Protecting a garden or yard from foraging rabbits requires a physical barrier that accounts for their jumping ability and strong instinct to dig. A successful rabbit fence must be constructed carefully both above and below the ground to act as an exclusion zone. The barrier must be continuous, secured firmly, and made from materials rabbits cannot easily chew through or slip between.
Determining the Necessary Vertical Height
The primary concern for above-ground fencing is preventing common rabbit species, such as the Eastern Cottontail, from hopping over the barrier. Wild rabbits are agile, but they avoid attempting a jump if the height requires significant effort. For most common North American species, a fence standing at least 24 inches (two feet) above the soil line is sufficient to discourage leaping.
Jackrabbits, which are larger and possess greater athletic capabilities, may necessitate a taller fence, potentially up to 36 inches (three feet) high for complete exclusion. Terrain conditions also influence the required height; a fence installed on a downhill slope should be slightly taller to maintain the 24-inch minimum across the entire barrier. In regions with heavy snow accumulation, the fence height must be measured from the anticipated top of the snowpack, otherwise, the snow can create a ramp for rabbits to walk right over the barrier.
Securing the Base Against Burrowing
Height alone will not create a rabbit-proof barrier because rabbits are adept burrowers and will attempt to dig directly under a vertical fence. The fence material must extend into the ground to address this behavior, ideally between 6 and 12 inches deep. Simply burying the fence straight down is insufficient because a determined rabbit will dig alongside the vertical wire until they pass the bottom edge.
The most effective method involves creating an “L-bend” or apron at the base of the fence, extending the wire horizontally outward. This technique requires bending the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the fence material at a 90-degree angle, pointing away from the protected area. When a rabbit begins to dig next to the fence line, their downward progress is quickly met by the horizontal wire apron, which blocks their path. This buried apron should be secured with landscape staples or covered with soil and turf to discourage further digging attempts.
Choosing the Right Mesh and Material
The effectiveness of a rabbit fence relies on the material specifications, specifically the size of the mesh openings. Juvenile rabbits can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces, so the mesh size should not exceed one inch. Mesh with half-inch to one-inch hexagonal or square openings, often referred to as hardware cloth or woven wire fencing, is recommended over standard chicken wire.
Wire gauge, which measures the thickness and strength of the wire, is an important factor for durability. A 14- to 16-gauge wire provides a good balance of strength to resist chewing and longevity, particularly for the buried portion. Because the fence material will be in constant contact with soil and moisture, it must be protected against corrosion. Choosing wire that is heavily galvanized or vinyl-coated is necessary to prevent premature rust and deterioration, which would compromise the integrity of the underground barrier.