THE URBAN FOX
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Urban foxes are used to people and are not put off by owners being nearby. Many of their attacks happen during daylight hours.When you are rabbit proofing your bunnies housing you should consider security from the point of view of something trying to get in as well as preventing your rabbit escaping. A fox can easily clear a six foot garden fence or wall. They are also excellent diggers and will tunnel into a rabbit run or under a fence to enter a garden. They have powerful jaws and will gnaw through chicken wire and plywood hutches in order to get at 'dinner'
Making Out Door Accommodation More Secure
Here are some changes you can make to help security: A secure run is the best way of giving an outdoor rabbit exercise. It should have both a lid (secured in a way and heavy enough to stop a fox entering) and, if on grass, something to stop a fox digging in or the rabbit digging out. Use weld mesh instead of chicken wire as this is stronger because it is welded at each joint rather than being twisted together. Replace wooden catches on hutches with secure metal bolts. Wooden twist catches will easily open when a fox scratches at them. Ensure that mesh is firmly attached to the frame. Many mass produced hutches/runs are rather flimsy when it comes to keeping the strong jaws of a fox out (alarming but true) many are put together with staples that don’t go very deep into the wood , you can reinforce these with U-Shaped nails. Check for small gaps that a fox can chew at and enlarge , but if you have the know how then build the hutch/run yourself because the materials you use will be stronger and heavier than the mass produced varities that offer littel or no resistance to a hungry fox.
If you are aware of foxes in the area you could also:
Fit wooden shutters to the hutch and close them at night (remember to leave ventilation holes). The best alternative however would be to move the hutch into a shed or unused garage. Turn your rabbit into a house rabbit.
Remember Fox attacks happen very quickly! so importantly if you are aware of foxes in your area then never leave your rabbit unattened in the garden , unless they are in a secure enclosed fox proof run for their saftey! and your piece of mind!.
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/rabbit_foxes.asp
