ducks and rabbits??

[sammy11461]

Hello I'm very new at raising ducklings and I am a proud owner of two little ducks as of three days ago, I normally raise rabbits, so believing they get along great I have had one of my young rabbit and the ducklings nesting together in a good size cage for now, but I recently started reading stories of rabbits attacking ducks, has anyone here ever raised rabbits and ducks together??? If so can you tell me if it's safe to leave my rabbits and ducklings together? As of now the rabbit and ducklings are getting along great the ducklings follow the rabbit everywhere and the rabbit allows them to eat with him and snuggle next to him.

 

[enriquec]

Easter

Sorry no experience.

My brain just screamed Easter, five times, so loudly I replied.

 

[Rachele anne]

I was thinking about doing the same thing but I have no idea

 

[sammy11461]

Easter

Sorry no experience.

My brain just screamed Easter, five times, so loudly I replied.

Yes in fact it would remind someone of Easter....I guess lol

 

[sammy11461]

I was thinking about doing the same thing but I have no idea

So far it's going great but I was just trying to find more ppl with experience

 

[Miss Lydia]

So far it's going great but I was just trying to find more ppl with experience

I'd just keep a close eye on the ducklings because when tiny they really are vulnerable to injury.. Hopefully the Rabbit will continue to be nice. I'm not experienced with rabbits but do daddy rabbits care for their babies along with the mama? or are they known to injure or kill? Hopefully someone who has both will post soon.

Welcome to BYC

 

[veronicasmom]

Rabbits can be very territorial and nasty if they feel threatened. They will thump to warn and then they can go after something or someone that they feel is intruding. I really think that keeping the ducklings and rabbit together is not a great idea. I have never had ducklings, just adults, but I do have rabbits and have for quite a long time.

If you do some reading about wild rabbits, you will see they are not as unassuming as people think they are. And domestics have some of the same traits.

JMO

 

[needlessjunk]

I have never had both together but I have had a few rabbits in the past. Never again will I have them either. I had 2 that were very mean and would attack. My aunts would also claw and try to bite me even though he was "very friendly" once picked up. I had one that started out very friendly and then progressively decided she wanted to be left alone. Rabbits have teeth from the get go so they could do damage if they are so inclined but I don't know if they are raised together will make them pals. Ducklings are really helpless.

 

[veronicasmom]

Wow, you've had some scary rabbits. I've never had one that was that bad, and none that were mean to humans. I think part of the problem is that the general consensus is that rabbits are like the Easter bunny. Cuddly and sweet. They are prey animals and therefore have to be able to attempt to defend themselves. And they see humans most of the time as predators. I have and have had lovely rabbits, but I respect their limitations and their fears. Certainly there are very friendly rabbits, I've seen them both in the shelters that I have volunteered in and at friends homes. That being said, I think it is probably, again in my opinion, not wise to put them in with the ducklings. If they were to need to defend themselves, and did hurt the ducklings, then they would be blamed for being the aggressor, And I don't think that's fair. Animals are animals. So it is up to us to keep all species safe. And to provide them with the best home we possibly can.

 

[Autumn Leaves]

Don't forget that a rabbit's hind legs can provide a very powerful kick. It may not be intentional but if the rabbit kicks a duck I would bet there would be some broken bones. My Californian has a pretty hefty kick. Also, when my rabbit wants something out of his way (like my leg) he grabs it with his teeth and pulls. My jeans are fine, but a wing would not stand up to those teeth.

It is not recommended to house guinea pigs with rabbits for this reason. Even if they are friendly, the rabbit may injury the piggie on accident by jumping. In comparision, a duck has much more fragile bones than that of a guinea pig so I would think it would be very risky.

I have my chicks in the same room as my rabbit at the moment, but they are in a crate safe from harm. My rabbit ignores them but could easily trample them if they were allowed to be in his area.