Rabbits and Chickens

[Betsy57]

Does anyone know if it would be safe for both my rabbit and chickens to be in the same fenced-in area of the yard? I have a Rhode Island Red rooster and 7 other various hens. I was thinking of moving the rabbit hutch into the chicken yard so Thumper can run around too. Thanx!

 

[DianeS]

Mine try to pick on each other, but no worse than chickens alone pick on each other sometimes. I provide places for chickens that rabbits can't get to, and places for rabbits that chickens can't get to - and it all seems to work out.

 

[Timmy]

I've heard that Coccidiosis (a common illness in chickens) is lethal to rabbits, but I've seen a lot of people keep them together without any issues.

 

[Teach97]

several discussions on this...it never ends well...

I have rabbits in the coop but in cages not roaming with the birds...that is what i do

 

[Betsy57]

I was wondering about diseases and such and compatibility with personalities. Thanx for your responses! Not sure what I will do yet.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Both poultry and rabbits get coccidiosis (as can dogs, cats, cattle, and humans), but the parasites that cause the disease are particular to one host or another. Rabbits and chickens have different body temperatures (102 degrees F for rabbits and 107 for chickens, depending on the source) so a parasite from one will have a difficult time in the body of the other.

As Teach97 said, I keep my meat rabbits in raised cages, and the chickens scratch through the manure, spilled feed, etc. underneath. I think the rabbits prefer a quieter environment than the chickens do, so I prefer to keep them separated most of the time.

Bryan

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

funny interaction between rabbits and roosters. I can totally see my Delaware boys doing this!

 

[Betsy57]

Wow! There are some really smart people out there! Thank you! I am a new "chicken lady" and my family thinks I've flipped but I am having a blast with my first batch of chickens! I have a year old Rhode Island Red Rooster, "Red", a year old Brown Leghorn "Goldie" and 6 other chickens that are 7 months old (2 each of buff orphington, black Australorp, barred rock). When these gals start slowing down or go into molt, what's the best way to ensure a continued supply of eggs? Get a new batch of chickies and raise them in the other coop? When should I do that so I can try to time things correctly?

 

[midwestchickenwrangler]

I have a Giant Angora doe living with my silkies outside. I built them a 2 story coop that the chickens (top floor) and the rabbit (ground floor) can share. They seem to get along just fine. If the rabbit gets too close to the hens, my roo will chase her for a minute then leave her alone. I have not had any problems with bullying from either the rabbit or the chickens.

 

[Betsy57]

Thanx! I think I'll give it a try!