Live trapping a wild rabbit and relocating it

[Color_of_Light]

I built my indoor 10 years ago and last year I saw the first trace of wild rabbits. A doe had bunnies in some hay in an extra stall. Only reason I knew there were rabbits last year was because I found a dead bunny and black fur. Was surprised because I had never even seen them cross the road.

Same stall this spring…ended up stacking hay in there. Didn’t close the back door and 3 bunnies were born, more black fur. Figuring it’s the same rabbit from previous year. Once they grew up and moved out, I closed the door. Few weeks later, I found 3 newborn bunnies under a horse blanket that was hanging low, touching the floor in a grooming stall. I had no choice but to move the bunnies. About a month later, different stall, horse blankets hanging…found 3 more newborn bunnies. Again, had to move them. Not sure where they disappeared to.

Edit…Mama rabbit chewed through several hay nets, as well as shredded several Rambo blankets.

Today, looks like mama rabbit jumped into my beet pulp in the same grooming stall. Pooped in there, also pooped in a bucket containing a bit of water. First time I’ve seen rabbit poop in or around my barn.

I’m thinking of live trapping her and moving her. She is way too comfortable in my barn and in civilization. Any advice here?

(My barn is super clean, has concrete aisle with mats, stalls with mats, sand paddocks, and gravel all around the barn. There is a cut bank/hill that is about 20 feet tall, fence on top, blackberries, and dense forest where the wild rabbits live. Few months ago I saw the first wild rabbit ever in 14 years near my front gate.)

[msj]

You might hope that Misty Blue sees your post and responds. If I remember correctly, she will probably tell you that it’s not a good idea to relocate the rabbit as it will be in an area very strange and will not know the predators or safe places to hide and eat. You really aren’t doing said bunny a favor by relocating it and unfortunately offering it a potentially deadly location.

Right now I have the same problem with a gopher/groundhog that has decided that my barn and indoor are a super place to move into and really dig up. Initially I was going to try to trap the gopher and kill it but have decided on another plan that gives the gopher a chance to move elsewhere and live a long life. I’ve ordered some coyote urine to spray the entire exterior of the barn after I’ve covered up the holes and hope that said gopher will leave and go bother someplace else. I’m in a fairly rural area so there are plenty of hedgerows and fields for it to move into and adopt as a new home and live happily ever after.

If your interested in trying the predator urine trick, you can find plenty of it at www.thepeemart.com and www.predatorpee.com websites.

[Color_of_Light]

Just edited my OP.

Misty Blue would expect me to leave the rabbit in my barn, while it keeps destroying things and making a mess? Rabbits actually do multiply like rabbits, you know. To me, when animals start destroying things (rabbit shredded Rambo horse blankets and expensive small hole hay nets), defecating all over my supplies (hay and clean shavings (a neighbors cat(2) used my shavings pile (mix of pellets and shavings) as a giant litter box…I don’t have cats), this is a big problem.

Thanks, but are you really sure you want to spread coyote urine all over your barn? If you have dogs or cats, they will be afraid to go into your barn.

I can’t imagine spreading coyote urine all over my lovely barn just to save a gopher. My little 12 lb dog (who was just attacked by a coyote two days ago…he was snoozing on my house doorstep with my front door open, while I was inside…I intercepted the coyote chasing my dog into my house!! Coyote was less than 10’ from me. My dog is fine. Has several lacerations.) would never want to come into my barn again, nor would any other dog. My dog is having a hard enough time walking off my porch and touching the concrete where the coyote feet touched just to go potty. :no:

[msj]

Well, I didn’t mention as it’s not important that my barn is empty. Lost my last horse 2 yrs ago. Only things in the barn are mowers and equipment.

Also, I do believe in live and let live if I can, I do try. :yes:

But that said, when I did have horses, one year a family of fox decided to move in. First they tried to dig a den in my back pasture. Just great of them to put horse leg breaking holes there! :eek: Initially tried Great Dane dog urine. Didn’t seem to do anything. Then I did try the coyote urine. Got rid of all but one very sly persistent prick of a fox. Said little prick crapped everywhere including my front porch. While I wasn’t pleased about that, when it started to play hide and seek with my lame dog I got very pissed. Made lame dog lamer. :mad:

The bow hunter whom I gave permission to shoot deer finally got him and I was thrilled to say the least. :yes:

What I will say is that except when I was actually spraying the coyote urine, I never noticed any offensive odor but human olfactory senses are not as great as animals and the fact that 4 of the 5 foxes left showed me that it did help.

I gave you one suggestion. You can go ahead and use any sort of deterrent you wish.

But if I were you, I wouldn’t knock something until you’ve tried it! :yes:

Editted to add that my dog rarely comes to the barn. He sticks as close to the house as possible! :lol:

[trubandloki]

I think the point that is being made (that you are missing) is that it is probably more humane to actually kill the rabbit yourself than snatch it and relocate it to somewhere that it is likely to be dead sooner than later and in not so humane of a way.

[Pocket_Pony]

If you want them gone and not coming back, I think the kindest thing to do in the long run would be to permanently dispatch them (meaning, kill). I think that displacing wild animals makes us feel better but is just as much a death sentence and/or an unkindness as killing them is.

When we first moved here, we noticed some holes at the base of trees in the pastures - BIG holes. We have these thing called rock chucks (yellow-bellied marmots) that are big ground squirrels. At first I thought we could live and let live, but they dig big holes and multiply. Mr. PoPo decided this spring that he would shoot them and it has worked well for us. Do I relish the thought of shooting an animal? Nope. But I also am not interested in losing a horse or having an injury because of stepping into one of their holes.

Likewise there is a badger lurking about somewhere across the street on the BLM. If he makes it to our property he will also be quickly dispatched.

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=trubandloki;8715621]
I think the point that is being made (that you are missing) is that it is probably more humane to actually kill the rabbit yourself than snatch it and relocate it to somewhere that it is likely to be dead sooner than later and in not so humane of a way.[/QUOTE]

Okay…so what exactly is the solution to keep this rabbit out of my barn? You did not include that in your response.

Coyote urine is not an option, as noted (in case you missed that part).

[trubandloki]

@Color of Light;8715684

Okay…so what exactly is the solution to keep this rabbit out of my barn? You did not include that in your response.

I did include that, just not in so many words. Humanely dispatch it.

Other than that I suggest you send MistyBlue a private message and ask her opinion. She knows all that stuff.

[cloudyandcallie]

If I couldn’t keep the rabbit, I would take it and the baby bunnies to the vet to be Euth-ed. Rabbits are prey animals. They get killed just about everywhere. So moving them will increase the chances that they will be killed.

So catch the mother bunny and take her and her baby bunnies to vet. My vets always Euth wild animals free for me.

I had some Rambo blankets that got chewed by mice at one barn. I found a woman who repairs blankets and she did a wonderful job repairing them.

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8715628]
If you want them gone and not coming back, I think the kindest thing to do in the long run would be to permanently dispatch them (meaning, kill). I think that displacing wild animals makes us feel better but is just as much a death sentence and/or an unkindness as killing them is.

When we first moved here, we noticed some holes at the base of trees in the pastures - BIG holes. We have these thing called rock chucks (yellow-bellied marmots) that are big ground squirrels. At first I thought we could live and let live, but they dig big holes and multiply. Mr. PoPo decided this spring that he would shoot them and it has worked well for us. Do I relish the thought of shooting an animal? Nope. But I also am not interested in losing a horse or having an injury because of stepping into one of their holes.

Likewise there is a badger lurking about somewhere across the street on the BLM. If he makes it to our property he will also be quickly dispatched.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. I really don’t want to kill it. Not sure how I’d accomplish that. :no: If possible, I would rather give her a chance elsewhere, where there is a chance she might survive. Need to research to see if other options.

I try to save lives when I can. I recently stopped in at the fire department (country fire department who was not busy at the time and were happy to attempt an animal rescue) to ask them to help me get two baby chipmunks (was not sure what they were until retrieved) stuck in the wall of a wash stall. They were crying for help, had their poor little tails sticking out, and their little paws were reaching out. Unfortunately, they were too far gone by the time they were extracted from the wall. Filled in the gap they’d gone into with non expanding foam.

Pocket Pony, I agree about minimizing property damage and horse injuries.

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=trubandloki;8715696]
I did include that, just not in so many words. Humanely dispatch it.

Other than that I suggest you send MistyBlue a private message and ask her opinion. She knows all that stuff.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. I’ll contact a vet to see if they will euth. I’ll also contact Misty Blue to see if she has additional ideas. Thank you.

[MistyBlue]

Hi, I heard someone might have a question.

Sticky situation, but you can convince a rabbit to relocate. Easier on you and the rabbit to convince them that moving was their idea.

If you have a good idea of where the nest is located, get a radio and place it as close as possible to that location and keep it turned on. Talk radio seems to work better than music, but music can work also. The trick is to not have it cranked up too loud or Momma might abandon her babes. And not so soft that it doesn’t worry the rabbit.
Also, every time you walk into the area, thumb on something a bunch of times on and off. (A wood wall, the floor…anything that will make a dull thudding noise) Rabbits are hard wired to be afraid when they hear that, they thump to warn others of danger. Better still if you can make a recording of yourself making thudding noises and then play that on a loop. Rabbits will figure this is just a predator-laden area.

If you can get your hands on cat or dog urine, that will also work sprayed or applied nearby. Rabbits are basically on every predator’s menu. pet urine won’t scare off other things like coons or possums or animals like that, but it can work on rabbits. And it’s easier to get hold of than coyote urine. Or if there’s a guy around, his urine may work. (don’t let him pee on your hay :P)

Smells that rabbits hate: Chili powder, garlic powder, tabasco, cayenne pepper. To make these last, mix in an oil and swipe around where you want them to leave. With noise, urine or scents like the powders, make sure to not make a ring around where they are/you want them to leave since you want them to have an “out” path.

Momma won’t like the smells, the noise, etc and will relocate her babies elsewhere. If you know exactly where the babies are, just messing up around the actual nest can cause her to move them to a safer area. Moving bales, making the area more exposed can make her worry about their safety and move them.

Just be aware that if she decides to move them, she will NOT do it during daylight or when there’s activity around. They’re very secretive, so she’ll pick a quiet, darker time and move them one by one. Might take her a couple days to find the right new location and move all the babies.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[IPEsq]

Where are you located? Here, there are pretty strict laws about all kinds of wildlife. You can get them relocated but would have to hire certain licensed companies to trap and relocate for you. There are also restrictions as to whether or not you can kill them or if you must trap/relocate. Pretty much everything other than bugs and mice/rats are protected. If there’s an active nest with babies, you may also not be able to do it but would have to wait.

[Gamma]

Since you already have a small dog, you might be able to discourage them by getting dog smell all over your barn. Like, really thoroughly have your dog get into every nook and cranny about once a week. Cat would be better, because a cat would also catch some of them, but…

Also, box up as many blankets and other cloth goods as possible, in real (thick-sided) containers. Good advice for everyone who doesn’t like mouse-poo on their blankets anyway! You can fit an awful lot of blankets in a job box, and it will take rodents a really long time to chew through it, enough time that they will move on to something else.

[Pocket_Pony]

@MistyBlue;8716241

Or if there’s a guy around, his urine may work. (don’t let him pee on your hay :P)

So peeing in my indoor arena at the edge of where it meets my barn is actually keeping some critters away? Good to know! :lol:

OP, you don’t need a boy for this part - drop your drawers and let it flow! :lol:

[Daisyrae]

It can be very difficult to live trap a rabbit. You end up attracting other animals to your barn, and usually once/if the rabbit gets trapped, they get so scared they injure themselves in the trap. I had one (trapped by someone, I was an ACO) try so hard to get out of the trap it just repeatedly ran itself into the sides of the cage and ended up splitting its head nearly open and breaking a foot (got caught in the wire).

[csaper58]

Dear OP, Regarding your original post…

This behavior does not sound rabbit ish, it sounds rat ish. Especially the black fur.

[Color_of_Light]

Hi All. Thank you for the great ideas and comments. Give me a second and I’ll respond.

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=MistyBlue;8716241]
Hi, I heard someone might have a question.

Sticky situation, but you can convince a rabbit to relocate. Easier on you and the rabbit to convince them that moving was their idea.

If you have a good idea of where the nest is located, get a radio and place it as close as possible to that location and keep it turned on. Talk radio seems to work better than music, but music can work also. The trick is to not have it cranked up too loud or Momma might abandon her babes. And not so soft that it doesn’t worry the rabbit.
Also, every time you walk into the area, thumb on something a bunch of times on and off. (A wood wall, the floor…anything that will make a dull thudding noise) Rabbits are hard wired to be afraid when they hear that, they thump to warn others of danger. Better still if you can make a recording of yourself making thudding noises and then play that on a loop. Rabbits will figure this is just a predator-laden area.

If you can get your hands on cat or dog urine, that will also work sprayed or applied nearby. Rabbits are basically on every predator’s menu. pet urine won’t scare off other things like coons or possums or animals like that, but it can work on rabbits. And it’s easier to get hold of than coyote urine. Or if there’s a guy around, his urine may work. (don’t let him pee on your hay :P)

Smells that rabbits hate: Chili powder, garlic powder, tabasco, cayenne pepper. To make these last, mix in an oil and swipe around where you want them to leave. With noise, urine or scents like the powders, make sure to not make a ring around where they are/you want them to leave since you want them to have an “out” path.

Momma won’t like the smells, the noise, etc and will relocate her babies elsewhere. If you know exactly where the babies are, just messing up around the actual nest can cause her to move them to a safer area. Moving bales, making the area more exposed can make her worry about their safety and move them.

Just be aware that if she decides to move them, she will NOT do it during daylight or when there’s activity around. They’re very secretive, so she’ll pick a quiet, darker time and move them one by one. Might take her a couple days to find the right new location and move all the babies.

Hope this helps! Good luck![/QUOTE]

MistyBlue, you are an impressive wild rabbit guru! This rabbit is giving birth in my barn, leaving the babies behind, then taking off into the woods during the day. My stalls open to 20’ paddocks, then there is a steep 20’ dirt bank, topped by a mesh fence, thick black berries, then trees. I’ve seen some holes at the top of the bank. Not sure which critter they belong to. There no obvious holes in the gravel around my indoor and barn.

Might be easier to get a hold of some man urine over dog urine. My little dog is male, is neutered, so doesn’t pee a lot. My barn won’t smell like the barn, but will smell like…the men’s bathroom? :o

I don’t have any loose hay around the barn uncontained. A few hanging horse blankets happened to be big enough that when hanging they touched the ground. I had no choice to move the bunnies. They would have been stepped on.

thank you for all the great information!

[Color_of_Light]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8716275]
Where are you located? Here, there are pretty strict laws about all kinds of wildlife. You can get them relocated but would have to hire certain licensed companies to trap and relocate for you. There are also restrictions as to whether or not you can kill them or if you must trap/relocate. Pretty much everything other than bugs and mice/rats are protected. If there’s an active nest with babies, you may also not be able to do it but would have to wait.[/QUOTE]

Funny and coincidental. The coyote trapper came yesterday. He told me it’s against the law to move animals. What he meant was…move animals to new location off property. A home owner can move an animal from one location on their property to another legally. In my case, the corner where problem mama is located is about 10,000 feet from the farthest corner of my property. Coyote trapper said he didn’t know anything about trapping rabbits.