Rabbits

Andrew,

The numbers are increasing due to them watching TV and seeing China has built a big wall to keep them out. The marvels of modern technology, in years gone by they never would have known :))

Cheers Kev

I was once standing on the Great Wall at Badaling and who comes up?
A bloke with a 22 and a couple of rabbits over his shoulder.
Regards Philip A

Andrew,

They probably are Chinese rabbits - we get everything else from China - why not rabbits?!?!?!

yep ive noticed it They are saying the unplanned release of calci has reduced its effectiveness as it was meant to be along with other measures in a coordinated effort.
hardly plauge prportions yet but if you remember your biology relating to a sexual vx sexual reproduction and short generation spans i guess it is a matter of time

G'day Andrew
I posted on this subject about this time last year. I hope the CSIRO mob have another rabbit nastie in preparation, Rabbits plus the big dry. There won't be much left. If you are back from the bike challenge, give me a call.

What i have noticed is that they are very seasonal. I notice a increase in winter and spring and then decline in early summer. But not a increase in total numbers.

Although i use different methods to control them especially after my paved verandah collapsed one year. I reckon the calicivirus is keeping some control on them.

The other thing since the calicivirus went through is that they appear not to leave droppings around their burrows any more.

Andrew: Here in Mittagong there's rabbits galore. Our intrepid hunter Lilly, a Tenterfield Terrier, does her best on our 1 1/4 acres but the b*ggers separate when she's on the chase and she doesn't know which one to go for!!

BTW rabbits for eating are up to $32/head in Sydney butcher shops

By the way the meat rabbit industy in China was destroyed a few years ago by calicivirus. They used ot export heaps to Europe.
Re meat price.
Unfortunately rabbit growers have to get at least $10 a kilo to break even.
A friend and colleague did a study for NSW DSRD( State and Regional Development). Its really so expensive to grow them that theycan never compete with chicken for cost, so are destined to remain a gourmet item.
And back then food was cheap. i bet its twice the cost now.
Regards Philip A

Gday,
When they let calicivirus go in the centre it pretty well wiped them out, only problem was the flea used to carry the virus doesent like the dry heat and has all but died off, might be time for another dose.
Ist a shiitt load better than fostoxin.
Cheers
Hairy

I heard that the old rabbit killer, 'myxo' is still doing the rounds ok on bunnies but that it's effectiveness was increased after rain periods or it's spread rather.

With bugger all rain about this may have let the rabbits fight back a little?