Rabbit living with flock?

[blondie34]

Hi there! I’ve seen pictures online and on blogs of rabbits living with chickens.. I just got a rabbit and am working on socializing him with our flock before putting him in with them full time. We have a 12x12 coop with an attached 40x50 backyard enclosed run area..

I've seen people with sand floors in their coop and wanted to know if a rabbit would be okay with that and what the clean up routine would look like since rabbits tend to go to the bathroom wherever and whenever they please

.... Ideally I’d like to switch to a sand floor in our coop (we use straw now) but am still doing some additional research. Also, I know rabbits tend to be prone to a lot of respiratory issues which makes me wonder about the dust from the sand and dust that the chickens create.. how could I combat this? I know this is a loaded post so I appreciate any input/advice you can give me!

 

[GitaBooks]

Sounds like a good idea!

I'm not sure if sand is safe or not, but I can say that we ha a rabbit and she was litter-box trained! She was really smart and bossy, I really loved her. However, if your rabbits haven't learned to use the bathroom in a litter box, you could try the sand. Could you try wood chips (just a question)?

Sorry I can't help more. Best of luck!

 

[Free Feather]

Rabbits typically use the bathroom in a chosen corner, but I guess there are always exceptions.

I think it is a great idea so long as they have plenty of room and things to keep them occupied. I have had rabbits free range around chickens, but never together contained. Just watch for bullying.

 

[Jjfester]

I have seen many people who have rabbits with their chickens. I was wondering, is there a reason they usually have both or is it just people wanting rabbit and chicken meat to eat?

Just curious.

 

[tamberchick]

I would not encourage it. The chickens can bully the rabbit, and they have different nutritional needs, like rabbits need to have Timothy hay all the time.

 

[Free Feather]

I have seen many people who have rabbits with their chickens. I was wondering, is there a reason they usually have both or is it just people wanting rabbit and chicken meat to eat?

Just curious.

I am vegan. I do it because I like to see both species running around, and I have limited space.

Some do it for...permaculture? But their systems are really no better for the animal typically, like where they rabbits are still stuck in hutches with the chickens "cleaning" up the droppings underneath.

 

[Free Feather]

I would not encourage it. The chickens can bully the rabbit, and they have different nutritional needs, like rabbits need to have Timothy hay all the time.

If they both share a very large pasture or are free range, it can work. They typically will not bother each other if they have lots of space, and the chicken feed can be up where the rabbits will not reach. If the chickens have greens, they will not bother the timothy.