We have a bunch of barn cats that run loose all over the area with our chickens and they do not mess with them. The chickens do not mess with the cats either unless I throw bread or something and the cats go for it and the chickens are going for it. *L* Then we have had a chicken go to peck at...
Our chickens were around 3 when they died also. Not very old but they stopped laying eggs sometime ago. The one we have now is the only one that was laying eggs and she is still laying them. She looks good. The other ones did look alittle on the puffy side. Especially their upper legs.
I know what your going through. We had a total of 6 hens but we are down to 1 hen and our rooster. We are not sure what is happening or why they are dying. They look like they have runny poo but and they were not laying eggs. They were getting layer crumble and fresh water. I cleaned the house...