Will Rabbits feed on stubble

[Steveclark 9]

Hi.

Just wanted to ask a quick question, as last night I had a quick look round on a bit of permission that was full of rabbits back in March.

The weather conditions weren't the best for lamping, with the moon out most of the time, but there was a bit of wind.

I just couldn't believe the lack of rabbits! The few that were out were sat close to the hedge.

This is nothing like last season. When i acquired this permission the fields had already been planted and rabbits were sat out in the middle of the field, sometimes up to 50 at a time. Last night i saw about 4 or 5 in the same area.

 

This leads onto my question, whether rabbits feed on the stubble after the wheat fields have been cut or do they look elsewhere for food, like the very dense and grassy banks and hedgerows of the field. Also in a field full of nicely grazed grass that had horses on it there were a good number of rabbits, which made me think the rabbits aren't very interested in the stubble because of lack of nutritional value etc...

 

Should I be waiting til the fields are planted again? Doesn't this usually happen in Sept?

 

As you can probably tell I'm new to the lurcher world and this is my 2nd season with my 3 yr old bitch so any comments would be great.

 

Cheers

Steve

[Chid 6,583]

depends on what food is about ...seen plenty of rabbits on some stubble fields and it also depends on how the field was sown a friend only grows barley and only one crop so when thats sown he also sows grass at the same time , once barleys cut he can then use it straight away as grazing till march time when its re sown

alot of stubble fields near me soon as they cut there ploughed and resown with winter crops within days

[Millet 4,497]

Wait till the green stuff start's growing in the field's and the hedge's start dieing off..they will start to venture out into the field's when the food closer to home is in short supply.

[birddog 1,354]

Wait till the green stuff start's growing in the field's and the hedge's start dieing off..they will start to venture out into the field's when the food closer to home is in short supply.

exactly, just don't spook them and make them wary of the lamp too early

[Steveclark 9]

Thanks for the replys and the info lads.

Generic question but when roughly does the 'green stuff' start growing? Think this farmer mainly grows wheat and rape seed.

I'm keen to get out but don't want to ruin things for the rest of the season.

 

Steve

[Millet 4,497]

It will be roughly after a month of been sown..but the grass and weed's and spilt corn from the combine will start to grow in the stubble if the field is set aside..

[paulus 26]

go into the field and make a noise like a carrot, pulls them out every time, "whats up doc"

[Mick C. 229]

Try the next field , rougher the weather the better and go later.

 

They got to get there grub somwhere

[Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin]

TBH stubble is a nightmare unless it is blowing a gale ever footstep casues crackling rabbits will feed on the grain if there enough gone over the back of the combine.

I think the vey best time is after discing or drilling roughly sept time

 

ATB Cookie

[Steveclark 9]

Thanks again guys - think I'm gonna leave it til the end of sept before I go out again - hopefully we'll have this years summer weather back by then - wind & rain. lol.

good luck with yer seasons.

 

Steve