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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to take a machine gun to the bunnies

56 replies

Litchick · 24/04/2009 20:13

We live in the country and are over run with the little feckers. As I sit here I can see at least ten feasting away in my back garden. There is rabbit shit everywhere. The lawn is like the surface of the moon.
Suggestions anyone. We have always been against guns but am beginning to wonder if it is the only way.

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 24/04/2009 22:50

Is there anyone who would be willing to take some of the rabbit? I hate the thought of it being wasted.

GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 22:50

Skin and freeze them or give them to your neighbours.
Yes, take out the pigeons too. And rats.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:54

Well I'd certainly ask if anyone wanted any...but am wondering if everyone round here is already getting rid which is why they are all bob-tailing onto our land.

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 22:56

You could sell them to the local butcher or restaurants.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:57

As someone who has never even held a gun do I need lessons or do I just point and take aim?
Would the shop tell me about safety etc?

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 24/04/2009 22:57

No please learn how so you can make a humane kill.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 22:59

Thjat's a very fair point, Thunder. If I just maimed one I'd never be able to ring its neck or whatever. There is a shooting place near us (mostly clay) and I'm sure they could teach me.

OP posts:
themoon66 · 24/04/2009 22:59

DH is desperate for this little nuking device.

I'm worried it will bring the house down!

Thunderduck · 24/04/2009 23:01

They or a local shooter should be able to teach you in just a few hours. The rabbits deserve a humane death.

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 23:02

fuck a duck, Moon, that might collapse our foundations!!!

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 24/04/2009 23:02

Practice with a tin can on a fence - you might have to adjust the sight thingy to get the right shot for you but it is a little dial.
The gun does not make a noise, just a 'thwack' and aim at the head. Just point and aim.
Break the rifle open to reload and fire off the gun when you have finished then store it safely with the barrel 'broken' or left slightly open.

ilovesprouts · 24/04/2009 23:06

poor bunnies

Original poster
Litchick · 24/04/2009 23:09

I know sprouts but what else to do? They are breeding and breeding at an enormous rate and ruining the gardens. Literally every inch of lawn and path and patio is covered in rabbit shit. They have chewed under the drive and ruined it - it will cost thousands to fix. The outside lights don't work becuase they've chewed the wires...

OP posts:
ABetaDad · 24/04/2009 23:14

Yes do practice. A Humane kill is best.

GentleOtter is a farm girl and gives wise advice.

TheMoon66 - that is cool. My Dad used to put Magnesium Cyanide down the holes which when it gets damp releases cyanide gas. Not sure it is legal now.

ilovesprouts · 24/04/2009 23:49

i know that just love bunnies lol

GentleOtter · 25/04/2009 00:00

Thanks ABetaDad.
There was a problem obtaining cyanide gas a few years back but I think you can get Phostoxin now which is similar. There has been a huge increase in the mole population so people are trying that and using the Rodenator.

Pracise your shooting - you can get paper targets from the gun shop which don't cost much. A good shot kills the rabbit/rat/pigeon instantly - put any thoughts of cuteness aside as they are vermin who spread disease and cause a lot of damage to your garden. I have known people to break an ankle too by twisting their feet in a rabbit hole.

Please let us know how you get on and good luck.

themoon66 · 25/04/2009 00:13

Gentleotter - have you seen the rodinator in action? Could i use it fairly close to the house do you think?

I have major rat troubles.

GentleOtter · 25/04/2009 00:25

I sympathise, themoon66 as we had a wicked problem with rats this week.
We were shown a video of Rodenator at an NFU meeting and they were deciding (with the RSPCA) if it was humane - they must have thought it was if it is now for sale.
They puff a gas through the runs then the gas is ignited with a hell of a bang. I don't think you could use it close to your hose as the rats may have tunneled underneath the house.

Tracking powder is good. You put flour down outside to see where their runs are then get a long narrow pipe (so cats can't get in), put a teaspoonful in the middle of the pipe and the rats get it on their fur then groom each other.
We use this plus Sorexa Gold poison which is put down the holes. Any rats seen in daytime get shot (6 this week and only one to get).

You could ask the company who sell Rodenator to advise or give a free demonstration.

GentleOtter · 25/04/2009 00:27

'house' not hose.

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 25/04/2009 08:05

I can lend you my dh with his gun or my dog who is adept at catching them.

sarah293 · 25/04/2009 08:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ABetaDad · 25/04/2009 08:40

GentleOtter - I recall you live on an arable farm. That is quite a rat problem. You mentione dlast week you were worried about them coming in the house.

Do you know where they are feeding and breeding? Potato and grain stores of course are prime rat territory.

My Dad had a rat problem until he imported a whole litter of cats. They sort of went feral on us but the rats sure disappeared.

Original poster
Litchick · 25/04/2009 09:08

Riven - I don't want to injure and leave animals but I do think this is problem I'm going to have to fix myself. We live adjacent to acres of farming land - stunning aspect but bunny heaven. They will always burrow their way to us - though am going to try chicken wire too.
We did have a beautiful vixen mooching about who had a cub just at the far end of the land. But we found her dead one day - poison I suspect - which is why I'm not keen. Although I accept absolutely that to chicken keepers foxes are no joke - they have half inched three of my friends chickens and some sort of hawk had their quail.
Tis easier in the town sigh.

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 25/04/2009 10:19

ABetaDad - yes we are on a mixed arable farm and although we control the rats with a pest controller, the neighbouring farmer does not. The problem is coming from his sheds and outbuildings.
Our own farmhouse is in such a state of collapse that it has been deemed substandard so we had to rent the neighbouring farmhouse to live in while we fight the landowner to mend our house.
There has been a lot of trouble with this farmer including his storing of 10,000 tons of human waste beside our house plus he dumps potatoes, rotten turnips, anything he gets for free etc just behind our house on 'his' bit. He has a short memory too when it comes to lifting carcasses ...
He is very unreasonable, aggressive and is perhaps not the brightest of people so discussing the vermin problem falls on deaf ears.
We are preparing to leave soon and live in a caravan on our own farm but it is a case of getting organised whilst doing the spring work and the million other things that need done.

SimpleAsABC · 25/04/2009 10:28

Gentle otter, that sounds disgusting!

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