The American Beagler Forum

I am thinking of building a starting pen. How big should it be? I was thinking about 1 acre. Is this big enough? I am planning on making it out of the mesh fence with the apron around the bottom. I will put some brush piles and have undergrowth in it. I plan to make a couple feeders for the rabbits also. Does anyone have any suggestions about this?

Thanks,
bmc96

I have a 1 acre pen that I start all of my pups in. There is alot of cover in it. It works great for me. I don't keep them in there very long. As soon as they start running track a little I take them out. I have feeders in mine but the cats, owls and hawks around here are hard on them. I used chicken wire with and folded it myself to make an apron which is about 18 inches long.

That sounds good. What do you use for feeders and what kind of feed do you usually use in yours? Do you take the pups out when they start to open on a rabbit or just when they start working a track? Just curious and looking for suggestions. I haven't fooled with a starting pen before and I just wanted to do some research.

Thanks,
bmc96

I make the feeders out of 55 gallon plastic barrels. I cut them long ways and cut a smalll hole in one end. I use oats and a few rabbits pellets. I only use Missouri cottontails in my starting pen.

I take the pups out once they start trying to work track and make a little progress. Then I put them in some willd rabbits. Hope this helps.

Yes it helps a lot. Thanks for the reply.

bmc96