Ducks, chickens and rabbits?

[chickschool]

Has anyone ever housed a pet rabbit in the same run as their ducks and/or chickens? I have two ducks and 3 hens living very happily in a large run and instead of building another run for our 2 rabbits I was wondering if they could share the space.

 

[AnnaLease]

I've let my rabbits play in the duck pen for short periods of time, so that they can get out of their cages and get some exercise. The ducks and rabbits got along fine. If you were going to house them together 24/7, I would be concerned about #1-them eating each other's food, and #2- the rabbits hopping in bird dung and getting all yucky. Just my thoughts...

 

[chickschool]

OOOH, Yes...the bird poo. I didn't think about that one. Hum

It's a pretty big run and I wonder if the rabbits might be smart enough to avoid it? The food however might be a challenge. Would it hurt one or the other if they were to eat each others food?

 

[chickschool]

Can anyone tell me how different their foods really are?

 

[angidee]

I believe the difference in food is hay.
Also, chickens will pick/peck at things they find interesting. I have read that you can house rabbits in the same area as chickens with a divider between them, providing entertainment for each. But I haven't seen anything about together with no safe guards for the bunnies.

 

[veronicasmom]

Having and having had rabbit and ducks for over ten years, I would emphatically say NOT to house them together. Ducks are disgustingly messy. I would be very concerned about my rabbits having to live in duck poo all the time. Rabbits get into EVERYTHING. So, if there are things (oyster shells) that they SHOULD NOT EAT, around, they will do something stupid and eat it. They need clean drinking water. I don't use bottles because for one the tubes freeze and two, they can leak. So, I use little bowls for the rabbits, no way would the ducks leave them alone. Then the rabbits would not have clean water.
The hay for the rabbits can be put in small hay feeders, but eating each others grain might be a bad idea. I would do everything in my power if I were you to keep them separated.
That being said. Mine are in the same shed, but divided by a strong wire divider. They have individual play areas. Because the rabbits LOVE to dig, theirs is more secure, so they cannot dig out. But they can run, jump, climb and play in that too. I'd be worried about a dumb rabbit getting themselves in the ducks pool (oh yes they could), but then not getting out easily and getting chilled, etc.
So, all in all, please rethink putting them together.
JMO

 

[Oregon Blues]

My rabbits are in the duck's night run. It's covered against the weather.

The rabbits live in hanging rabbit cages, so the ducks haven't lost any floor space. Ducks and rabbits ignore each other, except that the ducks are always hopeful that the rabbits will lose some of their veggies out the bottom of the cage.

I've got a new shed planned for the geese and that is designed to have space for the rabbit cages. Then geese and rabbits will share a building. The geese will take over the job of hoping that the rabbits will drop their veggies.