Adding a Cat to the Coop

[GoslingRanch]

We are preparing to add a cat to our 1500 sq ft coop. I couldn't find anything directly related to it, so I thought I would ask. What is the best way to prevent the chickens from eating the cat food so the cat doesn't go hungry?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's best to give the cat a place of it's own, and put a cat door in so it can come and go.

 

[nuthatched]

I don't think that's a great idea, the constant chicken dander and thilth would be hard on a cat.

 

[KRack]

Agreed with the others. Also, depending on age and personality of the cat, it may have a field day chasing chickens like my young rescue did. Can’t imagine that happening in an enclosed area.

 

[Pukkits]

I think this can be done in very specific scenarios, also depending on the cat. In many cases, the cat could be miserable, or harass the chickens.

My thoughts: the cat needs it's own space with a flap to the chicken area. Like a kitty house, it's own catio/fenced enclosure toplay that has no chicken poop, bathroom and feeding space, all of which need to be not accessible to the chickens. You should also talk to a vet about bird feces and cat health, as well as what happens if the chickens access a cat turd.

A rooster could seriously injure a cat.

Most cats I've met would only patrol a chicken area while the chickens are asleep. Would that work for your plan?

It needs to be the right cat. Many rescues have barn cats or feral cats that cannot be returned to their previous location that might work. I think a human friendly cat would be very unhappy in this working cat scenario.

Cats are a sensitive topic, as many of us are very close with our domestic cats that would be super unhappy with this job. A feral cat may not be though. I admit I've been putting off repairing a small hole near the roof of our chicken run, as a small feral cat sneaks in and kills mice for me at night. She's very wild, though after two years she will unbend enough to demand food from me by sitting in the open and glaring. The only time I've been closer than six feet to her was when we trapped her to have her spayed. She weighs 5lbs. She does not want to be domestic, but likes free food and hunting. If you can find a cat like that, it might work.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Terrible idea, cats constantly lick their paws, covered in chicken poop if they live in a coop. Expect it to need re worming regularly.

The correct way to deal with mice is to control the feed. Just do a forum search using rats and chickens, this topic has been discussed hundreds of time with tons of info out there already.

 

[McChooky]

Cohabitating as one in a coop? It would likely die from respiratory infections

 

[GoslingRanch]

Last night, we put two of our cats into the coop. One made it out within hours. The other was out the next morning. Clearly, there are places where skunks and raccoons could get in if the dogs didn't keep them away.
We keep our feed off the ground by about ten inches. Low enough for the hens to reach and high enough to discourage mice from finding it. We haven't seen much rodent activity in our coop/run.
BTW, our coop/run is 1500 square feet, so a cat wouldn't feel cramped in there, but we agree that the cat needs a way to get away from the chickens when necessary.
As far as cat-chicken fights, what I read is that neither really wants to tangle with the other, unless the cat were starving, which we prevent. In that scenario, the cat has the advantage against one chicken, but with two roosters, the cat probably wouldn't try anything, certainly not just for fun. If there is easier prey and plenty of cat food, the cat should leave the chickens alone.

 

[McChooky]

Last night, we put two of our cats into the coop. One made it out within hours. The other was out the next morning. Clearly, there are places where skunks and raccoons could get in if the dogs didn't keep them away.
We keep our feed off the ground by about ten inches. Low enough for the hens to reach and high enough to discourage mice from finding it. We haven't seen much rodent activity in our coop/run.
BTW, our coop/run is 1500 square feet, so a cat wouldn't feel cramped in there, but we agree that the cat needs a way to get away from the chickens when necessary.
As far as cat-chicken fights, what I read is that neither really wants to tangle with the other, unless the cat were starving, which we prevent. In that scenario, the cat has the advantage against one chicken, but with two roosters, the cat probably wouldn't try anything, certainly not just for fun. If there is easier prey and plenty of cat food, the cat should leave the chickens alone.

A chicken coop is filthy place for a cat