Can you keep chickens with rabbits?

[SamanthaFox]

Not in the same house, or anything, but I mean in a free range area? Our area is about 30ft wide and 30-40ft long.

There are four chooks and 3 small rabbits.

Normally I put the rabbits in a run on the lawn, totally separate from the chickens - but would like them to share the space if possible.

I understand about keeping the chickens out of the rabbit hutch, because of pooing on the rabbits' food, but do I need to worry about any other issues? Will they attack each other?

We keep one rabbit in with 5 ducks and around 11 chickens (most are large pure breeds) and a huge Orpington rooster. The rabbit rules the roost and they all get on great. Our chicken have a children play house to live in and then inside that the rabbit has its cage with its food and water bottle in. Have to admit they all share food. The chickens do love the rabbit food although we found the brown nugget stuff they are not quite so attracted to and we sort of feed the rabbit in the morning then nearly shut the door the chickens can't get in but the rabbit can eat in piece and then push the door open when she is ready. There hasn't been a single peck at her and they all get on really well. It looks quite nice having them all running around together too. You have a lovely large run so I say go for it. Preferably put them intogether at the beginning of a day when you will be around a lot so you can keep a close eye on them. Lots of treat like hanging cabbages etc to distract them too!

Thankyou - it sounds like a lovely set up there! Might try it then, if we feel brave...

They haven't ever been in that part of the garden - it is currently just for the chickens. So does that mean they are likely to adjust OK? They didn't like the guinea pigs going in their run, there was nipping, so took them out fast!