crtrlovr
Still chillin' with my peeps
Am new to chickens & BYC, but not new to cats! My cats leave my outside chickens & guineas alone (sometimes I have to scold the chickens & make them leave the CATS alone!), and have 8 baby chicks inside the house with the 8 cats (who spend most of their time inside, but do go out for a while on pretty days). Since we also have pet birds inside, the cats are used to them walking around and know to leave them alone. The chicks do bring out the curiosity in the cats, though, and I would not leave them alone in a room together unprotected. Instinct is very strong, and though they've been around birds for years now, when my tiny society finches flutter, the cats will "twitch" and watch them with such intensity they forget momentarily where they are, and what Momma has told them about small birdies...
Yes, you can have cats & chickens, but make sure your babies are protected until they can hold their own or at least bluff the cat, and make sure your cat knows you will protect the chickens, and that they're to be left alone. Use a spray bottle or whatever means works better for you to discipline the cats when they show the first sign of intent (raised paw, leaning head over into brooder, watching too intently for too long, etc., etc.,) you'll know b/c you know your cat(s) better than anyone else. Hope all goes well for you & yours!
