Problems with large animals

[davee52uk]

We are having increasing problems with large animals eating our crops:

1. Muntjack deer - these live on the allotments and eat the tops of young plants; especially french and runner beans. I believe they are protected species. Any ideas how to safeguard crops. They are very small deer, about the size of a dog.

2. Badgers - again a growing problem and seemingly unstoppable. They dig up crops, particularly growing in good compost, to look for worms. They also play havoc with paths by digging loads of holes. I don't think much can be done about this.

3. Rabbits - remove cabbage plants completely - it's as if you never planted them out. I think low netting deters these but would welcome further suggestions.


....... and we haven't got onto slugs, pigeons or thieves yet!

[davee52uk]

[Tin Shed]

Poor you - and I thought I had problems with foxes, pigeons and slugs!  Where is your allotment site - it must be great to watch them, but not when they are eating your plants!

[davee52uk]

The allotments are on the outskirts of Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. The deer are wild in the local countryside and I have even seen them running round parks in the town.

I saw one on my allotment early in the morning - it looked like a brown dog.

Badgers are everywhere, they are protected, unless they come into contcat with cows and are very difficult to remove. If you put a rabbit-proof fence up they will either dig under it or just push it over.

Rabbits are again everywhere. I see loads on the way to work even sitting or platforms of railway stations watching the trains. These most certainly can, and should be caught and eaten.

[cacran]

Oh have just posted a new topic about my rabbit problem.
I have a baby one on my plot and it did the same to my cabbage and caulies, just as though they'd never been planted.  Any ideas for organic deterent?????