Can chickens pass illness to other animals?

[CoolClucker]

I am getting ready to get my first baby chicks this week and was wondering about passing illness. I have two cats and two rabbits. They all live inside with me and the chickens will be outside, but should I worry about picking up something when I'm tending to the chickens that can be passed to my buns or cats? Any precautions I should take? Was also wondering about if I wanted to let the bunnies get some fresh air and run in the chicken run a bit? Is that ok? Thanks !

 

[Alaskan]

The only thing I can think of in regard to transferring disease is some of the worms.

For example, the birds, and all mammals, can get tape worms.

Blach.

Cats will want to eat baby chicks, but cats are usually fine once the chicks are larger. The cat could be a great help at killing any mice that try to live in your chicken coop.

Chickens might try to peck at the bunny, not sure really. I think the bunny would get smelly in the chicken run, unless your run is large enough, or you clean it often enough.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Worm, cocci, salmonella..yep, there are some things that can be shared.
But, if you keep up with routine worming and keep your set up clean, it *shouldn't* be a problem. Lots of people keep buns and chickens together. My uncle does this. His chickens clean up and left over rabbit food that gets dropped, and the chicken run gives the bunnies a place to stretch their legs. There haven't been any big problems. Occasionally a chicken will peck a bunny or a bunny will pull a feather (or mount a hen ). But, they all do well together

 

[CoolClucker]

My bunnies are house bunnies, they live inside. If I am doing routine feeding, etc with the chickens outside anything I should be cautious of, or would a good hand washing be ok? Don't want to come inside, pet my bunnies and make them ill

 

[Alaskan]

I think hand washing would be plenty.


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