Question about chicken coops and rabbit hutches

[Quailbuddy]

I would go ahead and get the chicks . . . that coop would be great for rabbit and or chickens if you make the adjustment you said earlier.
** but for rabbits i would add THICK wire or over lay some wire and then put dirt on top of that. I would suggest this because if you dont your rabbits WILL dig holes . . . add dirt so they dont chew on the wire. For rabbits i would also have the ramp be longer or take off some of the wood strips. Good Luck !

 

[JFW]

Mucky,

The problem with having rabbitts in contact with ground is a health concern for the rabbits (worms and other problems). The rabbits should be kept in all wire cages at least 24" off of the ground (30" x 36" x 18" for medium size). You should also build the hutch with a double roof if it is going to be in the sun all of the time (air flow between the two roofs help cool it). It should have sides that will keep it out of the wind during the winter and during heavy rains (my hutches have removable sides). Rabbits do well in cold weather but they are a lot like chickens when it comes to heat and they need plenty of clean water. I have raised meat rabbits for years and I will tell you to keep them off of the ground. Keeping them off of the ground makes it a lot easier to keep the area around the hutch clean. Rabbit poop rocks as plant food without any composting (just use it straight out of the rabbit). I hope this helps.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Mucky- I think that you should get three Silkie hens. They would be quiet, mild & sweet. Perfect pets for kids!

 

[Mucky]

JFW- Hey, thanks for all the good info. My father, uncle, and grandfather all keep rabbits but I have never paid much attention to them. When we visit my kids play with them a bit but I really never considered keeping them myself. After reading your post I was thinking about my families rabbits though, they are all in elevated cages just like you described. Never really crossed my mind that there was some reason for that.

I think I have the go ahead for my chickens though. I am gonna put the rabbits on hold now. My wife wasnt really crazy about the chicken idea so I am gonna have to ease her into that before I bring home more pets. That will give me more time to research them though, its becoming apparent I don't know anything about rabbits.

I got lots more to learn about chickens too. I got started on my coop yesterday and realized it is gonna take me quite awhile to get this thing done, so I have plenty to time to research my chickens too.

 

[Mucky]

Quote:
I really like Silkie hens, but my wife doesn't like the look of them. Don't ask, I have no idea why... Shes not crazy about keeping chickens, she grew up on farm but they never had them. So I have to find something she likes, I think we might get Cochins. I showed them to her the other nignt and she liked them.

I got plenty of time to decide, Im too tired to work on the coop tonite. My weekend looks like its already full too

I have to get alittle closer to completion of this coop before I get the hens. Don't want to end up with hens ready to move outside when I don't have everything ready.