Rabbit hutch ?? Any one use?

[Dixiedoodle]

Has any one used the Premium Rabbit hutch from Petsmart, for a coop??

I need a small coop--the hutch is the perfect size
It will be in a completely enclosed run (Chain link and hardware cloth)--so I won't have to worry about predators chewing thru it.
it will be under a roof --so I won't have to worry about it rotting too quickly.
I have a gift card -which will bring the cost of this hutch down to what two pcs. of plywood and wire would cost me..

This will be for broodies, introductions and re-introductions after quarantines. I want to use it with a chain link fence panel that has a gate in it (I have on hand) to prevent them from fighting until I can get them used to each other..

So is it worth the effort? Or should I forget it and look for something else? Thank you for your suggestions, ideas, etc..Dixie

 

[pringle]

I think it would be a perfect idea,im going to raise quail in my old rabbit hutch this spring.

 

[Humhill]

They have lots of products on their website that would work great. One even looks like a mini chicken tractor. Too cute!!

 

[redrocketrooster]

It's a great idea. I was thinking of using a larger rabbit hutch and fixing it up. There are a few things to watch out for though.
From past experience with this brand of hutches the wires corroded easily even when covered, the birds will pick the cover off too I bet.
The actual wire spacing is for rabbits feet, not for birds. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a while to adjust or stood awkwardly.
The tray, I should mention in the last one I saw cut my fingers open. It was very sharp, I don't know if that has been changed though.
Really I would just put down some plywood or something.

 

[ChookHappy]

We used a rabbit hutch for quite a while and it worked out great. There were eight young pullets in there until they were around 17 weeks. With the welded wire bottom we threw in a bit of hay for starters but removed it and kept shavings in the poop tray. I'm always keeping my eye out for free used hutches on CL.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Thanks for the replies. I will put in a solid bottom. The chickens won't be comfined except at night in the hutch, they will have a 10x4 run to be in during the day. My quaratine 'coop' has a solid bottom w/ several inches of shavings and I just rake/clean it out every day works like a charm...

 

[Jennygirl76]

We started with a Rabbit Hutch that was given to us. We started to modify it, and got a little out of hand with it. We made it into a little house, it was perfect for our first 2hens. We have grown since then to 16 chickens. I had to share a couple pictures of our "rabbit hutch" turned chicken coop.

 

[fowlmood]

I have a homemade rabbit hutch inside the coop. The chickens roost on top of the hutch, they use the nest box for laying, the "main" open part of the hutch works for new chicks and the ducks have all of the floor area underneath. Works out well for my set up.

 

[Kansaseq]

Wow, that's some conversion!

 

[Jennygirl76]

Yes, it kinda got out of hand, but really was a great way to start out. We even painted it to match our house.