The rabbit fence mesh size that extension services agree on is 1 inch or smaller, because larger openings let young rabbits through. For burial depth, the guidance depends on where you live and whether your rabbits dig: Midwestern sources say pin the bottom tight to the ground or bury it 1 to 2 inches, while the University of California, writing for western jackrabbits and cottontails, says bury it at least 6 to 10 inches and bend a few inches outward. If rabbits are already getting under, go deeper and add the outward bend.
Rabbit fence mesh size: why 1 inch is the line
Every independent source we read uses the same number, and they give the same reason for it.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension wildlife specialists David Drake and Scott Craven, in Rabbit Ecology and Damage Management (revised 02/2012, read October 2, 2026), write: "Be sure the mesh is 1 inch or less so that young rabbits will not be able to go through it."
- The Missouri Department of Conservation says rabbits can be kept out of gardens "with an 18- to 24-inch-high fence of 1-inch mesh galvanized wire."
- The University of California Statewide IPM Program's rabbit pest note says "mesh size should be no larger than 1 inch in order to exclude young rabbits."
Notice the phrase that keeps coming back: young rabbits. A fence sized only for adults leaves a gap for the smallest animals, which is exactly the gap these sources are closing with the 1-inch limit.
What this means at the store: "chicken wire" and "poultry netting" are sold in more than one opening size, so the product name does not tell you the mesh. Read the label for the opening size and pick 1 inch or less. Hardware cloth with smaller openings is stiffer and is also used, especially for tree guards, as the sections below show.
How tall a rabbit fence needs to be
Rabbit fences are short compared with deer fences, and the sources agree on roughly 2 feet for typical garden cottontails.
- Wisconsin: "A fence of 2-foot chicken wire with the bottom tight to the ground or buried a few inches is sufficient."
- Iowa State University Extension: "2 foot tall should be adequate."
- Missouri Department of Conservation: "an 18- to 24-inch-high fence."
California is the exception, and it is a useful one. The UC pest note covers the black-tailed jackrabbit, desert cottontail and brush rabbit, and tells readers to "use 48-inch-tall wire," then to "discourage jumping by increasing the above-ground height to 3 feet. In snow areas, a higher fence might be necessary." If you live where jackrabbits are the problem, the Midwestern 2-foot advice is not written for you.
Snow matters everywhere. Missouri notes that guards and wraps "are not effective when snow depth exceeds the height of the wire or wrap," and the same logic applies to a short fence: a snowbank against it works like a ramp.
How deep to bury a rabbit fence: the sources disagree, and here is why
This is the question behind most rabbit-fence searches, and it is where the guidance splits. Here is what each source actually says.
| Source (state) | Bottom edge instruction | Rabbits covered |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University Extension (Iowa) | "Pin it tightly to the ground with u-shaped landscape pins or bury the bottom 1 to 2 inches below the ground" | Garden rabbits in Iowa |
| UW-Madison Extension (Wisconsin) | "Bottom tight to the ground or buried a few inches" | Cottontails |
| Missouri Department of Conservation (Missouri) | "Carefully staked to the ground or buried several inches" | Cottontails |
| UC Statewide IPM (California) | "Bury the bottom at least 6 to 10 inches into the ground," and "bending a few inches of the fence bottom outwardly will further deter rabbits from digging beneath it" | Jackrabbits, desert cottontail, brush rabbit |
So the honest answer has two parts.
If rabbits are not digging, the Midwestern sources treat the bottom edge as a gap problem, not a digging problem. A fence pinned tight to the ground, or buried an inch or two, closes the space a rabbit would squeeze under.
If rabbits are digging, use the deeper, California-style approach: bury the bottom further and bend a few inches outward, away from the garden. The UC pest note gives 6 to 10 inches of burial for the species it covers. None of the sources we read gives a single depth that fits every soil and every rabbit, and we will not invent one.
"They went under it inside a week": what usually went wrong
If you built a fence and still have rabbits inside, work through these before buying more wire.
- The bottom was not tight. Uneven ground leaves gaps between the wire and the soil, especially in dips and along slopes. Every source above names the bottom edge for a reason.
- The gate is the gap. UC advises "tight-fitting gates with sills to keep rabbits from digging below the bottom rails." A gate that swings an inch above grade undoes the rest of the fence.
- The mesh is too big. If the label says larger than 1 inch, young rabbits can pass through it, per every source in this article.
- They dug. Fresh soil at the fence line is the sign. Move to deeper burial with an outward bend.
- They were already inside. A fence keeps rabbits out; it does not remove the ones already sheltering within it. Walk the enclosed area before you close it up.
- It may not be a rabbit. Other burrowing animals need different hardware. Confirm the animal before you add depth to a fence that is solving the wrong problem.
Before you dig a trench: call 811
Burying a fence bottom means digging along a line. The national 811 before-you-dig service (read October 2, 2026) says anyone who plans to dig should contact 811 "a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences." It adds that "every digging project, regardless of depth, requires contacting 811 a few days in advance."
That applies to a shallow rabbit trench too. Wait for the lines to be marked before you start. Wear gloves when handling cut wire, since cut ends are sharp.
Fencing a bed vs fencing a tree
A fence around a vegetable bed and a guard around a tree are different jobs with different mesh.
For vegetable and flower beds, the 1-inch, 2-foot fence above is the standard. Iowa State lists snap beans, peas, beets, lettuce and spinach among plants frequently damaged, and notes tomatoes, potatoes and onions are less susceptible, so a fence around the leafy crops may protect more than a fence around the whole plot.
For young trees and shrubs, the sources switch to a cylinder of finer mesh:
- Missouri: "Cylinders of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth, 18 to 24 inches high, and set into the ground surrounding the trunk will help prevent gnawing damage to the main stem."
- Wisconsin: the cylinders "should extend above expected snow depth and stand an inch or two out from the tree trunk."
Both sources plan around snow, which is a reminder that tree guards are a winter tool as much as a summer one.
Upgrading an existing fence
You do not always need a new fence. If you already have a taller fence with large openings, such as welded wire, chain link or hog wire, Wisconsin's guidance is to cover the bottom: "The lower 1½ feet should be covered with 1-inch wire mesh." That turns a fence built for larger animals into one that also stops rabbits, without replacing it.
When you backfill a trench along the bottom edge, a bow rake rather than a leaf rake is the right tool for moving and leveling soil against the wire so no low spots are left.
A quick build checklist
- Call 811 and wait for marks.
- Buy mesh with openings of 1 inch or less.
- Plan about 2 feet above ground for typical cottontails; follow UC's taller guidance if you are dealing with jackrabbits in the West.
- Decide on the bottom: pinned tight or shallow burial if rabbits are not digging; deeper burial with an outward bend if they are.
- Fit the gate with a sill or a tight bottom.
- Clear rabbits from inside before closing the last section.
- Walk the fence after heavy rain and snow, since Missouri reminds readers that "fences must be well maintained to ensure ongoing protection."
FAQ
What mesh size keeps rabbits out? One inch or smaller. UW-Madison Extension, the Missouri Department of Conservation and UC IPM all give 1 inch as the limit so young rabbits cannot get through.
How deep should I bury a rabbit fence? It depends on your rabbits. Iowa State says pin it to the ground or bury 1 to 2 inches; UC IPM, writing for western species, says 6 to 10 inches with a few inches bent outward. If rabbits are digging, go deeper and add the bend.
How tall should a rabbit fence be? About 2 feet for typical garden cottontails, per Iowa State, Wisconsin and Missouri. UC IPM calls for more height where jackrabbits are the problem and in snowy areas.
Is chicken wire good enough for rabbits? It can be, if the openings are 1 inch or less. Check the label, because the name alone does not tell you the mesh size.
Do I need to call 811 for a small garden fence? Yes. The 811 service says every digging project, regardless of depth, needs a call a few days in advance, including fences.