Cotton-tailed Rabbits Might Be Attacking Chickens

[centrarchid]

Do you have ample cover for the rabbits. Well manicured lawns are not good for rabbits.

 

[SueT]

Find an active rabbit nest and observe what goes on around as chickens forage there. I have had does actually get sassy with me as I checked out their nest. One even came up at dog that was in process of eating her brood. Attempts there futile but occasional good outcomes could make effort worthwhile.

I do believe you---and come to think of it, I have heard little kerfuffles with chickens out in the weeds where I dare not tread during chigger season....this may very well be the explanation.

 

[aart]

Do you have ample cover for the rabbits. Well manicured lawns are not good for rabbits.

Oh, Yeah. I mow(not 'manicured') part of it but is surrounded by woods. Used to always have them right in the fenced yard and the small fields adjacent. There were nests in the yard and the garlic patch with it's heavy straw mulch. Years ago there were often so many out there I would plink off any inside the fence. Just had a thought, there used to be more 'field' areas interspersed within the wooded areas, most have been overtaken by trees.

 

[centrarchid]

Rabbits here do not do well here in mature woods where stem density is low and diameter is high. Brambles interspersed with dense forbes and low legumes seem to be the magic. Same also good for free-range forage quality with chickens.

 

[animals1981]

whiel doing vet tech realized how fragile rabbits are. As in they are like us tear open easy. They might be defending their babies. Regardless a chicken can handle them so easy. Rabbits provide targets for other flying predators so i like having them around.

 

[animals1981]

Rabbits are probably doing well because of protecting you provide for your chickens. They are thriving here also lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have not seen one rabbit this year....few last year.
Wonder if and when the population will revive?

We're on the 2nd litters for this year. Last year was 3 litters. Baby rabbits everywhere!

The front half of our property is a good acre of bramble with patches of meadows, and then another acre with light tree cover and ample water. It's a magic formula for rabbits. Thankfully the local predators enjoy them or we'd be completely overrun.

 

[aart]

Thankfully the local predators enjoy them or we'd be completely overrun.

Last summer, when I first noticed this deficit, there were more fox and coyote around(had 4 attempts on my run during the day-they bounced off-first since got chooks in 2013) so I attribute that to the rabbit decline, guess it will take longer for the bunnies to bounce back.

 

[deepbluesea]

I currently have three that regularly hang out in my back yard, and swipe chicken feed upon occasion. I keep telling the chickens to 'sic 'em!' but they ignore them and will eat side by side. Slackers! A pair were also doing a little bunny tango in the yard a couple of days ago, so I'm guessing baby bunnies are in my future, as well.

 

[texsuze]

We've had cottontails in the fenced barnyard area where my chickens free-range for 4-5 years now. Bunnies and chooks get along no problem. One year it was like Grand Central Station--couldn't do my barn chores without having to go around either a chook or a bunny in the barn! The bunnies learned to use my pedal (treadle) feeder before the chooks did; squirrels learned next. The bunnies also drink from the water founts (standing on hind legs), share morning treats with my chooks, and generally hang out with my flock. Funny to occasionally see bunnies and chooks all grooming/preening at the same time. My more dominant girls will sometimes just give a "look" or a small "cluck" to a bunny if they get too close while girls are eating; the bunnies understand this body language and back off. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed having the bunnies around.