posted 3 years ago
Our field has been fenced with 4 foot tall 2x4 wire welded fencing since we began cultivation. This is our first year with rabbit pressure. We'd like to upgrade the perimeter of our fence with chicken wire along the bottom. We know we can't exclude rabbits 100%, but we'd just like to improve our odds.
Price of chicken wire is substantial these days given we'd need about 500 feet. Would 1' along the bottom suffice or would we have to pay double and get the 2' tall. I've seen rabbits sneak through the 2x4 fencing, but I have a hard time imagining them lifting up their front paws over the chicken wire and balancing enough to get through gaps that are 12" tall. But I'm not a rabbit acrobatics expert.
I've also considered weaving willow branches along the bottom to close the gaps? I know they could chew through these though. Tulsi basil does nothing.
Around the perimeter, we do have a layer of vegetation. I've been starting to cut that back to help make it a little more open (so rabbits may feel vulnerable). What's interesting to consider is the same vegetative cover that I want to help attract snakes (I've got at least one rat snake hanging out and a lot of small brown snakes), also attracts peter rabbit.
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