Everything Pilgrim said up there about that pen on wheels is right on. Fresh grass, or even some sprouted in the house during winter is vital.

If you feed on the ground or free range you need to worm them. It will knock off the production a little, but long term it is better for the bird and the eggs.

I haven't had fowl for a while now, but when I did, I has lots of them. I'll never forget all I learned from that little hobby. It has the snowball effect if you are breeding for more than replacements.

Out here, it never gets cold enough to kill off many of the diseases like it does in the south or up north. That shouldn't be a problem unless you get pretty big on it, then you will need to do your own innoculations--especially against New Castle.

Hope this helps on the chickens. I don't do rabbits, but I do like to eat them.

Cordially

CDJ