Domestic rabbits living wild, a fox has begun to pick them off

I have been feeding a group of domesticated rabbits that have been living outside and wild for about 2 years now. Over this time their numbers have fluctuated with the seasons and presence of predators but in the last few weeks the sighting of a fox on three different occasions and the sharp drop from 6 rabbits to just 2 has confronted me with the dilemma of what I should do. To me it is a simple example of nature taking its course, these rabbits have attracted this predator and when they are gone the predator will move on to other sources of food. I have cared for these rabbits, they are cute, it brings be joy to feed them and watch them grow. I guess I am asking if there are any simple ways to deter this fox from coming around. It has amazed me how these little bunnies have survived the winters here at 5200 feet with tons of snow, so I feel a bit attached to them but also appreciate this circle of life revolving in its own way here. I just wanted to share this little story and see what anyone thought or could offer. Thanks!

Aaron Tusmith wrote:I guess I am asking if there are any simple ways to deter this fox from coming around.

A dog.

Rabbits can be quite snug in their burrows so I am not surprised at them coping with the cold . Since you say 'domestic' rabbits I assume their colouring may not be blending in with the natural surroundings :-)
Raynard must be quite happy he has found them I suspect . Unless he is scared off by a dog etc He will hang around until the easy food has gone .

David

The fox is stoked, the other night he had made a little nest on the top of my car, we had about a foot of fresh snow and there he was all cozy grooming itself and watching the opening of the den.

My answer is unlikely to be popular, but these are (based on the definition of domestic) a non-indigeneous species that should never have been encouraged in the first place, unless the end plan was to capture and home them.

Feral rabbits (pet or domestic rabbits living wild) generally colonize rapidly and with their burrows and feeding habits cause serious damage to the environment. Domestic rabbits are exactly that, domestic/introduced species that should never be "set free".

In this case I would highly encourage you to allow nature to "take it's course" unless you plan to immediately capture and provide a human home for them.

Yeah, I sure am grateful for my dog. I have a donkey, and two large groups of ducks--who seem to never sleep. In this security cluster, anything moves, the ducks wake up the donkey and the dog, and it's flashing lights and sirens. It's completely impossible to sneak a duck in these circumstances.

Baby chicks and ducks are suspended three feet from floor and ceiling in my prep room--again from experience that forged the current model.

Had the worst time with rabbits, man. Cruel, murderous little bastards. I eventually processed them off and stuck to birds and ungulates.