Rabbits and Chickens Co-Habitation?

[Acre4Me]

Curious if chickens and rabbits can coexist decently?

My tween wants a couple of rabbits. We have a 500 sq ft. chicken run for currently 12 chickens. Can the rabbits share the run and have it be successful? Would they need their own space fenced off (even within the run)? Should they just live separately?

 

[micstrachan]

We have chickens and rabbits, but the chickens seem like they would like to pummel the rabbits. I think they can live near each other, but maybe not in the and run. Heads up... in my opinion rabbits are MUCH more stinky than chickens. You will want a plan to easily remove urine-soaked litter or else have them further away from the chicken area. We converted an old trampoline into a daytime run for the bunnies and they love it!

 

[Acre4Me]

We have chickens and rabbits, but the chickens seem like they would like to pummel the rabbits. I think they can live near each other, but maybe not in the and run. Heads up... in my opinion rabbits are MUCH more stinky than chickens. You will want a plan to easily remove urine-soaked litter or else have them further away from the chicken area. We converted an old trampoline into a daytime run for the bunnies and they love it!

Thanks! Good to know!

 

[Acre4Me]

We recall visiting a farm (horses, mainly) that had an area with a few chickens and bunnies, together in one area. I think the bunnies had their hutch in the area, and the chickens seemed to pay them no mind.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Look up Joel Salatin's Racken houses. He puts his rabbits and chickens together in a house on deep bedding but the rabbits are in cages and their poop falls through the bottom and the chickens scratch it into the bedding.

 

[Suzi18]

I'm actually going today to pick up a pair of bonded bunnies and I have their hutch set up in my chicken run. I plan on letting them all roam in the run together once they are used to each other. I am using the same introduction method that I use when introducing new chickens to my existing flock. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I also think it depends on space a d flock temperament. I have a very big run and my flock is very laid back so I don't foresee any issues.

 

[aart]

I plan on letting them all roam in the run together once they are used to each other.

Bunnies can dig out.....just sayin'....keep a close eye.

 

[Suzi18]

Bunnies can dig out.....just sayin'....keep a close eye.

I have hardware cloth buried 2 ft out all the way around my run. Can they dig out that far?

 

[Acre4Me]

Bunnies can dig out.....just sayin'....keep a close eye.

Yes. Definitely one thing I was wondering about. We will have to brainstorm on that one.

 

[aart]

I have hardware cloth buried 2 ft out all the way around my run. Can they dig out that far?

Might need it inside too.
I would say it's possible tho not probable.

Yes. Definitely one thing I was wondering about. We will have to brainstorm on that one.

At one point I was reading a lot about colony style rabbit raising, containment was definitely a serious issue.
Have a buddy who raises them in tractors, digging/chewing out has happened regularly.
Wood slats on bottom of tractor are better for feet and grazing than wire mesh, but they can chew thru the wood.