a chicken and a rabbit?

[mylittlechickpea]

I have heard several stories about chickens and rabbit living in sweet harmony. I got my chicken, so my husband wants a rabbit.

My question is: what is the best way to introtruce them? Should it be gradually over a few days to week with a barrier, or do you think they might be okay in the same shared space with very close supervision?

Thanks ahead for your input!

 

[ChickenToes]

There have been quite a few threads on BYC about keeping chickens and rabbits together and the usual response is - don't do it! People have had their rabbits kill the chickens or the chickens kill the rabbits.

I have no personal experience with keeping chickens and rabbits together. I know that some people do keep them together and it works out just fine. It seems to depend on each individual animal.

Your idea seems smart to me. Introduce them gradually, and the barrier might not be a bad idea either.

Good luck!

 

[Skyesrocket]

Introduce them with the rabbit being in a cage. Put the cage down and let them get used to each other's company.

 

[imtc]

when I got my first 2 chickens they were immediately put in with rabbits (I think 5 rabbits at the time) and did fine. I am since down to 1 rabbit with 7 chickens living together and have never had a problem. I think most of the issues I've seen people argue is that the food is not good to share between the two but I have had no problems with it either. I have a hanging chicken feeder that the rabbit can access and a bowl with rabbit food that the chickens can access so they are always available to each other's feed. I'm no expert but in my personal experience there has been no problems at all between the two species co-existing. And I've done both gradual and immediate introductions with the same result.

 

[mylittlechickpea]

Thanks, guys. The rabbit hutch I have still needs a good washing and some tlc, so it'll be a couple weeks before I bring one home. They will both be house "pets". Chickpea is currently sleeping in my closet.. If my husband knew that I think I think it might put me up one more notch on the wierd meter, but I am trying to stick her in our other bedroom, but with no luck. So I'm hoping

that having another creature in there (in there own hutches, of course) might turn the idea on to her.

The bunny will be coming from the humane society, again,

hoping for no "issues", but i know they spay or neuter all the animals before adoption and i've read that really calms the rabbit down, and hepls out with destructive behavior.. I think I'll go ahead and introduce them gradually with a barrier. Chickpea is still pretty small, only about a month. I don't want to her to get squashed or anything, and when I'm not home they'll go into there seperate enclosures.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[ack123]

No. Because their dietary needs are different. Those that have rabbits with their chickens are lucky they don't get get enteritis from the high corn in the chicken feed. It is way too high in protein, and too low in fiber. It is not a feed that will keep the rabbit in good condition. Those rabbits kept that way are surviving, not thriving. And like I said, lucky. Chickens aren't supposed to have large amounts of rabbit feed either. It makes a nice condition, but otherwise does very little for them nutrition wise. Rabbits can kick and bite at animals they do not understand or if its in their space. believe you me those teeth of theirs are razor sharp and can do a lot of damage when the animal get it in its head to bite something. Chickens will also peck at eyes. They can also pass diseases back and forth, which is why a lot of meat rabbit companies will refuse to take rabbits from people that let them run with their chickens. Coccidia, e coli, are a few. There is also debate on whether they can pass lice and mites back and forth too.

IMHO its not worth the risk.

Sometimes humane societies are very strict aout who their rabbits go to. They may not adopt to you if they know its going to be kept in a situation that may not be good for its health.