Barn Cats?? -- It happened fast!

[TT]

The first time I took the little ones outside as soon I closed their little fence and turn to sit in my chair my momma yard cat stuck her paw through the fence and grabbed one. She got a quick lesson and lurked around for a while, but gave up. So far she hasn't attempted to get at any of the chicks or chickens now that they all live out in their coop/pen.

My parents have barn cats and their chickens are never locked up - their cats don't seem to bother chicks or grown ones.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
And a feather to pick her teeth with when she's done!!

 

[Akane]

Even my very good birder who comes in with crows and such decided a nearly full grown bantam was not worth the effort. Now with the chicks I would trust my akita before that cat but the adult birds she won't go near. That silly little roo will charge even an 80lb dog so I'm sure he's set the cat straight a time or 2. All you need is one mildly agressive grown chicken and most of the cats seem to change their mind on hunting chickens.

 

[the1much]

i have 4 or 5 "yard cats" they sleep eat and play with my birds,,1 of the kittens batted at 1 once,, as i showed the other cats that were watching, that they REALLY hate being dunked in a pail of water,,, we've all had the understanding, that the cats are like my birds,, you either pay your way,, or be dinner

 

[Chicken Boo]

My cat is 14 years old. She pretty much ignores the adult birds. When I got my first batch of chicks in June, she checked them out and looked at me as if to say, "What have you brought home now????" She was unimpressed and has pretty much ignored the chickens of all ages. I think she has decided her hunting days are over. I have seen her sunning herself in the driveway in the company of a few squirrels and rabbits.

 

[mikefromnh]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to pick up a 17 week old rooster tomorrow to help keep an eye on the girls. Until they are full grown I will be careful when the cat is around and offer her plenty of other food.

 

[mgibbzzz]

Our 6 month old kitten only started comming outside about a month ago. Our girls are 7 months old. Princess will stalk and watch the girls and every once in a while try to pounce on one, but then you see her hi-tailing it outta there with a ticked off hen or two after her! She had a place on her ear last week where Matilda snatched her. (She likes to sit under the nesting box and swat up at them and listen to them bwakk!, but when they have enough they will get down and peck at her.) When Buck and Chuck are around, though she stands clear.

 

[rooster0209]

My barn cats ignore the chickens. I wouldnt trust them around small chicks though. Once the birds grew the cats are not interested. It is funny to watch the "bossy hen" show the cat who is boss.

My chickens and guineas free range all day. I have not had a problem with my cats bothering them. The younger birds are still locked in the coop

 

[chad]

We have no cats in our family, neither my wife nor I feel a need or desire for 'em around the place. We do have a number of feral cats around that a neighbor has irresponsibly allowed to be bred.

We also have 6 dogs, two of which are Great Pyrenees who are in the barn and attached paddock 24/7. One day last spring my wife went out to discover that a feral cat had gotten into the paddock, after our broiler chicks in the barn, and our GP grump Ceri had turned him into a fly buffet. Good dog! I brought her home a small steak as a reward...

 

[ChanceRider]

I have about 8 mostly barn cats (all have been trapped, spayed/neutered) that are free to roam our property at will. They are in either the barn or basement at night and are very well fed. They still hunt though, and while can be held and petted, they still have hunting instincts.

A couple of years ago I was working out in our home gym and saw one of my barn cats, "Trouble", stalking something just out of my view. I leaned over to look out the window just in time to see Trouble jump on a full grown turkey's back! A week later... same scenario, only this time he tried to pounce on a small doe!

So, as much as my cats are "pets", I will always keep the birds locked up when Troubbie is out, or keep Troubbie locked up while the birds roam. Cats will be cats... besides, I appreciate that my cats hunt and keep down the mice, rat, and vole population.