Hi! Im new and quite young, looking for advice please

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minibrownbun

minibrownbun

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Dec 25, 2015
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Hi, in a few weeks, My mum is planning to get me, my sister and herself three pet silkie chickens. I've never owned chickens before (my mum has) and I don't know much about them.
Can they live with rabbits? In my garden I have two sheds each with their own run, connected by a run, I only have two small bunnies (who are currently living inside as house rabbits) who probs won't need all of the space. Could three chickens live with them? (Obviously free ranging in the day like my rabbits do)
Thanks!
 
welcome-byc.gif
Glad you have joined us and congrats on getting your own Silkies.

I have no experience with rabbits or bunnies, but did a search of the forums. Here's link to a page of the same question, hopefully you can find some useful answers there:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=rabbits+and+chickens
 
Silkies generally do not fare well free ranging. Their wing feathers are not made for flying but, they can jump. With their crests and beards their vision is obscured and they cannot see predators like other breeds do. They tend to be the first to be taken by predators, especially hawks. They would be best in an enclosed run with top, to prevent climbers and raptors from taking them.
 
If you do house them together the rabbits will take their food and vice versa. Some randy male rabbits may also harass and try to breed the chickens.
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Drumstick diva has given you some good advise. I wouldn't try and house the Silkies and rabbits together. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Merry Christmas. :eek:)
 
I got back to this real late sorry, I should probably add more information.
I live in England and in my area, birds of prey don't come near. Predators wouldn't be an issue as my garden is medium sized and heavily protected because of the bunnies.
My bunnies are both female and shouldn't try to mate with the hens (unless I need to check them a bit more) however that's a very good point about the food stealing as they are in LOVE with food!
I have the option of separating the two sheds a bit by sectioning off some parts of the run.
Should I maybe think of getting a different breed because I plan on free ranging my new pets?
Is there a way of keeping their feathers out of their eyes?
Thanks everyone! I don't know how to work this properly yet but I can learn soon
 
drumstick diva said:
Silkies generally do not fare well free ranging.  Their wing feathers are not made for flying but, they can jump.  With their crests and beards their vision is obscured and they cannot see predators like other breeds do.  They tend to be the first  to be taken by predators, especially hawks.  They would be best in an enclosed run with top, to prevent climbers and  raptors from taking them.
Click to expand...

I would be lucky to find a raptor over here in the East Midlands of England. But there are pheasants around and I saw a condor (I think) when out on a hike...
 

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