Anyone use a converted rabbit hutch?

[Emilys3guppies]

Hello!

I'm new to keeping chickens and am doing my research so that I can get my first two in the spring. I'm trying to decide on a coop design for mostly indoor birds. I'm looking at silkies and, where I am, it's too rough in the winter for them. A rabbit hutch we have, I think, could be converted into an indoor coop for the girls.

It's like this. With a removable 3" pans on the floors.

It's 3' long and 1.5' wide.

Thanks for the advice!
Emily

 

[clickie]

i use a homemade rabbit hutch that someone gave me lol.. i have two silkies in it. they seem to do fine during the winter i just put extra hay in, but if they weather is too cold i bring them inside.

 

[ducks4you]

Firstly,

I'd say that you need to do some more research on this site. First, read the FAQ's regarding space per bird. Check out the coop pages, read about ventilation (patandchickens has a link on her sig) and rethink about using something this small AS THE MAIN COOP. Many of us that already have a rabbit hutch find uses like a quaratine cage for ONE chicken, or, a brooder.

Most BYCer's will tell you how to keep the costs down while building--So many of us are in a BUILDING FRENZY right now!!!

Also, IF you can afford it, BYC has advertisers that KNOW chicken's needs, even if they think you can keep too many birds in one space. You could buy one of theirs and your birds would be very happy.

I made a former hutch (3 x 3 x 4) work for only ONE Rhode Island Red hen, AND she lives in it INSIDE the barn. Check out last photo:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=185353

You're gonna want more than one bird, because you'll want more eggs, AND, when it comes down to it, they are fun pets and pretty darn easy to take care of, as long as you don't mind feeding cleaning up after them!

**ducks4you imagines Sean the Sheep sticking his tongue out**

 

[bobdmann]

hi I use a 6 foot x 4 foot home made rabbit hutch I have 6 hens and a roo RIR they fit just fine

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
That is a really nice idea. I think for Silkies, who tend to be rather inactive, this would work great. I love the indoor ramp, too cool.
I use a rabbit hutch for bantam cochins and 3 pile in there. Silkies like to pile, I have noticed, so this will work great

Especially as an indoor option.
Christina

 

[GardeNerd]

Here is mine.

There is a link to a few more photos of it on my BYC page. I have since added two more walls and a roost on the top level since I posted the original pics there. I am using my as a brooder currently. It works out good.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

I use a similar model of rabbit hutch as a temporary home for my teen chicks

. The only bad thing about that brand is that I find them VERY flimsy(wobbly, unstable, etc)

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Hi,
Yes, I use one as a transitional set up for my young chicks that are too young to be incorporated in with older chickens. My 15 year old son converted ours. He cut the legs off so they can get in and out of the door easily. We also rig up a outside "run" that attaches to the front of the hutch which allows the chicks to hunt & peck in the grass...they love it. They act really grown up and love to lay in the sun.

One caution though...if you are using a "used" hutch which actually did at one time house rabbits. Clean it carefully. Rabbits carry Cocci so I would clean it well. We actually cleaned ours with hot soapy water and scrub brush and then bleach and then we let it dry out well in the sunshine before "reworking" it. Another thing we do is line the bottom wire with paper feed sacks. It keeps the feed in (they love to scratch in it) and it can be changed out easily when it gets soiled or damp.

 

[Camelot Farms]

I use our converted bunny hut as a brooder for peeps until they get their feathers. Works perfectly and I can put it outside on extra warm days for some sunshine and fresh air.