An effective rabbit fence needs at least 30 inches of above-ground height with the bottom buried 6 to 12 inches deep to stop both jumping and burrowing; jackrabbits require 36-inch fences.
One garden-variety cottontail can clear a 2-foot fence when it’s scared, and a determined rabbit will tunnel under anything sitting loose on the surface. The right height and burial depth together create a barrier that feels like a wall rather than an obstacle. Here’s the exact height, the material that lasts, and the installation tricks that make the difference between a fence that works and one that just looks like it does.
What Is The Correct Height For A Rabbit-Proof Garden Fence?
Standard cottontail rabbits are stopped by a fence that stands 30 inches tall above the ground. Jackrabbits, which jump higher when startled, need a full 36 inches. That height measurement is from the soil surface to the top wire — not from the bottom of a trench.
Shorter fences are the most common failure.
Why Burial Depth Matters More Than You Think
Rabbits dig. A fence sitting directly on the soil surface is an invitation to tunnel under. The standard recommendation is to bury the bottom 6 to 12 inches deep. For heavy rabbit pressure, go the full 12 inches.
The best technique is the L-shaped barrier. Bend the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the hardware cloth outward at a 90-degree angle, pointing away from the garden, then bury that horizontal section. A rabbit digging downward along the vertical fence hits the horizontal wire and gives up. Without that L-bend, a rabbit can dig straight down along the fence face and get through in minutes.
Rabbit Fence Specs Comparison
| Parameter | Cottontail Minimum | Jackrabbit Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Above-ground height | 30 inches | 36 inches |
| Burial depth | 6 inches | 12 inches |
| Mesh size | 1 inch or smaller | 0.5 inch or smaller |
| Material type | 20-gauge poultry netting | Galvanized hardware cloth |
| Material lifespan | 3–5 years | 10+ years |
| Raised bed height requirement | 24 inches minimum | 24+ inches with drain rock |
| Cost (24″ x 50′ roll) | $25–$40 | $45–$65 |
Galvanized steel hardware cloth with a 0.5-inch mesh is the gold standard. It resists rust, rabbits can’t chew through it, and it keeps out baby rabbits that squeeze through larger openings. Poultry netting works for a few seasons but degrades in sunlight and weakens at the wire joints over time.
Mesh Size: The Gap Rabbits Exploit
A full-grown rabbit can squeeze through any opening larger than 1 inch. The safe standard is a 0.5-inch mesh, which also excludes mice, voles, and chipmunks that follow rabbit trails into gardens.
Chicken wire is not rabbit-proof. Its hexagonal openings stretch over time, and rabbits learn to push through or chew the thin wire. Hardware cloth’s square grid holds its shape and is rigid enough that rabbits don’t bother trying to force it.
How To Install A Rabbit-Proof Fence In 5 Steps
Get this right once and you won’t be patching holes every spring. The full guide from Frame It All’s rabbit-proof garden guide details the complete process. Here’s the sequence that works:
- Dig a continuous trench 6–12 inches deep around the entire garden perimeter. Lay landscape fabric in the trench before filling to block weeds.
- Bend the bottom of your hardware cloth 6–12 inches outward at a 90-degree angle to create the L-shaped barrier that stops burrowing.
- Set the fence so it stands 30 inches above ground (36 for jackrabbits) and attach it securely to stakes or raised bed frames. Space posts no more than 5 feet apart to prevent buckling.
- Secure the gate with a continuous board across the bottom and staple hardware cloth to it. Bury the gate’s bottom barrier just like the main fence.
- Fill the trench with mulch, rocks, or woodchips to suppress weeds and lock the L-bend in place.
How High Does A Raised Bed Fence Need To Be?
If you’re fencing a raised bed, the bed’s own height counts toward the total barrier. A 24-inch tall raised bed is the minimum starting point when rabbits are present. The remaining fence height sits on top of the bed frame.
Fill the bed with drain rock rather than soil only — the rock adds effective height without requiring more fence. This is the approach recommended in the Planter app’s rabbit-proofing guide, which covers the full layout planning for garden barriers.
For readers ready to buy materials, check our tested product roundup of the best rabbit fence options for gardens for side-by-side comparisons of hardware cloth, poultry netting, and electric fencing kits.
Electric Fencing: An Alternative For Heavy Pressure
Use 6 strands of wire spaced 3 inches apart, alternating hot and ground wires.
Electric kits are portable and stored during the off-season, which makes them an option for temporary garden protection. They are not a substitute for proper physical fencing where year-round protection is needed.
Common Rabbit Fence Mistakes To Skip
- Insufficient height: A 24-inch fence fails under pressure. Go to 30 inches minimum.
- Shallow burial: 3–4 inches is nothing to a digging rabbit. Bury at least 6 inches, ideally 12.
- Oversized mesh: Rabbits squeeze through 1-inch gaps. Use 0.5-inch hardware cloth.
- Posts too far apart: More than 5 feet between posts causes the fencing to buckle and create gaps.
- Chicken wire: Rabbits chew through it. Galvanized hardware cloth is the only long-term choice.
- Gate gaps: A gate with no buried barrier underneath is an open door. Treat the gate like the rest of the fence.
Does Snow Change The Height Requirement?
Beyond the fence itself, remove brush piles, tall grass, rock piles, and anything rabbits use for cover near the garden. Block access under sheds and porches where rabbits establish permanent dens.
Fence Failures — Fix Order Sequence
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits inside the garden | Burial depth too shallow or gap at gate | Check the entire fence line for dug tunnels; rebury to 12 inches with L-bend |
| Rabbits jumping over | Fence too short for local species | Add a 6-inch extension or replace with 36-inch fencing |
| Rabbits squeezing through | Mesh larger than 1 inch or stretched chicken wire | Replace with 0.5-inch hardware cloth |
| Fence buckling at base | Posts spaced more than 5 feet apart | Add intermediate stakes to close the gap to 5 feet or less |
| Rust or holes after 2 years | Poultry netting degradation | Upgrade to galvanized hardware cloth for 10+ year lifespan |
FAQs
Will a 2-foot fence keep rabbits out of my garden?
A 24-inch fence stops some rabbits under calm conditions but fails regularly when rabbits are startled, chased, or pressured by predators. The reliable minimum for cottontails is 30 inches. Jackrabbits routinely clear 2-foot fences and need 36 inches.
Can rabbits chew through hardware cloth?
No. Galvanized steel hardware cloth is too rigid for rabbits to bite through. Chicken wire and plastic mesh are vulnerable to chewing and degradation. Hardware cloth with 0.5-inch squares is the standard for permanent rabbit exclusion.
What is the cheapest rabbit-proof fence option?
Twenty-gauge poultry netting costs roughly $25–$40 for a roll but lasts only 3–5 years before rusting and weakening. Welded wire fencing costs more upfront but provides 10+ years of protection. Long-term, the cheap option costs more in replacement labor.
Do ultrasonic repellents work for keeping rabbits out?
No. Ultrasonic devices produce inconsistent results and rabbits quickly habituate to them. Physical exclusion through fencing is the only reliably effective method. Scent-based repellents require constant reapplication and wash off in rain.
Does electric fencing require special permitting?
Some municipalities have restrictions on electric fencing, particularly near sidewalks or public paths. Check local codes before installing. The fence must use alternating hot and ground wires spaced 3 inches apart to be both effective and safe.
References & Sources
- Frame It All. “The Ultimate Rabbit Proof Raised Garden Bed Guide.” Covers height, mesh, and burial specifications for rabbit fencing.
- Planter Blog. “Rabbit Proof Your Garden.” Installation steps including L-shaped barriers and gate security.
- Fine Gardening. “Keeping Rabbits Out of the Kitchen Garden.” Species-specific fence height recommendations for cottontails and jackrabbits.
- Bonnie Plants. “How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden.” Habitat removal and trapping guidance from plant experts.