Rabbits in a duck coop

[kmlj9491]

Hey guys and gals, I got my duck coop built this weekend but it now takes up t he area I had set aside for rabbits. Would it be okay to still put my rabbit cages imside the coop? If tgats a stupid question you can tell me because I don't know

 

[GentFarmer]

I don't know yet about ducks, but I can tell you that my chickens and rabbits do well in proximity to each other. While they are not "in" the coop proper, the cages where my does kindle and raise their litters is just outside the coop in a shared run. The chickens love scratching for any feed the rabbits drop or spill (and yes, being chickens, they also eat rabbit droppings, which, hey...it's hay!), and the rabbits are curious about the chickens.

The only thing I would caution against is potential overheating. Rabbits, like chickens, can really heat up a small space. In some areas, rabbits are kept in greenhouses as a source of keeping plants warm. Ventilation, in other words, is crucial. If you think a down coat is defense against the cold, just imagine the fur on a rabbit, which can keep them warm well below 0.

 

[veronicasmom]

My ducks and rabbits share a large shed, divided by a wire fence inside it. But they have separate "play areas". We live in ME so it gets COLD. The rabbits have a heated resting pad, while the ducks have extra straw to snuggle down into.If you use pine shavings in your duck area, be aware they are not recommended for rabbits, they can cause respiratory issues. I also have heated water bowls for each species. The ducks are sooooooo messy that I don't recommend housing them together unless you can provide good ventilation and the rabbits can have a clean place to themselves. I personally do not believe in hutches, so my rabbits have a litter box in the shed. This set up allows me to make sure no one's water is fouled by feces. And believe me, ducks are very imaginative about messing up their water.

 

[GentFarmer]

Hey guys and gals, I got my duck coop built this weekend but it now takes up t he area I had set aside for rabbits. Would it be okay to still put my rabbit cages imside the coop? If tgats a stupid question you can tell me because I don't know

Oh, there is an issue here about bedding, as many pine shaving offerings can cause respiratory issues with rabbits. Also, realize that rabbits poop and pee a LOT, which combined with ducks, might lead to a damp environment. Just something to keep in the back of your mind as you make decisions about how to proceed.