are 7 week old chicks safe from cats?

[chickst]

We have 3 7-week-old chicks free ranging in the yard (not very big). Twice or three times a day there's a cat walking on the fence checking out our chicks. We scare the cat away if we see it. But we can't always be there.

We read somewhere chicks at this age should be safe from cats. Is that true?

 

[LeezyBeezy]

I would say no. A cat could pull down a chick that size, IMHO. Good luck!

 

[woodmort]

Depends on the cat. I've had them kill chicks that were just feathered but leave fully feather birds alone. I'd be careful if the cat is a good hunter.

 

[axion_lotus]

That's a big, booming, resounding NO! Cats are very sadistic, patient, cutthroat hunters and can easily bring down prey twice their own size. Never underestimate the killing power of a cat. They're the ultimate hunters.

That's why my housecat gets tossed out of the kitchen ANY time I see her skulking too close to the brooder. Yes, I have no qualms with throwing a cat (not TOO roughly, just enough to get the point across). There is also a heavy gate on top of the brooder that's too heavy for her to move, and too high for her to stick a paw through. If I hear one loud peep during the night I am up out of that bed in two seconds and checking on those chicks!

I love my cat, but I will protect my chicks at all costs.

 

[Cass]

Is it your cat? If it is, they stand a chance if you give it a good talking to. If it's not? The chicks don't stand a chance. Wing the cat with a beebee gun to get your point across.

 

[chickst]

Thanks for your kind replies.

That is not our cat. It is likely one of the neighbor's in our community but not stray cat.
Looks like we better take some action.....aiya.....

 

[Carrie Lynn]

I've seen cats with large squirrels and even a raven.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've caught my neighbors cat standing next to a pen of POL DP pullets licking its lips and eyeing for a way in.

 

[SpeedysBigRed]

No!

 

[ailurophile23]

I agree - it's a resounding NO! I love my kitties but I still watch them closely even when they get around my full grown chickens. Cats don't seem to care if their prey appears larger than them. We've had some success with paintball guns as a deterant for wayward neighborhood cats - doesn't break the skin or cause infection but leaves a goopy mess on their flank.