Are cats real predators are just PESTS

[hallerlake]

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I absolutely agree about chicks, and should have made that clear, but a full grown chicken is pretty safe.

 

[wolftracks]

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I absolutely agree about chicks, and should have made that clear, but a full grown chicken is pretty safe.

My neighbor would tell you otherwise.

His prize winning games were attacked a while back. Two of his hens, a couple of pullets where killed or had to be put down and they even attacked the roo! Gutsy cats. He had told another neighbor that it looked like a miniature pride of lions in his yard. These are birds that are very mellow around people but very gamey and protective. Genetic fighters.

I don't think anyone should make light of others warning people about cats being preditors. Maybe your cat isn't. Maybe you get another cat down the line and it kills. It's what cats do. Most of my chicks that were killed had been tossed around and or chewed. The last ones were day olds, but it's happened before to older chicks. I have a Game hen that refused to be confined. I'd rather she was out roosting in a tree than waking the whole neighborhood. She makes such a fuss I was afraid the cops would show up one night. She's been sleeping low and a cat tried to get to her a few nights ago. She didn't come down from the roof until the next day when she finally got thirsty. I hit the door, the cat scared off and she flew.

I have a 115 pound Cane Corso that tolerates my birds. The GSD is never loose with the birds and not sure she'll ever be. I haven't had time to work her around them since she killed one, but I do keep her put up and she's in tight, so no accidents. She played with it and got too rough. I could say if you have a Corso, you can leave it with your birds wth no problem, because mine doesn't do it and add all the sarcistic and non believing hahas. But that depends on the dog, just like a cat. My dog isn't left out with them usually unless I'm out there. And I don't leave them together 24/7. She's always just ignored them, let them eat her food or whatever, but I'm not taking a chance. And I wouldn't try to convience anyone else to do it just because it hasn't happened to me. Not all dogs are hunters. But all cats are. And most dogs like the chase, so I couold never say a dog wouldn't kill a chicken.

Even cute little Puffy is capable of killing a chicken.

 

[nzpouter]

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I disagree, we're having a problem with one at the moment, a feral, in the last 5 weeks it has taken 4 ccochin bantams and 1 orpington.

 

[Imp]

I've had cats forever and chickens for years. I don't think cats are much of a predator to adult chickens. I have to protect the cats from the chickens. Nothing like seeing them take off running when the chickens are still 30 feet away.

My chickens will run the ferals off their food, and out of the yard if they wish.
I would put them in the same league as squirrels, jays, and crows. Rarely a threat.

Imp- btw, I didn't vote in your poll, cause I would vote mostly a welcome visitor.

 

[BorderKelpie]

I think for the most part, cats are just a pest (sorry cat lovers - I do have cats, tho).

I have a neutered male that was born in my DD's bedroom that will attack and kill chickens, chicks and tries for my parrots. He was raised around them and still does it. I got really aggravated with him one spring and tossed him in the run with my most aggressive roo. Stopped him for a while, but it looks like he needs a refreasher course. He's going after my D'uccles again. None of my other cats bother any of the birds, inside or out. Although, all of them will catch and eat mice. Good kitties.

I like to think that I have working cats. They are feed daily, so it's not like Machiatto is starving or anything - he's the fattest cat I've ever belonged to.

 

[dancingsquirrel]

Didn't vote because I don't consider them to be unwelcomed, just visitors. There are lots of cats(pets and feral) that pass through our yard and none of them bother either the coop area or the chickens themselves while they free range - for the most part they ignore them. We do have cats though, and the chickens are used to them, so maybe that makes a difference?
Dogs, however...

 

[write2caroline]

I have feral cats and they prey on the wild birds, rats and other creatures. I have had them try to go after the younger chickens but a few shots with the water gun and then the chickens were bigger and the cats stopped. The cats are always in the run and they drink from the chicken waterers and I have never had an injury or loss from the chickens, the Roo has gone after cats and run them off. My cats act as protectors of the chickens and sometimes sleep in the nest boxes with the chickens.
Caroline

 

[aoxa]

Three cats watch over our chickens. They are very WELCOMED guests in my opinion. Now if they were strays, maybe I would reconsider.. But my tom cat, Dexter, is nearly 20 pounds (part Maine Coon), and he protects them! Honest to god!

Sometimes they will chase him away. The neighbour's cat also watches with curiosity, but would never hurt them.

 

[lauralou]

I've never lost a chicken to a cat. My cats have always been perfectly well behaved around the chickens. Even tiny chicks are safe from my cats.

But I do consider strange cats to be dangerous predators.

 

[aoxa]

Cats just do what comes naturally.. If they are hungry, they hunt.. If your chickens are well protected with their run, then you should have nothing to worry about. Feed the stray cat if it's hungry.. I'm way more concerned about dogs than cats.