/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

Are cats a major predator of chickens?

Discussion in 'Predators and Pests' started by Mallory8502, Jul 26, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 26, 2014 #1
    Mallory8502

    Mallory8502 Chirping

    75
    11
    53
    Apr 26, 2014
    I sometimes put my chickens out in tractors while I am home during the day, and I was wondering if a cat would dig under the frame to get to them? I don't worry much about other predators since my yard is fenced to keep dogs out and I would never leave them in a tractor at night. Just wondering since the cat population is getting out of control with multiple stupid neighbors feeding strays but not getting them fixed. One was stalking around their run yesterday stressing them out. I know the run is secure and it could not get in but just them being stressed made me really angry and made me wonder how safe they are in the tractors. If you have had problems with cats how did you deal with it?
     
  2. Jul 26, 2014 #2
    ChickenCanoe

    ChickenCanoe Free Ranging 7 Years

    24,632
    7,175
    627
    Nov 23, 2010
    St. Louis, MO
    They aren't a major predator of adult large fowl but they can and will kill if they're hungry. They'll take chicks and possibly bantams just for the fun of it.

    https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261440/the-worst-predator

    They will stress them out but they normally won't dig. Dogs and foxes will dig. A fox can easily jump a very high fence.
    Raccoons, mink and weasels, though normally nocturnal may be afoot during the day. A raccoon can climb virtually anything. The mink and weasels don't need to since they can squeeze through a 1" opening.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: