Creating an Underground Rabbit Warren

[@laurenhigdon1989]

Rabbits are one of the most abused and neglected pets so it brings me so much joy to see someone take care of them 💓

[@HayleysComet3]

Exactly! It’s terrible how most are kept. I had a big area in my yard fenced for 2 rescued rabbits. I stuffed their houses with hay that were kept in a shed attached to their yard. The shed was full of hay also and that’s where they made their tunnels. They didn’t really use their houses but made their tunnels around them inside the shed.

[@l.dennard772]

If you're in the US, consider donating to your local rabbit rescue/welfare society. rabbit.org/

[@RogueCylon]

Why do you think he keeps them? Yum yum

[@SatyreIkon]

@@RogueCylon He talks about using them for manure, as lawnmowers and pets, not meat. Actually there'd be no harm in eating them too. As with all farm animals, the important thing is giving them at least a decent life. Industrialized animal farming's just awful. However, rabbit meat isn't tasty at all without a lot of good preparation, nor do you get much, and that being the case I think chickens or pigs are the better choice because the meat is tastier and you get more of it (and they've got other uses too, like pigs' basically eating anything 😋).

[@RogueCylon]

@@SatyreIkon thanks for teaching me English farming methods. Being from England, I had no idea.

[@33Jenesis]

One thing I have noticed by watching you for a couple of years is that you are looking happy and healthy now, compared to when you first started living there. You have more confidence and ease as a homesteader. Your rabbit warren looks so well planned. And the rabbits looking happy and healthy.

[@thekengray]

Yes, our Daniel is turning into a young British hunk and left the nerdy little guy of the Mossy Bottom 2018 first days.. Do you think he'll be doffing the jumper and flexing for the sponsorship? LOL.

[@heytheregeorgeygirl]

I think Daniel was probably always happy with his choices. He is a seasoned homesteader now, with several seasons under his belt and lots of experience on the job, but always learning! I think working the land, the way he does, must be one of the healthiest lifestyles you could choose, mentally and physically.

[@divukman]

Radagast must be visiting you often🧙‍♂️🙂

[@Thats_Mr_Random_Person_to_you]

A note on the rabbit 'homing' instinct, or lack or it. This is actually a benefit to them in the wild. As they are such prolific breeders (as prey animals on the bottom of the food chain that in itself is part of their survival tactics) in order to keep the gene pool as wide as possible they have an inbuilt desire to roam as far away as possible. Its purely an in-built wild instinct. Pet bunnies have only ever been bred for 'looks' not behaviour (think how dogs have been primarily bred for specific behaviours like guarding or hunting etc..) they still have all the same instincts as their wild brethren, so all you really need to do to understand bunny behaviour is to look at why they do that action in the wild. In the wild female's do all the warren digging, this is also why their claws grow faster than males.

[@MossyBottom]

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you. :)

[@Thats_Mr_Random_Person_to_you]

@@MossyBottom just to add your bunnies are soooooooooooo lucky to have you!!!

[@HannaBenana]

I would hesitate to say bunnies have "all the same instincts as their wild brethren". Domestic rabbits do not necessarily have the instincts required to thrive in a wild environment without human maintenance.

[@Thats_Mr_Random_Person_to_you]

@@HannaBenana that is true, but only purely do to being bred for a domesticated reason. I'm thinking more in terms of breeding behaviour, digging behaviour, chewing cords (which they are prolific at in house rabbits), why claws in females grow faster, why females are more dominant etc.. In no way would a domestic rabbit survive in the wild, but thats due to being obvious colours for predators and for things not taught by the mother (where food and water is, and the fact predators even exist in the first place.)

[@railway-share3820]

@@Thats_Mr_Random_Person_to_you You occasionally see black rabbits in the wild. I assume these are mutants of wild rabbits.

[@johngrider737]

My grandparents were farmers and would have such respect for what you are doing ... My grandparents ran their farm to be self-sufficient as much as possible, growing their own food and with every animal having a job/purpose. I was too young to appreciate and just remember spending lots of time weeding the gardens but also picking wild blackberries, catching dinner from the pond and thumbing through the latest Whole Earth Catalog or FoxFire edition (Appalachian heritage publication). Good times!

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

In my urban garden I created a safe enclosed spaced for pet rabbits to dig their own burrow. Dug down several feet and laid concrete slabs on the ‘floor’ and covered over with soil. The sides, roof and edges of the enclosure are constructed from fox proof wire. The now ( sadly single, pet rabbit, Irving the dream having created her own network of tunnels which she frequently remodels.

[@spacingoutforever]

I keep thinking about this for future generations who are interested in working to find sustainable means for agriculture that aren't harmful to the environment. The way we live now isn't sustainable, but rabbits are such a brilliant natural resource, they're more versatile than people think. This is so impressive - thank you.

[@caroles5258]

I think it's wonderful that you do this for the rabbits.

[@itsmewende]

You and your animals are truly inspiring. I expected Peter rabbit to pop his head up from somewhere in the garden any minute. You're such a caring guy to go to all the trouble you do to make life for everyone on your farm a wonderful one.

[@HSstriker]

Especially females loooove digging. We put some logs and stones etc so they have sturdy things to dig under. They'll build their own warren ;)

[@guineapigfarmer6064]

Great tip. I will use it in the enclosure that I'm building.

[@HSstriker]

@@guineapigfarmer6064 just make sure to place it in the center, that way they wont dig out of the enclosure ;)

[@reneedla]

I live in a town with feral rabbits everywhere, year round. They are all different colors, except white. I suspect white rabbits would be easy prey for the Bald Eagles here. The tourists love them and they can be quite tame. They have burrows everywhere and I can usually see a few rabbits anytime I look out my window. The babies are adorable. The rabbits do seem to thrive although I know not all of them make it. I live in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and the climate is fairly mild for the most part.

[@pelayo341]

Do they eat all the people's crops?

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

Look at those precious babies 🐰

[@HoH]

Creating a little hobbit hole hidden in the landscape is quite the fitting description!

[@DianeD862]

We will watch later we just love Ireland and Daniel and Mossy you make everything all right with what's going on in the world .We want to live in your country and world . Thank you.God Bless peace to you all.☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️

[@prairiedoggy1]

Your knowledge of the care and nurturing of animals continues to amaze me! I imagine that you constantly have to fend off people wanting to live on your land and have you take care of them too!

[@noonergooner2820]

"I actually wish I could make a giant version of this hole for myself" 17:12 man do it, if you built a hobbit hole I would support you 100% and I'm sure many others would too, in fact that is something I would love to see

[@kate2create738]

Your rabbits are the luckiest pets in the world because of what you have created for them, must be such a joy to experience.

[@jolcolwack529]

My rabbit dug his own burrows and emerges every couple of months in another area of the garden where we then put another run over the top so that he can travel from run to run !

[@evawho5866]

Wouldn't it be possible to use these drainage pipes to build a tunnel to an other fenced area to provide more fresh gras?

[@clarebuswell]

That is just amazing! What lucky rabbits! If I ever keep rabbits again, I'll definitely plan their living arrangements based on this concept. Very inspiring!

[@ralphturner3798]

I have two things to say about this very interesting video. [1] Did you have to induce the rabbits to initially go into the tunnel, or did their natural curiosity prove enough? [2] I think it would be nice for you to install a live cam into the warren and let us see what they do in there. Thanks

[@magicsupamoggie]

Oh goodness Ralph that would be wonderful wouldn’t it. Spying on the bunnies.

[@ralphturner3798]

@@magicsupamoggie You and I, Anne, are probably secret voyeurs.

[@frostsmaker8966]

The question is, what kind of camera you would use? Rabbit expecting dark underground. I don't think they will like it if there is some light on and off.

[@crookedbuns]

@@frostsmaker8966 night vision

[@roisinkelly1509]

Mad

[@mmps18]

As the owner of two free-roam bunnies this makes me so happy! Bunnies are such wonderful creatures that deserve loving care like this. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@paulinemckelvey9001]

Daniel, I love the way everything you build is done so well, it's so satisfying to think that once things are up they won't be falling down again any time soon. Loving attention to details, including this latest addition. Congratulations.

[@rzch6092]

It must be lovely where you are at the moment with the nature connection. Watching your vlog from London. Big hello from me.

[@amypatterson-bocchi2514]

You’re always inspiring Daniel. I haven’t got my homestead yet, but I see yours as a blueprint to follow. 🤞🏻 It won’t take too many years before I can pursue this dream.

[@SamWest96]

That's exactly how I see this channel - a step by step guide to creating my own homestead. Good luck on your journey!

[@BenMoranFilms]

Absolutely amazing! This looks like such fun. I'm so jealous that you don't have foxes and mink to contend with. I am going to be keeping chickens for the first time this July because of you. So excited for it! Thanks for sharing these videos Daniel!!

[@cedargrovefarmgoats]

Really great enrichment for the bunnies

[@sunshinewaters5335]

Growing up my parents kept rabbits for a very different reason. We also used the poo on our lawns and vegetable garden. Great fertilizer and it doesn’t burn your plants.

[@DianeD862]

Way out West are very good to watch Sandra and Tim they are in Ireland as well like your self wonderful people love both.GodBless.💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@haleyrob21]

I absolutely love this! I did something similar on a smaller scale when I had my rabbits 🙂

[@Mark723]

302 likes with no dislikes: speaks volumes.

[@Aethuviel]

Now there's one. It's called "statistics".

[@phoenix.]

10 now, haters were busy elsewhere just give them a bit of time, it's oh so time consuming 🤭

[@LiLBitsDK]

@@phoenix. so many retards around, can't avoid em, just have to ignore em

[@andymccabe6712]

@@LiLBitsDK Soo...anyone who dislikes something YOU like is a 'retard'....? There's word for that......!

[@LiLBitsDK]

@@andymccabe6712 it's called "just move on if it doesn't interest you"... there is nothing to dislike here

[@Immortal_Hunter]

God bless you daniel. We wish you success in everything you do. 💖

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

How's the cottage renovation coming along Daniel?

[@jedjones5406]

Thank You for another great video. I learn a lot from watching your videos. I love all animals. I am getting a new cat soon and a couple new rabbits because sadly my two adorable rabbits Daisy and Jefrin were killed by two pit bulls recently and I have been crying a lot.

[@dbulmannz]

Such a lovely gentle guy. And very handsome too hehe.

[@pelayo341]

gay

[@dbulmannz]

@@pelayo341 is that a comment on me him or just my comment? I hope its said from a place of kindness.

[@manuelp.joseph753]

Really beautiful! You did well..!!

[@SarHje]

You’ve made them a mini longbarrow ;) perfect in Ireland

[@prescindaduggan6707]

You and your little homestead helpers are just darling. What a beautiful little peace of paradise you have created for yourself and your furry and feathered friends. I look forward to your next video on financial self sufficiency as a homesteader. Yes, you are correct, that is a major hurdle in the minds of those who would love to live this type of lifestyle. Continued blessings of peace and happiness to you and your crew.

[@jaket8947]

I have rabbits for their manure as well. If I had to, I could also use them as a protein source. But they are so much fun to watch.

[@susanbrown2909]

Your dogs very interested in them..so I would be careful on that one. But it is a collie..maybe it wants to round them up ..hopefully. I’m glad you have the animals interests at heart..rabbits are adorable.

[@jellyJen2000]

Lovely to see the care you give the rabbits. I was expecting you to say we’re a food source, so glad they are just your lawn mowers/fertilisers. 💕

[@canadian-gardening-6A]

Job well done! What a kind thing to do for them. Your Rabbits look so happy in their new surroundings. Thank you for the video.

[@susanm2117]

Hello Daniel all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada. I love watching the wild rabbits running around my neighborhood and now I know to use their poo on my plants 👍🐇. Thanks for another great video.

[@szolanek]

When he constructed the mobile cage, I disapproved the small place. I should watch my mouth! It was lots of work.... I was a bit surprised with the New Zealand rabbits. In Australia, they didn't have them. Interesting.

[@mirjamgf7533]

It is a breed originally from US.

[@rubygray7749]

We certainly do have New Zealand whites in Australia. Tragically we also have the deadly diseases myxomatosis and calicivirus, introduced to control the feral rabbit population, which has killed untold numbers of pet and farmed rabbits. It is heartbreaking trying to keep and breed rabbits here now.

[@Totalinternalreflection]

This dude gunna say mossy bottom with a straight face and I’m living for it.

[@lrissunflower]

I bet any rabbit would love to scurry through the underground tunnels this is so cool

[@troygaspard6732]

I learned a new word today. I never heard "warren" in association with rabbits. It is far more enjoyable to say than burrow.

[@jacksg1809]

Lovely video as always Daniel ,those rabbits are almost living a natural life ,I like that very important for their health and happiness 💖🐇🐇🐇🐇

[@bevemslie8797]

I love what you’ve done to your farm. I haven’t watch your videos for a long while. You were busy renovating the stone cottage. Now I’ve found you again and I’m back to following you and your wonderful achievements again. I love the wooden tiny house in the background. It looks amazing. Thank you for your amazing video. Xxx

[@thebackyardburrows6653]

Wow, wish I found this video before making my rabbit enclosure. Liked and subscribed. Very calm and educating video.

[@Starlight22215]

We did that for a pair of Guinea pigs. They were huge and nearly eight. When we moved from suburbia into the city we made them a cave in our small enclosed garden. When they wanted feeding they would come to the back door and make an absolute din until they were sorted. We couldn’t separate them as they pined so the male had the snip. Didn’t seem to bother him. They were much loved pets.

[@jc2delaga]

Very interesting Daniel. Ur looking good n Moss is all guarding the grounds. So adorable!

[@marilynhoward3958]

Thank you for being so kind and informative.

[@thizizliz]

Fascinating! I had to fence my garden in a similar fashion to keep wild rabbits out!

[@acornhomestead3575]

love it..i have rabbits too, i bought a dog house(small one) and i have a run for the mum and daughter i have and they poop outside the hutch and eat the hay i top up the run is partly covered with an old hutch cover so its pretty warm and part of it is dry all the time. i think an old, clear shower curtain will also keep them dry (colored tarps obviously dont let in much light )

[@Andre-kd1tk]

10 rabbits eat the equivalent of one sheep apparently,another inspirational video.big thumbs up

[@emmr2739]

A life well lived.

[@robinandthedog]

70K+ subs, well done, it seems that many of us are unhappy with their routine everyday working for bosses (not me included) and ending the day before the TV with some new Netflix series. My dear grandfather had the same passion for farming and rabbits, like many other commenters have writing thousand times before me I guess. Your work is ground-braking and because of covid people are for once open to this new way of thinking and life I guess. Please keep educating us, the generation who did not learn from their grandparents how to survive.

[@lixsoma]

My heart freaking melted the way he was stroking the bunnies ears at the beginning omfg so cuteeeee

[@lindacleveland1289]

Daniel you are a breath of fresh air . Full of admiration for you and your chosen lifestyle 👍♥️

[@1Phedre]

Absolutely love bunnies. 🐇 Love your videos.👍🏽 Miss the longer hair 😂

[@WhistleRobin7]

It's definitely hard to see rabbits stuck in a cage. This is a great way to keep them happy.

[@mikes3942]

Thanks for the chuckle at the very end of the video

[@teambeining]

We need to do this for our local buns. Our bushes they used for their den died. They moved to another bush, which my pup quickly knocked out. I feel I owe them.

[@childofnature-norway]

Our bunny built his own cave alone, in her place in our garden. So cute!

[@marcomata2619]

What a wonderful invention, I wish I had the property to undertake these fun looking projects.

[@lornapenn-chester6867]

So interesting! 👏 I thought the plastic box would stop the Earth cooling/heating as well as it does naturally. Great to hear it doesn’t! 💪

[@colinbenfield326]

Fantastic project. I love rabbits and have been fortunate to have kept a few. Your collie loves rabbit pie by the looks of it.

[@MossyBottom]

And chicken pie, and duck pie, and everything except pig pie! :)

[@kristinebailey6554]

Right. We had an inground pool, and we placed huge planters at each corner to help hold the cover in place during winter. I took all of the rabbit poo from under our rabbits hutch and put it in those planters every Fall and Spring. Best flower plants EVER !

[@francineh.7825]

They must love their warren!!

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

We had one of these white rabbits growing up, he was called Peter 🐇. He ran free a lot of the time and dug his own extensive system of several burrows. As you can imagine was quite an escapade to get him out of there and safe back in the hutch at night. He was the most feisty creature I ever met. Over the years, through observation of various animals, kept as pets or in the wild, I would only want to own an animal if I can faithfully say I can enable them to have a lifestyle very close to the natural one they would choose for themselves. People seem to do strange things with animals, like project human behaviours and characteristics on them. It so so lovely to see the animals at mossy bottom being themselves and working alongside you. 🐇💗🥕

[@Aethuviel]

I've also been planning to make a pseudo-natural burrow for my rabbits (when I have them, and my land...), with some sort of lid to take off, and a short tunnel to the nest box. I remember my pet rabbit I had fifteen years ago, sometimes I would put her for a few hours in the abandoned greenhouse, where she would dig a 5'+ tunnel (it curved away after 5 feet), come up when I called her with dirt on her nose, ears forward, and she was so happy.

[@VincentOldMark]

I have to figure out something similar for my rabbits as well, that's a great inspiration

[@rossmorebaz]

the sense of peace and contentment that you have created for yourself at Mossy Bottom rally comes through your videos ...it must be a wonderful feeling to see the fruits of your labours coming through ..congratulations on following your dream and making it happen

[@karenleemallonee684]

A job well done!

[@ebybeehoney]

My childhood rabbit got left out FREQUENTLY. He always stayed around and I would get him in the morning. He was a fabulous guy who was "friends" with my dog. This went on for years and the yard was not fenced.

[@karencooper6634]

really heartwarming to hear how he takes care of his animals...such love. not a word about eating them...unusual for sure.

[@monkeybusiness1999]

You always know where wild rabbits hang out in your yard by the little islands of beautiful bright green grass. Which they come back to nibble at a later date. Smart farmers, they are. :)

[@lillywho]

Ohhh the bloopers though.... That's what you get for trying to film on a farm I guess! :D

[@lynnrushton7458]

LOVE THIS‼️💜 Ah I love how much you care for your animals Daniel.......they looks so happy......well done x

[@thekailyardgardener80]

Thank you so much! I’d been thinking of doing something like this in my garden. I have 2 neutered male rabbits but they sort of free range in the house. They’ve been chewing on my trim. I wasn’t wanting a hutch but this would be a wonderful solution to letting them outside with less fear of neighborhood predators getting them. Thank you so much! You have a beautiful home. I visited Ireland in 2007 and it made me wonder why my grandparents ever moved!

[@2learn4ever]

Who wouldn't fall for those little baby wabbits! Absolutely gorgeous!

[@mirandaandrea8215]

Lucky rabbits!🐇🐖🪶

[@ShortsforSleep]

Love the bloopers and doing late marathon of my favorite channel!!!

[@spirou55]

Wow! I didn't know the rabbits love living in warrens so much. I really enjoyed your video!

[@trishelwood7151]

Very cute!

[@LucasFerrazvlogsanimals]

I really LOVE the idea, defiantly considering doing one for my rabbits in the future! would love to see more videos like this explaining the topics such as this one!

[@anthonylopezgallegos2682]

Your English is refreshing and so crisp.

[@Thegonepotties]

so cute, a great idea 💡

[@erroleabrown4317]

I’m sure they love you for giving them somewhere safe for their babys, good information and lovely video thank you so much

[@k-c]

Best rabbit life I have seen. A little bushy plant would be great for them to hangout under too.

[@Evie170]

Veggie patch, countryside and bunnies. Paradise. 😊

[@jedjones5406]

Very cool

[@leahducey4685]

I love it .

[@debrandw246]

You are just amazing. Thank you so much for what you do for your animals and especially the rabbits. X

[@niamha301]

Perfect video to wake up with. Those rabbits sure are very lucky to live there with you. 🐇 And I remember those couple of hot days last month.😅 It was 26 C here on the east coast, I was so happy when it cooled down again😂 Thank you for the video😊

[@BrimwoodFarm]

I really love this. I currently have mine in hutches and rabbit tractors but I've been considering creating a colony. Really great tip about rotating them through so you still get the poop on the garden yet give the rabbits as much high welfare as possible. Awesome stuff.

[@henriettahenson]

Get some australian jungle juice the midges will come no were near.. Its brilliant stuff .... I use the roll on version you can buy on line or at boots the chemist...

[@StareBlankly]

Woot, woot! Just acquired 3 wonderful compost machines for joy & poo! Had no idea the composting stats (rabbit vs cow/horse vs chicken). Also will be checking out your rabbit lawnmower vid, thanks!😀

[@VibewithLeeLuu]

Your voice and attitude is so pleasant. Dripping with love And great info also. Thanks friend