fence recommendation

[Hotwired]

My neighbor uses the plastic chicken wire, and it is worthless for rabbits. I had big problems with rabbits and deer. I put up the 2" x 4" wire fencing 4' high around my whole garden. The rabbits went under it. I used tent stakes exactly like Tightenup's and they dug little tunnels under the fence. I laid pavers around the perimeter (240' of them), and they squeezed through the 2" x 4" openings. I picked up some fiberglass screen material and attached a 12" high strip to the bottom of my fence. Somehow they found their way in. I built a "cat shelter" in my garden and they hang out there most of the time - problem solved.

[jillybeantx]

If you can run an extension cord, I have found that the chargers running on electricity give a better zap than the solar powered ones. Plus they are much cheaper. I love using electric fence because it's so easy to install, yet it is very effective. Even the determined animals have respected it after just one or two zaps. It is my "go-to problem solver."

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by TightenUp

my yard is open to the neighbors who have small children. i wouldnt feel right...

All you need to do is tell your neighbors about the fence, assure them it won't cause any harm beyond a short zap, then leave it to them to teach their children to stay out of your yard and away from your garden, unless they are invited over. And then if they wander over and get a little zap, it won't be your fault for not warning them.

Originally Posted by TightenUp

and what do you use now?

I'm not sure what the correct name is, but I call it goat fencing. Four feet tall wire fencing material with small or larger square holes in it. It's mounted on steel T posts driven deeply into the soil.

Ted

I used buried single strand electric fencing to keep our dogs within about three acres. They wear collars which beep when they approach the fence line. They are so accustomed to the fence and the sound that I can take their collars off and they still stay away from the fencing.

The upright electric fencing works the same. Once a dog or a kid or a raccoon touches it a few times, you can turn the electricity off and they still avoid it. They started making an electric fence wire a few years ago that looks like a piece of white tape about 1/2" wide. It flutters in the breeze and looks like a warning when you see it. I once wanted to see if it really works. It does. My knees are still shaky.

Ted

[Doug9345]

Originally Posted by tedln

I used buried single strand electric fencing to keep our dogs within about three acres. They wear collars which beep when they approach the fence line. They are so accustomed to the fence and the sound that I can take their collars off and they still stay away from the fencing.

I'm picturing someone grabbing rabbits and putting little collars on them.

The upright electric fencing works the same. Once a dog or a kid or a raccoon touches it a few times, you can turn the electricity off and they still avoid it. They started making an electric fence wire a few years ago that looks like a piece of white tape about 1/2" wide. It flutters in the breeze and looks like a warning when you see it. I once wanted to see if it really works. It does. My knees are still shaky.

Ted

Pigs can sense when the fence is on or off. I suspect a determined dog would be able to also. Tightenup's neighbor's dogs and kid should be easy to discourage it's the rabbits I see as being the problem. any electric fence low enough to bother a rabbit is also be too low to mow under and the grass and weeds will tend to short it out.

[Hotwired]

Originally Posted by Doug9345

I'm picturing someone grabbing rabbits and putting little collars on them.

That just might work in my area. Our local government has decided hunting is cruel, so they are controlling our out-of-control deer problem by capturing and sterilizing the Does at $1000 each, paid for by property tax. We have the distinction of having elected the only registered communist mayor in the US. I don't kill the deer and rabbits. I just try to discourage them with a 16 guage with rock-salt loads. Occasionally my aim is bad and I end up with pre-seasoned BBQ.

[Danaboy]

Duplicate post

[Doug9345]

Originally Posted by Hotwired

That just might work in my area. Our local government has decided hunting is cruel, so they are controlling our out-of-control deer problem by capturing and sterilizing the Does at $1000 each, paid for by property tax. We have the distinction of having elected the only registered communist mayor in the US. I don't kill the deer and rabbits. I just try to discourage them with a 16 guage with rock-salt loads. Occasionally my aim is bad and I end up with pre-seasoned BBQ.

We have our share of deer but the don't seem to bother the garden. Most likely there is too much other stuff to eat and I suspect just enough hunting and auto pressure to keep the numbers manageable. I have farm land to my south east woods across the road to north east, swamp to the west and a state park to the rear of me. THe last time I saw a rabbit my dog was in hot pursuit of it. The rabbit ran under a low limg and my dog ran straight into the limb. That was the end of that one.

[Danaboy]

Well, several years ago, I bought welded wire fencing that had 2" wide x 4" tall, rectangular holes. The roll was 60" high. I used 8', 3" diameter cedar posts, (they tend to last longer), every 8', (my garden is 100' x 100'). I built the corners with stringers and cross wires to allow it to anchor the fencing when I stretched it in. Then I took a spade and cut a groove about 6-7" deep, all around the perimeter, and up against the outside of each post. When it came time to put up the fence, and for each side, I dropped the bottom of the fence in the groove, horseshoe nailed the dickens out of it at one corner, went to the other end and used a pair of fence stretchers to make it taught, then horseshoe nailed it at every post and at the corners. Took off the stretchers, cut off the excess and there you go. I've not had a critter problem in my garden since then. Now stink bugs, that's another story.

Cy

Hotwired,

I use the same kind of wire fencing around my garden that you use. I've seen a good sized cotton tail go through it at a full run. I put 24" chicken wire at the bottom. I guess they couldn't see it and just bounced off. I haven't had them dig under the fence.

Okay, it's getting late. I need to go round the rabbits up and get their collars on them.

Ted