I currently have 11 hens and 1 roo. 2 of the hens, (NH Reds) will be leaving us soon because they are bullies. And the Rooster just hit 1 year and is starting to act a little fishy so he is probably going too. I only want docile birds in my flock from here on out regardless of laying ability. They currently have over 10,000 sq ft of wooded and grassy free range area and a large hen house with an automatic door. Their free range area is fully enclosed.
I am thinking about integrating a flemish giant into the mix. I would only do this breed of rabbit because of their size. I need something that is as large as a small dog to deter predation by hawks (there is hawk netting but it is sporadic - 10,000 sq ft is a huge area to cover). I would put a hutch in the hen house, it is plenty large enough. But I guess my question is, would the rabbit use the automatic door like the hens? It opens every morning at 6:30am and closes every night at 8pm. Would the rabbit be able to figure this out fairly quickly? I typically collect eggs around 4 or 5pm and do not go back out after that because of the automatic door. Does anyone have experience using an automatic door for rabbits?
I am thinking about integrating a flemish giant into the mix. I would only do this breed of rabbit because of their size. I need something that is as large as a small dog to deter predation by hawks (there is hawk netting but it is sporadic - 10,000 sq ft is a huge area to cover). I would put a hutch in the hen house, it is plenty large enough. But I guess my question is, would the rabbit use the automatic door like the hens? It opens every morning at 6:30am and closes every night at 8pm. Would the rabbit be able to figure this out fairly quickly? I typically collect eggs around 4 or 5pm and do not go back out after that because of the automatic door. Does anyone have experience using an automatic door for rabbits?