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Hedgehogs good - Rabbits bad

plummetplummet Posts: 6
in Wildlife gardening
We have an allotment.  It is near waste ground that is infested by rabbits.  We are having to re-fence it, and in the meantime we have had to surround our vegie beds with netting.

I would love to make the plot hedgehog friendly but want to exclude the bunnies.

Is it possible to devise a hedgehog tunnel that would allow - indeed encourage - hedgehogs but that would exclude rabbits?

Plummet  

Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl East Devon, on the Edge of Exmoor.Posts: 3,851
    nope. Rabbits will exploit the weakness long before the hedgehogs find it. Better to maybe set a little area aside outside the fence line with a hogitat to encourage the hedgehogs. Gives you somewhere to lob the slugs from inside the fence line from which they hopefully will not return. 
    “This isn't life in the fast lane, it's life in the oncoming traffic.”
    ― Terry Pratchett
  • FairygirlFairygirl west central ScotlandPosts: 31,362
    @raisingirl is right - unfortunately. Make sure your fence is well below soil level too - those b***ers can dig for victory. They make Charles Bronson in The Great Escape look like a total novice.... :D

    Satisfying, that slug tossing, isnt it? I prefer to lob the snails though. The ones here have got massive shells. Nice and easy to get a good pitcher's grip on 'em.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....


  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,676
    Be sure not to catch any hedgehogs in the netting @plummet , they can get their little feet caught up in the holes which could possibly cause them to die in the most agonizing way. Rabbits are a pain for veg gardeners and luckily we haven't had too much of a problem with them - although I feel your frustration and desire to keep them away.
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 860
    I found chicken wire a good deterrent against rabbits, as Fairygirl says make sure the wire is secure well below the surface.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 8,563
    As you don't actually say that you have seen evidence of Hedgehogs in your vicinity, before getting too excited, I'd make sure that they are about otherwise you could be expending effort for no reason.
    Apologies if I have misunderstood.
    Lucky me that I've never had to contend with rabbits but the advice given above seems to cover the problem.. 
  • plummetplummet Posts: 6
    philippa smith2 said:
    As you don't actually say that you have seen evidence of Hedgehogs in your vicinity, before getting too excited ...

    I have seen hedgehogs in the area.  I have even rescued one that was stuck at the bottom of our cellar steps.  However I am sure that their numbers around here are getting less.  Sad to say in many ways, but we used to see many squashed on the roads, but now it is a rare sight.

    Plummet 

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 6,520
    At the very least, you could always put out a dish of water and maybe some cat biscuits @plummet.
    As far as l know rabbits don't eat cat biscuits? If you can't do that at the allotment maybe you could at home, if you don't already  :)
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,676
    A tiny baby hoglet and three adults here last night - that is cheering after the episode with the crows attacking and mainly killing the three little hogs last month.  I do hope this little one keeps out of their way.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 8,563
    plummet said:

    I have seen hedgehogs in the area.  I have even rescued one that was stuck at the bottom of our cellar steps.  However I am sure that their numbers around here are getting less.  Sad to say in many ways, but we used to see many squashed on the roads, but now it is a rare sight.

    Plummet 

    In that case, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that they will visit your allotment.
    I had them as regular visitors in my last garden ( all the kit including food and detailed instructions left with new owner !! ) but none in the new garden.
    More squashed Badgers and Pheasants round here than Hedgehogs these days.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim LincolnshirePosts: 2,951
    Good to hear they are trying again @Guernsey Donkey2 and hope these make it.
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