Equipment.
Foxes are Bad News for Pet Rabbits! In part one of our mini Series “Foxing the Fox” we look at the basic necessities to keep outdoor rabbits Safe.
Firstly you need a good strong rabbit hutch with a firmly attached roof. Large preferably locking door bolts if not provided should be fitted. It is possible now to buy very cheap combination padlocks or suitcase locks that can be used to make sure rabbit hutch doors are locked and secure. Any Modern rabbit hutch should have strong wire mesh, this should be a weld-mesh minimum 19 Guage. Cheaper chicken wire was designed to keep chickens in, not the fox out. Ensure that the the back and sides of the hutch are sturdy and try to place the hutch close to the house if you can. If you have a persistent fox problem you might also consider shutters for the mesh doors or a cover for the hutch so that the fox can’t see the rabbits. If you do this however you must ensure there is enough ventilation of the hutch and never forget and leave the shutters on all day. In most cases this would not be necessary.
Obviously Pet rabbits should not spend all day in their rabbit hutch, so you can either dedicate your life to watching then on the lawn or invest in a large sturdy fox proof rabbit run. To Be worthwhile the run should be large enough for the rabbit to run and excercise. A good strong wire is essential and also lots of hiding places, tunnels and bolt holes so that your buns feel safe. If the run is a permanent addition to your garden consider making it large enough to walk into. Also consider placing slabs around the outside edge so that the fox can’t dig his way in.
In short large sturdy hutches and Runs with Good Door bolts and strong wire are now the minimum for keeping your pets safe. In part two we will start to look at ways of keeping foxes out of your garden altogether.
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