Instructions and Plans to Build a Rabbit Fence
A rabbit fence, a fence designed to keep rabbits out of gardens or other areas, requires a little planning and effort. Effective rabbit fences block off all access by leaving not even small gaps or spaces in the wire fence or around gates or posts. The fence should also extend below ground to confound the digging rabbits out there. The project is labor intensive but falls within the ability of most property owners. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stakes
- Carpenter's string
- Fence posts
- Post-hole auger
- Mesh wire
- Fence stretcher
- Fencing staples
- 2-by-4-inch lumber
- 4-inch strap hinges
- Gate latch
Instructions
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Planning the Fence
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1
Determine the corners of the fence project. Place a stake at each corner and stretch carpenter's string from post to post to show the perimeter of the fence.
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2
Place stakes every 8 feet around the perimeter of the fence to mark the post locations.
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3
Determine the gate location. Place a stake for each side of the gate to mark the gate posts. Allow for a wide enough gate to allow garden equipment, tillers, mowers or other tools to pass through.
Building the Fence
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4
Dig the fence post holes with a post-hole auger. Rabbit fences are not commonly very tall and don't need to stand the strain of large animals such as horses or cattle leaning against them. Dig holes about 2 feet deep.
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5
Set the posts by placing them in the hole. Tamp soil around the post while holding the post vertically straight.
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6
Dig a trench about 1 foot deep from post to post. This allows the wire to be buried to stop rabbits from accessing the garden by digging under the fence.
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7
Stretch the mesh wire starting at one of the corners. Use wire mesh fencing with openings no larger than 2 inches square. Rabbit fences don't need to be high. A 3-foot-wide mesh fence will create a 2-foot-high fence with 1 foot buried. This is adequate for even the most ambitious rabbits.
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8
Nail the mesh wire to one of the corners. Lay the fence along the posts to the next corner. Use a fence stretcher at the next corner post to pull the mesh wire tight. Nail the wire mesh to each fence post with fencing staples. Repeat the process for each section of fence. Build a gate frame of 2-by-4-inch lumber. Custom size the gate to fit closely to the gate posts. Using fencing staples to attach the wire mesh to the wood frame. Attach the gate to one of the gate posts with 4-inch strap hinges and mount the gate latch between the gate and post on the other post. The gate must rest on the ground to prevent rabbits from crawling under the gate.
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Tips & Warnings
While a 2-foot tall fence is adequate for rabbits, the builder may want a taller fence if deer are occasionally a problem.
