Rabbit hutch in chicken coop?

[serenityNH]

My two rabbits live with the chickens, they all get along beautifully, no problems what's so ever! On rainy day's the chickens even take up residence in the hutch. Also my buns have free roam of our fenced in back yard, they put themselves to bed at night just like the chickens. They have escaped several times when the dog's dug a hole at the fence, but they always return to put themselves to bed and then I just fix the hole. It's really quite amazing watching the chickens out in the garden together, especially with the dogs and cats- that's my idea of heaven!

 

[georgeandmildredgoose]

Quote:
hi there, how wonderful to hear you've never had a sick goose! from what i have read mycoplasma (if thats what we are dealing with) is highly infectious to other birds. the geese love the chickens, they are always herding them around like goslings.

although i understand where you are coming from re sacrificing a rabbit, i cant do it,

they are a bonded unit, of course if one was at the point of no return, i would, but currently, they are looking good.

i agree that they illness between birds and rabbits in un-related, but its been a interesting thread. as to why all this has happened?? i am in the dark, who knows after this, hopefully i will be like you and not have illness again!

i could start saying all about how i clean and care for them etc. but i dont need too, i know i do a good job, i love my animals dearly, this is just a blip.

perhaps we could put it down to crazy uk weather. was beach and suncream weather at the weekend, then suddenly cold, and heating back on.

i will let you know the outcome and lab results.

a big thankyou to you all for all your help, especially brahmas

 

[babyrnlc]

We have a rabbit colony for our 3 does and 1 buck. We let the buck out into the yard sometimes and he loves to go visit the chicks. They challenge him and fluff up (they are 3-4 months old), but they have never pecked him. The older girls ignor him. He thinks they are great, but after 15 minutes or so , he runs back to the colony and tries to get back in to his girls.

 

[Yukoncoop]

Hi everyone - we recently acquired a 1/2 giant flemish female (so she will be big, but won't have the heart issues full giant flemish rabbits have). We are planning to incorporate her into our run, but are wondering about her being in the coop with the chickens. We live in a cold climate and want her to have the benefit of "team warmth". Any issue putting a hutch for her in with them or should I give her a separate hutch outside on her own? Just wondering how to keep her warm. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hi everyone - we recently acquired a 1/2 giant flemish female (so she will be big, but won't have the heart issues full giant flemish rabbits have). We are planning to incorporate her into our run, but are wondering about her being in the coop with the chickens. We live in a cold climate and want her to have the benefit of "team warmth". Any issue putting a hutch for her in with them or should I give her a separate hutch outside on her own? Just wondering how to keep her warm. Thank you!

Your bunny will keep itself warm. Just provide thicker bedding in colder weather. Your hutch can go where it convenient for you. It should be out of any strong winds, and protected from the elements.

 

[333113]

I keep rabbits and chickens in the same barn. One of the benefits I noticed is that the rabbits sleep in the daytime, and are up at night, and vice versa for the chickens. Both rabbits and chickens very quickly learn each other's danger calls (squawking for the chickens, thumping for the rabbits). I haven't lost nearly as many chickens to predators now that I have rabbits.

I have also noticed that the chickens quickly learn the bunny practice of putting dandelion roots in water to grow their own greens.

 

[Dukes7779]

I've kept a rabbit (3 rabbits) hide in my coop with my 18 chickens since both were young. Rabbits now live around the coop/run as they began digging very deep holes in the run. They never dug out but I got sick of following behind the rabbits and filling the holes.... Holes aside, the rabbits and chickens got along marvelously!