Rabbits and Chickens Co-Habitation?

[Acre4Me]

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

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.

Good to know. Hmmm.... we've considered putting bunnies in another area, under a large tree. They would be shaded, but more confined. In this scenario, I could buy larger fencing (1x2 or so). They wouldn't be able to get out, and larger predators couldn't get in, but would require more building and materials.

Within the run, we plan to better fortify it anyway. Predators have not found us yet, but we need to improve the overall security. Currently, the inside edge of the run (fenced in with chain link) has 16x16 pavers around most of the perimeter edge. We think we may do the same on the outside, but have to even out, elevate the ground on the outside of the run first. Since we need to do work in the run area, including the exclusion of digging predators, we figured adding a couple of bunnies in the mix here would be easier than trying to carve out a new area for them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

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

I have one area where my bunnies are on gravel. They sure can dig, especially the females. Some do it more than others. The can easily dig a foot or two in an hour, so it will all depend on your bunnies. The good thing about bunnies is they don't often go far when they escape, at least mine haven't.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally keep some rabbits in my same shed as my chickens but they are kept separately. Both chickens and rabbits can be affected by pasturella, so it's possible to make the other species sick if one is carrying it. In bunnies it's often call snuffles, and in chickens fowl chlorea. So be aware of that danger.

 

[Acre4Me]

I personally keep some rabbits in my same shed as my chickens but they are kept separately. Both chickens and rabbits can be affected by pasturella, so it's possible to make the other species sick if one is carrying it. In bunnies it's often call snuffles, and in chickens fowl chlorea. So be aware of that danger.

I should quarantine any bunnies I bring in then? If so, how long should I quarantine? And once deemed healthy after quarantine, is there a continued risk of this illness if no new animals are brought in?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I should quarantine any bunnies I bring in then? If so, how long should I quarantine? And once deemed healthy after quarantine, is there a continued risk of this illness if no new animals are brought in?

I personally haven't dealt with the disease. My understanding from reading is that rabbits can carry it and don't show symptoms until some stressor sets it off. I think if the breeder stock is healthy you can assume the kits are, but with any diseases you just never know what an individual is carrying or what they are immune to. I don't think it happens often.

 

[Acre4Me]

I personally haven't dealt with the disease. My understanding from reading is that rabbits can carry it and don't show symptoms until some stressor sets it off. I think if the breeder stock is healthy you can assume the kits are, but with any diseases you just never know what an individual is carrying or what they are immune to. I don't think it happens often.

Good to know. I’ll have to do a little research in advance then.