So I would really enjoy adding both chickens and rabbits to our small family (I'm working on ordinances for our village so they allow microflocks) and have thought long and hard lately about housing and how that would work. So my question is this: Does it work to house chickens and rabbits in the same coop, but divided? Here's my idea (and I'm sorry for the weird Paint illustration. I thought it would help illustrate what I'm saying better):
We have a three foot tall fence surrounding our courtyard between the house and the garage...the fence runs along the driveway. Would it work to build the coop/hutch over the top of the driveway, leaving space for a rabbit run underneath (I would build out some sort of tray under the rabbit side so we don't have droppings on the ground) and then build the pop door for the chickens towards the house so they could have their run on the other side of the fence from the rabbits? I was thinking something like three feet deep, by eight feet long, by four feet tall, and a lot prettier than a Paint drawing...eaves, windows, ventilation, the works. I wanted the rabbits to be on the concrete so they would not be able to dig out. I was thinking I could put a long tray of grass underneath for the rabbits to enjoy. I want the rabbits for fibre production, and the chickens for eggs. So only three or four of each.
Also...is it okay to put the compost right next to the coop? Is there any reason I shouldn't? I live in a city, on about 1/4 acre, so everything needs to be contained--especially compost. I would rather it were on the other side of the garage but that is too close to neighbors and I do not want them complaining about smell.
In conclusion--what do you think?
We have a three foot tall fence surrounding our courtyard between the house and the garage...the fence runs along the driveway. Would it work to build the coop/hutch over the top of the driveway, leaving space for a rabbit run underneath (I would build out some sort of tray under the rabbit side so we don't have droppings on the ground) and then build the pop door for the chickens towards the house so they could have their run on the other side of the fence from the rabbits? I was thinking something like three feet deep, by eight feet long, by four feet tall, and a lot prettier than a Paint drawing...eaves, windows, ventilation, the works. I wanted the rabbits to be on the concrete so they would not be able to dig out. I was thinking I could put a long tray of grass underneath for the rabbits to enjoy. I want the rabbits for fibre production, and the chickens for eggs. So only three or four of each.
Also...is it okay to put the compost right next to the coop? Is there any reason I shouldn't? I live in a city, on about 1/4 acre, so everything needs to be contained--especially compost. I would rather it were on the other side of the garage but that is too close to neighbors and I do not want them complaining about smell.
In conclusion--what do you think?