I just found I have a new litter of bunnies in my front yard. Now, personally, I have nothing against rabbits, but I hate burying them. I have 5 dogs, sighthounds, that love nothing more than a chase, which usually doesn't end up well for the rabbit. The dogs don't have access to the front yard, where the babies are, but the only way to get to the front yard is from the back yard where there is a small gap in the fence. I have chain link around the front, and wood privacy fencing in back. Last evening I saw a rabbit in the front yard again, went out to chase it away (I removed the hardware from the bottom of the chainlink in one corner and am able to pull it back to make an escape route for the rabbit). I was able to get within 5 ft before she ran. After she did, I was walking back and noticed a couple of baby bunny heads in a hole. So, she's got babies. I didn't see her this morning, but I left the opening in the fence, and I left the front gate open. I need to keep them from going in to the back yard. I know I can't move them. How long before they leave the nest? They looked very little, but they have fur, you could probably hold a couple of them in one hand, easily. Neighbors won't be thrilled that I can't mow the front lawn. I just hate that the last two years they've been coming into my yard. I hate dealing with dead rabbits. My yard is too big to check out before I let the dogs out. Once this litter is grown (or .....) what can I use to keep them out? I would have thought the smell of the dogs would be enough.
Sorry this is long. I'm just so worried about these babies, and other than buying some rabbit proof fencing to keep them out of the dog's yard, I don't know what to do.
Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Deb
