Chucks & Bunnies

[daveyp]

Hi,

We have had chucks for nearly a year now and as "pets with benefits" they seem to have taken us over, but the kids (& wife) are pushing for a couple of rabbits (cuddly, cute, playful) as well as my 3 girls (independant, characterful, lay eggs, make the garden look a mess) :lol: !

Has anyone got experience of keeping rabbits and chucks in the same garden?

There's plenty of room for both and the girls are going to have their own "private" section built this year, but can they be allowed to free range together occasionally or will they need to be kept totally seperate?

Can they catch any diseases or bugs off each other? Can they be allowed onto the same communal spaces either alone or mixed?

I more concerned for the bunnies to be fair - fairly certain the girls can take care of the themselves!

Any help, advise or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Daveyp.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi
I have both bunnies and chooks and some of the chooks are fine but my cockerel thinks its his job to see off the rabbit invasion so its really a case of keeping an eye on them, some get on some don't. if they are happy to do there own thing I let them out together but I have some that I won't mix like my cockerel Gordon who does not like rabbits( most of the girls are fine). I also have a rabbit who likes to follow the girls round and get on there nerves. you'd think after a couple of pecks he'd learn but he doesnt and I'm afriad they will peck his eyes so he has a run of his own. your chooks may get on they may not. I am not aware of any reason they can't share . when the chooks go free range in the garden I sometimes let the rabbits have a run round in the chicken run as I know it is secure.

 

[Anonymous]

I must admit I tend to keep mine apart.I haven't tried them together though,so they could be fine.Must admit,I definitly prefer my chooks to my bunnies.I've also found male rabbits to be far better pets than female rabbits.

 

[elmwood]

Hi,

I am afraid my girlies win hands down over our bunny we had for 5 years. He was a terror. YES he looked adorable, cute, tiny, cuddly. He was a dwarf lop-eared. As it turned out he didn't care much for children and lunged at their ankles regularly, drawing blood. He lived for five years, free range & house trained. The most noticeable difference between the interaction of us/hens and us/bunny is the hens ability to communicate, they are so pleased to see you, clucking away. Whereas our bunny very rarely "said" anything.

If your children are young, I guess it would be very hard to undo the stereotypical image of the cute bunny, and compared to chickens I would say they are easier to keep. I don't recall having a shed full of sprays, lotions and powders etc.....

All that said I wouldn't have had it any different, Bubbles was part of our lives, and although not as rewarding, he was certainly a character.... especially when he chewed through wires in the house! children plus wives can be very determined....Good luck with your decision, choose wisely, and enjoy the experience


Sharron