Rabbit hutch in chicken coop?

[MattalynsBarn]

I'm wondering if it's okay to put the rabbit hutch in the fenced-in dog pen that we have for the chickens? The bottom of the hutch is about 2 feet off the ground, so the can't peck her, and the hutch is out there now so they can get used to it before there's anything alive in it. We have 9 chickens and most of them have met her when they're come in to visit. So the only concern I have is the waste. Can the chickens be around the rabbit waste? And vise-verse?

 

[dianaross77]

I have seen a few threads with pictures of rabbit hutches in chicken runs. I think it said the chickens like to "go through" the rabbit poop. I also saw a pic of a rabbit that lives loose in the chicken run and sleeps in the coop with the chickens! I think it would be fine. I'd even be tempted to let the rabbit out for a little exercise (with supervision of course) if you have an enclosed run. I bet she'd love it. And I can't imagine that it would be that much different that my rabbit being in his tractor exposed to dog poo at some point and wild bird droppings I'm sure.

eta: I'd be the most worried about your rooster.

 

[TajMahalChickens]

I think it would be fine...I have know of someone who has their rabbit hutch in the run. Not sure if that means it is ok, but they haven't mentioned any problems with it.

 

[paddock36]

I used to have rabbits and my pens were inside the run. I never had a problem and yes the chickens take care of the droppings

 

[donrae]

My chickens eat horse and goat poo, I can't imagine they'd stop at rabbit poo. They'll spread it out for you, too. I've heard of rabbits and chickens co-existing several times, no problems.

 

[Zoomom]

Just make sure the rabbit can't dig out and under the fence. Rabbits do like to dig and burrow so watch that any excavations don't provide an escape hole.

 

[DutchieWannabe]

Good news to me! i have been thinking about adding meat rabbits... so this answered a question i didn't even knew i had!!!!

 

[Upcycled]

Be careful if your chicks were vaccinated against Coccidiosis at the hatchery, as they will continue to shed the oocysts for a time. Once they are in the dirt in your yard this could endanger younger rabbits who are not benefit of such preventative medicine.

Do your due diligence with regard to sanitation and poke around for some more facts regarding the types of disease shared by poultry and rabbits.

I house my chickens in an enclosed coop and the rabbits are on the "exterior", elevated in wire cages above a common cement floor under the same shed roof. But I don't let them romp together. My rabbits NEVER touch the ground.

Do your homework first. They can live rather closely, but some situations will work better than others.

 

[Hippie Chicks Mom]

My rabbit hutch is inside the coop and works fine. I let them out when I clean the coop and only once did one of the girls look threatened by the bun, now they pretty much ignore them (rabbits). we are building a bigger coop this spring and are planning on incorporating the hutch inside. Makes for one cleaning. Much easier. They seem to all get along well.

 

[ModernGameGrl]

I would make sure the top of the rabbit cage is covered so if your chickens roost on it they don't drop fecal matter in with the rabbits as they can spread a few diseases to rabbits.