Chickens & Rabbits Together?

chou-chou

Hi there.

We have two rabbits who have the run of the bottom of the garden - very secure, 8ft wall on three sides and a 5ft step up the the next level (with some fencing as well - these are jumpy rabbits!). Their hutches are in a large garage which sits in the corner of the plot and it is about 12ft square plus the garage. There are lots of things for them to jump on and sniff and also a shelter we built from an old coffee table, an eglu house and a small outside dog kennel for them to shelter in. Basically they come out in the morning, have the run of the garden and then go to bed at night in the garage.

We were wondering whether it would be possible to get a couple of chickens that would be outside with them in the daytime and would have their own coop in the corner of the plot at night.

I've read some conflicting information about parasites that could be transferred from the chickens but it seems that the only main risk would be salmonella. The rabbits don't have dried food in the daytime anyway - hay and greens only so there wouldn't be any problem with the chickens eating the rabbit food - what about the rabbits eating the chicken food? They would be seperate at night.

Also, I've seen rabbits and chickens living in the same enclosure at a local wildlife park/petting zoo type place and they seemed happy with each other's company. Any problems with either one picking on the other?

My parents neighbour has chickens and they never seem to make much noise - is this true for all breeds?

Fingers crossed as it would be lovely to have a couple of chickens running about!

Edit:
Thought I'd just add that of course, if we went ahead we'd do a lot more research to ensure the chickens would be happy and healthy - just want to get an idea of whether it's a good idea or not for now!

chou-chou

Come on guys - someone must have something to say!!!

louisdog

I have wondered the same thing only with guinea pigs and chickens. As far as I can tell it is not recommended because the chickens might peck the guinea pig's/rabbit's eye. I wonder whether with rabbits, they might try and mount the chickens as well?

Saying that though, I too have seen them kept together quite happily in a petting zoo, in quite a small run as well.

You could stop the bunnies getting the chicken food but having it raised off the ground where they cannot reach.

Have you got space to build a separate chicken run if it didn't work out? In that case you could try it.

Is the run grassy? Only even two chickens will strip the grass very quickly, which may not be very good for bunnies.

My chickens are quite quiet except when they have laid an egg!

Hope some of the above random thoughts might help

CLARABEL

well i wouldn't advise it. my rabbit and chickens fight like billy o when they're all free ranging. rabbit is inquisitive, but the girls hate him! they have flown at him, sat on him, pecked him, and really gone for the eyes. I thought they would be friendly, but I was so wrong! they are now alterateing the run of the garden as a result!!

clara.
x

Wine_of_the_World

Well, my old ginnie pig after loosing her friend spent the last years of her life with our chickens. Their enclosure is fairly large, and I think it was the company side of things that were most important. There was certainly no bulling from the hens - perhaps becasus their enclosure was large enough.

Our garden is in the suburbs and surrounded by houses and there is no noise issue at all - we have only hens though!

I will measure the chikens run tomorrow for you so you can get an idea of the size as I think the issue would have been different if the run had been smaller.

Spirit_2

Up until recently our bunnies and chickens free ranged together, only going to their seperate sleeping quartes at night. They had done this for a number of years. It was fantastic. Chickens would also pop round to visit our neighbour, whilst the bunnies went to visit neighbours on the other side. Our old dog and cat hung out peaceably with them too.

Trashed my plants and worked together to scoff the veg plot though..:(

vl2588

Personally I would try it and see...very carefully! Don't leave them alone until you're sure.

Chickens can be very aggressive but then so can bunnies...