Geoffrey Hills, who works as a handyman at the Golden Cross Equestrian Centre, kept the animals in what RSPCA inspectors called 'filthy' conditions.
Hills, who said he had kept animals for 40 years, pleaded guilty to nine charges of failing to prevent unnecessary suffering when he appeared before magistrates in Eastbourne on Wednesday.
David Buck, prosecuting, said RSPCA inspectors visited paddocks to the rear of the equestrian centre's riding school on October 21.
Mr Buck said there were approximately 40 arks and hutches of various sizes housing various poultry. He added the conditions within them were 'very dirty'.
Inspectors revisited the site on October 26 for a better look round and vets were given permission by Hills to inspect and photograph the animals.
Mr Buck said, "There were sheds and hutches in poor state of repair with odd bits of wood nailed on to wire meshing.
"Rabbits were lying on a bed of filth, excrement and urine.
"To get to the rabbits, Hills had to remove a nailed on panel which had left them in virtual total darkness. There was no water receptacle evident."
Mr Buck said Hills told an inspector he had left the carcasses of dead poultry lying around to dissuade rats from getting at the live animals.
When questioned, Hills said he had kept the animals in crowded pens and hutches temporarily to keep them away from the rats.
He admitted their condition had got 'worse over time' and he had not sought veterinary care.
The animals were handed over to the RSPCA but 35 birds had to be put down on humane grounds.
Mr Buck said the vet who examined the animals reckoned their 'poor health and physical state' showed they had been caused 'unneccesary suffering for at least four weeks'.
Stuart Grace, defending, said Hills locked the animals away to protect them from the rats but lost track of their care after his mother became ill.
He said, "He feared for the animals' safety and locked them away. Perhaps in hindsight this wasn't the best idea.
"His mother had an aneurysm and needed care. Things got away from him and he didn't have time to clean out the cages.
"This is not a case where someone has deliberately harmed an animal. It's a case of negligence and concern at more important matters, to him at least.
"It does not please him that the animals suffered. He has been working with animals for 40 years and worked with horses in the local area for 23 years."
Hills, who gave his address as the Golden Cross Equestrian Centre, where he continues to work, was disqualified from owning or keeping animals for five years.
Magistrates told Hills he would not be able to appeal the decision for four years. They also fined him £465 and ordered him to pay £250 costs.