Reproduction:
Female rabbits reach reproductive condition at 3 ½ months, slightly earlier than males (4 months.) Females are able to reproduce at about 850gm (2lb) live weight, with a typical gestation period of about 28-30 days. Adult males come into breeding condition a month or so before the does in any season. The breeding season begins in January, reaches its peak in May and ends in late summer. A high proportion of pregnant does can be found in this period, often as high as 95%. Sporadic breeding, estimated at 6% of all does, occurs throughout the remainder of the year. In high-density populations only 40 - 45% of conceived litters may be born, the remaining 60% dying prematurely.

Control:
The increasing rabbit population means increasing rabbit damage. Therefore, the application of cost-effective rabbit control strategies is necessary. Any strategy should employ control techniques which reduce rabbit populations through increased mortality combined with physical techniques which manage rabbit movement and protect vulnerable areas.

A number of techniques are available to reduce rabbit populations. These include the use of spring traps, live capture traps, ferrets, long nets, snares, shooting and gassing.

For more information contact Sorex: