mixing species in the same space . . .

[fallenweeble]

hey poultry people,
like most here i have a whole ark of animals (really they "have" me, i'm basically just staff running around doing things for them all day long . . .) and i'm wondering what people think of housing different species with one another.
in particular, is it okay to allow pigeons to hang out with the chickens in the coop? i've been building a "three-stage" chicken area that includes an outdoor "yard," a patio coop that is one end of my porch sectioned off for the chickens and an "inner coop" that is a small cabinet type of roost for night-time warmth and protection. is it okay to allow the pigeons to fly in the patio space? it is roughly eight by eight by ten feet. i do a lot of pigeon rescue/rehab and so frequently have birds that are just hanging out and waiting for forever homes (strangely i don't actually keep my own pigeons so i don't have a permanent pigeon coop . . .). it would be nice to allow them to fly in the coop to practice using their wings sometimes.
and then also . . .
what about letting the bunnies hang out in the outdoor yard space with the chickens? (fyi, the bunnies are "house bunnies" and are all spayed and neutered and the yard area is completely enclosed and predator-proof).
any ideas? suggestions? warnings?
thanks!
f. weeble

 

[BantyChickMom]

Don't know about the bunnies but a lady I got some silkies from has her silkies and pigeons together.
Her area is probably 10 X 18, has pine straw for the floor, 2 doors, is enclosed on 3 sides and wire on the front side.
One side has a tree limb with many branches where the pigeons hang out and the other side is mainly where her chickens hang out.
When she went in to catch the 2 I bought, the chickens and ran from one side to the other, some of the pigeons flew out thru a slot over one of the doors.

It looked like she had one section for a while, then added another section and joined the two to make one big pen.

I'd say go for it with the pigeons.

 

[fallenweeble]

awesome!
thanks so much

f. weeble
(anyone have any info on the buns?)

 

[CarlaRiggs]

We have a family here in Pasadena that keeps their hens, ducks and rabbits in the same enclosure.
Here's a link to their photos I think you'll enjoy.

http://dervaesinstitute.org/photogallery/Animals/index.html

Are you in southern California?

 

[KingsCalls]

I've seen doves in large pens with ducks before and ducks, chickens and geese all together. I would not think it would be a bad idea.

 

[Picco]

I know of several people that keep pigeons with chickens and don't see any problem with it. If you let your pigeons out into the wild for exercise you will have to treat your flock for parasites regularly as your pigeons will borrow some from the wild ones.

 

[fallenweeble]

hi carla!
i am in s. cali (san fernando valley).
thanks for the link - i'm sure i'll have a lot of fun looking at the pics.

f. weeble

 

[jab91864]

My runner ducks are in the same run with my chickens and guinea. The turkeys were with them until they got sent to freezer camp. For the most part it works out well for us.

The bunny (she's a dwarf) was in the pen (run area) for a couple days but the poultry was afraid of her...lol. Everytime she started to hop they all cleared a wide path, was sorta funny considering most of the chickens are three times here size!!!

Julie =0)