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We just got a couple of rabbits as pets. Was planning on keeping them in an open topped dog run-like enclosure constructed with chicken wire over hog wire, 5ft tall,, with a shelter/coop at one end to give them a place out of the rain.
They are safe from our dogs, but does anyone know if they are safe from attack by hungry mongoose?
Any input welcomed!
Robert
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maybe... but they are a high risk to the fragile Hawaiian Endemic Plant ecosystem.. so it might well be a GOOD thing the mongoose picks them off when they escape into the wild IMO...
On our property, a single rabbit from my neighbours lot did more damage to my endemic seedling and smaller loulu than a cow, 2 sheep, chickens, pheasants, dogs, cats, kids, and a 300+ lb tame pig ever did....
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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We never had problems with mongoose but rats are a constant problem. You'll want to take the rabbit's food in at night. Adult rabbits should be OK but we've had kits (baby rabbits) killed by rats. We wound up having to bring the kits inside at night. Since rabbits only feed their young a few times a day they won't miss any feedings.
Mongoose don't help but there are a variety of parasites in Hawaii that keep the escaped rabbit population in check. Healthy adults seem to resist the parasites well but if your rabbits ever have contact with the ground and suddenly get lethargic and can't seem to hold their heads up they will need an injection of ivermectin right away or they will die. Escaped rabbits are easily trapped in a live trap baited with their favorite treat, but you can only catch them once or twice and they won't go into the trap again. At that point the only option to prevent what bananahead is talking about is a rifle. A .22 air rifle works fine and won't make enough noise to bother the neighbors.
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Rabbits can also be neutered, for about the same cost as fixing a cat, if you don't want endless baby rabbits. Some cats (who can climb well) will kill rabbits if they aren't the big Dutch giants.
