Will cats kill Chickens?

Cats out here (housecats not feral) are happy to kill anything that won't kill them first. Banties and chicks are in danger. Large fowl mature birds, will put the fear of Poultry in them.

Generally, no. We have four and they all ignore the existence of our hens in fact some of them are scared.... though when they are young they can be targeted. I found by the time they reach 4 months they are too big for the cats to bother with even our huge Maine Coon doesn't bother them. I even catch our bantams chasing them sometimes, I wouldn't worry as long as they are of appropriate age.

I live in a rural area on two acres with my big dog and 30 chickens. A feral cat has been seen hanging around the property for the last two years, and I'd not thought much about it, but last summer more than just a few of my hen-brooded chicks just disappeared. Three Light Sussax and one Speckled Sussex hen remains (wings, head, tails, and feathers) were found in the field, and just this past month my entire Silkie flock was killed/taken, most beheaded, the whole dead left behind showing no obvious cause of death. Even a fairly large LS cockerel was taken. I think it is this wild cat that has got a taste for chicken, especially bantam Silkies. There are no signs of breaking and entering, no sign of anything, just dead and missing Chickens. Two of the big LS Roos turned up with bloody necks. Happens very early AMs before anyone is up. The cat is hanging about the coops now, but is leaving the larger birds alone. My dog sleeps in the Silkie coop now and seems to keep the one remaining pair safe. I am getting more chicks soon and want this cat GONE. It is way too savvy and addicted to chick and chicken killing.

Hegatha said:

My neighbors have cats and Im worried there cats might try to kill my chickens? Im not sure they ever did when I was growing up.

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Just wanted to add my own personal experience. I free range my ducks and have seen quite a few stray and feral cats walk by the yard. They usually look and keep moving. On one occasion, a larger cat got a little too close and my drake charged and pecked the poor thing so hard I heared a scared meow in the back and when i looked, the cat was running. There may be exceptions, but i don't see most cats preying on full size adult poultry

I only let my chickens free range when I'm home. One of my hens who is about 4 months old is like an alarm. Whenever there is a cat nearby she starts squacking and thats my cue to run outside. Its only happened twice but hopefully I can rely on her to make enough noise to either alert me or chase away the cat.