The Hidden Cost: How Rabbits Are Damaging Devon’s Farms
In the lush, productive countryside of Devon, a quiet threat is tunneling beneath the surface — wild rabbits.While often associated with pastoral charm, these animals are causing serious harm to farmland and rural estates throughout the South West. For farmers and landowners, the effects aren’t just cosmetic — they’re financial, structural, and persistent.
At Heritage Rabbit Management, we provide professional, humane rabbit control tailored for Devon’s landscapes. In this post, we explore the real cost of rabbit infestations on agricultural land — and what can be done to stop it.
Why Are Rabbits a Problem for Devon’s Farmland?
Devon’s mild climate and patchwork of fields, hedgerows, and woodland edges make it a perfect habitat for rabbits. Even a small population can lead to extensive damage in a short period of time. Some of the most common issues include:
Crop destruction
Pasture loss and reduced feed availability
Structural damage from burrowing
Increased risk to livestock and farm vehicles
Compromised fencing and drainage infrastructure
Each rabbit consumes approximately half a kilogram of vegetation per day. Multiply that by a breeding population, and you’re looking at significant and ongoing losses.
Grazing Pressure on Crops and Pasture
Rabbits feed intensively and repeatedly, which can severely impact both crop fields and grazing land. On Devon farms, this means losses in:
Cereals such as wheat, barley, and oats
Silage crops and young grasses
Root vegetables like carrots, beet, and parsnip
Orchard saplings and newly planted trees
Rabbits tend to graze close to the ground, stunting re-growth and leaving exposed soil vulnerable to erosion. This pressure leads to:
Lower crop yields
Delayed replanting cycles
Patchy pasture unsuitable for livestock
Increased need for reseeding and weed control
Burrowing and Infrastructure Damage
Beyond what they eat, rabbits cause major problems with what they dig. Their complex warren systems weaken the soil structure, creating dangerous conditions across farmland.
Common issues include:
Collapsed ditches and field edges
Undermined fence posts, gates, and stiles
Hazards for livestock (especially horses and cattle)
Damage to farm machinery from hidden burrows
Burrows can spread quickly through banks, verges, and under buildings. If left unchecked, they compromise both safety and structural integrity across the farm.
Risks to Livestock and Operations
On livestock farms, rabbit activity creates uneven terrain and shallow holes, putting animals at risk of injury. Horses and cattle, in particular, are vulnerable to:
Tripping or leg injuries from hidden burrows
Reduced grazing quality due to overgrazed patches
Disturbed fencing, increasing the risk of escapes
Additionally, damaged land makes moving and operating farm vehicles more dangerous and time-consuming.
The Long-Term Cost of Inaction
Unchecked, rabbit populations grow rapidly. A small issue one season can become a major infestation the next. The cumulative cost of crop loss, reseeding, fencing repairs, and livestock injuries can climb into the thousands of pounds per year.
Moreover, the visual damage to land can reduce its value and deter future investment in conservation or diversification projects.
Our Rabbit Control Solutions in Devon
At Heritage Rabbit Management, we provide targeted, humane rabbit control for farms and estates across Devon. Our approach is proactive, professional, and tailored to your land.
We offer:
Population surveys and pellet count monitoring
Targeted shooting and trapping
Burrow disruption and habitat management
Perimeter rabbit fencing and long-term planning
Advice on prevention and land maintenance
Our team works discreetly and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily operations.
Serving Devon’s Farming Communities
We proudly support landowners across the county, including:
East Devon & South Hams
Tiverton, Barnstaple & Crediton
Dartmoor edge and uplands
Rural estates and conservation sites
Whether you run a smallholding or a large-scale commercial farm, we can help you protect your assets and restore balance to the land.
Take Back Control of Your Land
If you’re seeing signs of rabbit activity — grazed crops, new burrows, damaged fencing — don’t ignore it. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term damage.
Contact Heritage Rabbit Management today for a free consultation and tailored control plan. We’re here to help you protect your land, your livelihood, and your future.
Heritage Rabbit Management – Devon’s specialist rabbit control service.