How to set cage traps for rabbits
A reader wants to know how to set a cage trap in order to catch a rabbit. Our expert rabbiter, Simon Whitehead, had the answer.
Once the trap has been primed, the door should be set on a hair trigger and baited with segments of carrot
A reader asked a question regarding rabbit traps: I have been given some cage traps by a farmer friend, but the only things I have caught have been birds and hedgehogs (all of which were released unharmed). How and what is the best way to set this type of trap?
Professional rabbit controller and ferreter Simon Whitehead had the answer.
Cage traps are fantastic. I remember Colin from Colin’s Traps illustrating their worth years ago and if you watch this film, it explains everything. But, in short, this is how you do it. Before you set your traps, go to the affected area and put a carrot on the ground where you want to place your trap. The day after, when it has been eaten, replace with another carrot. The day after that, the carrot should be gone, so take your traps and set.
Setting up cage traps
The best way to set these traps is to stake the trap down, so that a fox or badger does not treat it like a supermarket basket, and set the door on a hair trigger. This means right at the end of the rod so the slightest of touches triggers it.
Slice the carrots roughly the size of your small finger. Place two segments behind the treadle plate but away from the sides, one piece just before the treadle plate, one just inside and one outside the entrance. If you put too much outside they will have no reason to explore the inside, as they will be full up. The plan is to get the rabbits hooked on carrots so they come back to that place.
Once there, they find small sections of carrots and eat them, until they go for the ones behind the plate. They then go on the plate and the door closes. Good luck.
