Rabbits and Poultry

[matt14132]

Hello again,

Spring will be here soon(hopefully) and I want to raise a rabbit with my chickens to see how this would work out.

I had rabbits as a kid but they were all raised indoor and they were dwarf rabbits.
Nothing wrong with dwarf rabbits, but I could raise something larger now that I know I have the space for one.

Would love one of those huge lop eared rabbits. I think those look so cool and they are calm friendly bunnies. But are they well equipped to live outside?
Is there another type of rabbit that you might recommend instead?

Also, where would you recommend getting a nice rabbit from?
I have no more exotic pet store near me cause they just closed recently.
Maybe the SPCA would have a few nice rabbits to choose from........

 

[featheredplanets]

Would it just be a pet rabbit? I don’t have advice for meat rabbits, sorry. But pet rabbits do really need a companion unless they’re living indoors 24/7 with you, they need lots of entertainment and can get lonely and depressed alone. The RSPCA will not rehome rabbits and guineapigs if they’ll be living with or near poultry, I’d assume it’ll be the same with other animal charities? I think it’s sad they’re denying animals a home but it’s their rules and they won’t budge. Try looking for pet rabbits ‘second hand’, circumstances change and people have to rehome their rabbits, there’ll be some friendly and cheap ones out there.
Mine live outside perfectly fine, lots of hay to eat and snuggle into in winter. But that may differ depending on where you live, it never gets below -10c here so I don’t need to worry. All bunnies can live outside with the right housing. They can be quite a big commitment no matter the size or breed.

 

[Athena2344]

I'd look into a french lop,they get large and have the lop ears. I have a breeding pair of flemish giant crosses outside as well as my first litter of 5 kits, everyone does well, even with this bipolar weather we are getting here in texas

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

Spring will be here soon(hopefully) and I want to raise a rabbit with my chickens to see how this would work out.

@matt14132 Are you hoping to house this rabbit be on the ground with the chickens or in a cage above the chickens that are on the ground?

 

[BantamLover21]

Hello again,

Spring will be here soon(hopefully) and I want to raise a rabbit with my chickens to see how this would work out.

I had rabbits as a kid but they were all raised indoor and they were dwarf rabbits.
Nothing wrong with dwarf rabbits, but I could raise something larger now that I know I have the space for one.

Would love one of those huge lop eared rabbits. I think those look so cool and they are calm friendly bunnies. But are they well equipped to live outside?
Is there another type of rabbit that you might recommend instead?

Also, where would you recommend getting a nice rabbit from?
I have no more exotic pet store near me cause they just closed recently.
Maybe the SPCA would have a few nice rabbits to choose from........

Rabbits generally do just fine outside as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight, away from cold drafts/wind, and in a predator-safe hutch/enclosure. I'm not exactly sure what "huge lop eared" rabbit you're talking about; I'm guessing you mean a French Lop, English Lop, or a simply a large, lop-eared mixed breed. All have nice thick fur and can for the most part survive the cold and heat. The only possible concern I would have is them getting their long ears wet in cold weather and getting frostbite. It should be possible to minimize that, though, with proper water cups, sufficient space, and housing that is as free from drafts as possible.

You could definitely look at some local humane societies/rescues around your area for a friendly rabbit. An equally good option, though, would be trying to find some breeders of your desired rabbit breed in your area. They may be willing to sell you a quality show rabbit (even knowing it will be a pet), or they may have cheaper pet-quality animals available for sale. Naturally, not all breeders are reputable, but most are, in my experience. Many breeders will stay in contact with you and offer help down the road if you have problems with your rabbit or seek additional stock.

Domestic rabbits in general are solitary animals that don't need rabbit company. Human attention each day should suffice. Some people have success keeping pairs of spayed/neutered rabbits together, and their bonded rabbits do seem quite happy. However, I would not worry about needing to spend time with your rabbit 24/7 if you only have one.

A word of caution: raising rabbits with chickens doesn't always work. Plenty of people do it, but there is always an occasion where the rabbit attacks the chickens or vice versa. Plus, it isn't great for rabbits to eat chicken feed, so some feeding arrangement would ideally be made.

 

[featheredplanets]

Rabbits thrive and do much better with a friend. It’s unfair and unhealthy to make them live alone, especially outdoor rabbits that won’t be around you, they’re colony mammals and rely on one another, if they have a choice, they’ll never live alone, so it’s best to avoid that from the start unless advised by a vet. Imagine living by yourself not being able to talk to anyone, see anyone of your own kind. Pairs aren’t any more work than one, they’ll cost a bit more money but it’s much better for their health. You can keep them alone but they definitely need more human interaction than ‘usual’ and it’s advised for single rabbits to live indoors. They’re not solitary animals and never have been.

 

[happyhens1972]

Rabbits thrive and do much better with a friend. It’s unfair and unhealthy to make them live alone, especially outdoor rabbits that won’t be around you, they’re colony mammals and rely on one another, if they have a choice, they’ll never live alone, so it’s best to avoid that from the start unless advised by a vet. Imagine living by yourself not being able to talk to anyone, see anyone of your own kind. Pairs aren’t any more work than one, they’ll cost a bit more money but it’s much better for their health. You can keep them alone but they definitely need more human interaction than ‘usual’ and it’s advised for single rabbits to live indoors. They’re not solitary animals and never have been.

X 2 DEFINITELY!!! You only have to have a pair (or more) of rabbits to see how much they enjoy company and how much happier and healthier they are. It has been documented that lone rabbits are more prone to illness and depression. They are a colony animal and, as such, rely on each other for grooming, safety, alarm calling, company, warmth etc.

I have a pair of ginat lops...one a pure Frenchie and the other, a French cross. They live in a pen adjacent to the chickens but I have never allowed them to share space. My concerns were this....

Firstly, as mentioned, the food issue. The rabbits and chooks have very different nutritional needs and I would be worried that one or other was not met if they cohabited. They would most certainly eat each others' food and this could cause all sorts of imbalances.

Secondly, poop! The rabbits would end up with chicken poop on their feet, would groom them and ingest it. I can't believe this would be at all good for them and they do have ENORMOUS feet! Lol! That would be a lot of poop to worry about. The chickens would also, likely, eat the rabbit poops. I think this would be less harmful as they are fundamentally 'hay and vegetable pellets' but not sure if it would be a good long term thing.

Thirdly, potential wounding. Both rabbits and chickens can be VERY aggressive if provoked. Both species have very sharp claws, buns have incredibly sharp teeth and I have seen both do a lot of damage to each other. They also both have pretty delicate skin....easily torn....so I would be concerned that either one would take umbrage to the presence of the other and choose to attack....especially if you have a cockerel as it is his job to protect his girls from threat.

So, my personal decision, after much thought, was not to take the risk. They are all too precious to risk maiming or killing them and for what gain? In my case, both species have plenty of room already, without mixing them so best to leave well alone.

Are you not in a position where you could house rabbits separately? Mind you, if you have giant breeds, they need A LOT of room. They are definitely not suited to a hutch...of any size. They need a shed and run. Mine have a 2m x 1.5m Wendy house, permanently open, inside a 11m x 5m fox proof run. They come and go as they please in there and choose to spend most of the time outside.

Our weather here, in the UK, has varied from 10F to 98F over the year and they have been fine throughout. In the really cold weather, I just ensure their Wendy house is about two foot deep in straw, hay and litter and in the really hot weather, I put a shallow tray of water in the run, about three inches deep, in the shaded area, and they chose to lay in it more than once. I also provided frozen fruit blocks for them to lick at and frozen water bottles in the Wendy house to lay against if they chose.

 

[matt14132]

@matt14132 Are you hoping to house this rabbit be on the ground with the chickens or in a cage above the chickens that are on the ground?

Good question, I would've most likely raised it ground level with the chickens. I can see from some of the other responses that this might not be such a good idea.....

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I will just get a separate hutch for the rabbits and keep them separate from the chickens.

Could they all free range together during the day possibly?

 

[matt14132]

X 2 DEFINITELY!!! You only have to have a pair (or more) of rabbits to see how much they enjoy company and how much happier and healthier they are. It has been documented that lone rabbits are more prone to illness and depression. They are a colony animal and, as such, rely on each other for grooming, safety, alarm calling, company, warmth etc.

I have a pair of ginat lops...one a pure Frenchie and the other, a French cross. They live in a pen adjacent to the chickens but I have never allowed them to share space. My concerns were this....

Firstly, as mentioned, the food issue. The rabbits and chooks have very different nutritional needs and I would be worried that one or other was not met if they cohabited. They would most certainly eat each others' food and this could cause all sorts of imbalances.

Secondly, poop! The rabbits would end up with chicken poop on their feet, would groom them and ingest it. I can't believe this would be at all good for them and they do have ENORMOUS feet! Lol! That would be a lot of poop to worry about. The chickens would also, likely, eat the rabbit poops. I think this would be less harmful as they are fundamentally 'hay and vegetable pellets' but not sure if it would be a good long term thing.

Thirdly, potential wounding. Both rabbits and chickens can be VERY aggressive if provoked. Both species have very sharp claws, buns have incredibly sharp teeth and I have seen both do a lot of damage to each other. They also both have pretty delicate skin....easily torn....so I would be concerned that either one would take umbrage to the presence of the other and choose to attack....especially if you have a cockerel as it is his job to protect his girls from threat.

So, my personal decision, after much thought, was not to take the risk. They are all too precious to risk maiming or killing them and for what gain? In my case, both species have plenty of room already, without mixing them so best to leave well alone.

Are you not in a position where you could house rabbits separately? Mind you, if you have giant breeds, they need A LOT of room. They are definitely not suited to a hutch...of any size. They need a shed and run. Mine have a 2m x 1.5m Wendy house, permanently open, inside a 11m x 5m fox proof run. They come and go as they please in there and choose to spend most of the time outside.

Our weather here, in the UK, has varied from 10F to 98F over the year and they have been fine throughout. In the really cold weather, I just ensure their Wendy house is about two foot deep in straw, hay and litter and in the really hot weather, I put a shallow tray of water in the run, about three inches deep, in the shaded area, and they chose to lay in it more than once. I also provided frozen fruit blocks for them to lick at and frozen water bottles in the Wendy house to lay against if they chose.


View attachment 1266319 View attachment 1266320

GORGEOUS BUNNIES!!!

That is an awesome rabbit coop you have put together. Did you spay/neuter yours?

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

I wanted to do a colony in the beginning, but now I am definitely not an advocate for having rabbits on the ground because unlike wild rabbits, who have been exposed to mutations of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, domestic rabbits have not the same built in immunities, because they have been off the ground for something like a century and just how many generations would that be? Being on the ground especially becomes a problem when on the same ground has had poultry on it. Just to name one highly contageous issue and life threatening issue for rabbits: coccidosis. Imagine placing newborn babies in a room full of people with small pox...yeah, it could be just like that.

As to rabbits being colony animals, those who have been honest with their colony experiences would say that rabbits require a whole lot space with each having its personal territory and hiding places for that to work at all. Otherwise, be prepared to find rabbits will injure each other or even will fight to the death...and that will completely erase the pretty image of them frolicking happily together forever in your mind. Sorry.

I love my rabbits, but I am realistic about what keeps them healthy and protected from predators, and I also believe cages make for good neighbors.