Breeds of hens that could deter / stand off to a feral cat?

[Sire12]

I have 3 hens in my yard 2 medium sized hybrids and one sliver laced orpington, there hasn't been any trouble so far with predators or anything but in the past couple months I've seen a feral cat or 2 nearabouts, I can't keep roosters to fight or scare off any cats so are there any breeds in which the hens could be defensive and stand offish to cats? If I get another large breed like a Jersey giant or australorp would that deter feral cats because of their size? Thanks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

Cats aren't usually a problem for full grown chickens. If they had chicks, that would be a different story.

My hens will walk right past the feral cats and not even blink.

Your silver laced Orp should be good sized. I would think Australorp would be the same size. But if you just want other breeds, maybe....

Good luck!

 

[ejcrist]

I have 3 hens in my yard 2 medium sized hybrids and one sliver laced orpington, there hasn't been any trouble so far with predators or anything but in the past couple months I've seen a feral cat or 2 nearabouts, I can't keep roosters to fight or scare off any cats so are there any breeds in which the hens could be defensive and stand offish to cats? If I get another large breed like a Jersey giant or australorp would that deter feral cats because of their size? Thanks

Another option for down the road is to keep breeds that are good at eluding predators such as Brown Leghorns or other Mediterranean/flighty breeds.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

I have 3 hens in my yard 2 medium sized hybrids and one sliver laced orpington, there hasn't been any trouble so far with predators or anything but in the past couple months I've seen a feral cat or 2 nearabouts, I can't keep roosters to fight or scare off any cats so are there any breeds in which the hens could be defensive and stand offish to cats? If I get another large breed like a Jersey giant or australorp would that deter feral cats because of their size? Thanks

My Jersey Giants are as large as most feral cats and I have never had any problems of a feline nature. Best wishes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Another option for down the road is to keep breeds that are good at eluding predators such as Brown Leghorns or other Mediterranean/flighty breeds.

Ya, crazy that going the complete opposite way and getting lighter/flightier breeds is actually another good option.

Nice thinking outside the box.

 

[Sire12]

Ah ok thx all, so larger breeds DO deter them thats what I wanted to know, perfect il definately be getting a Jersey giant or two when some show up

Ejcrist the only thing is I need birds that are heavy and not able to fly over my gate, I have to wing clip the 2 medium sized birds but the orp has trouble even getting up to her roost so I leave her be, so il go with the heavier breeds I hear jerseys and australorps are more friendly with people is a huge factor for me too I got the orp hoping that she'd myb let me pet her or pick her up some day but I've had her 5 months now and she's still skittish they will all eat out of my hand though so that's cool

Good to know all that info anyways

 

[donrae]

I've had problems with a barn cat killing chicks on and off. He seems to top off at the 5-6 week mark. He's never bothered an adult hen of any breed, and that includes my bantam Cochins and Silkies.

For overall hardiness and predator savvy, I'm not sure you can beat the classic game birds. I had a broody game hen battle with a fox, up and down the driveway for a good hundred feet. Sure, the hen would have preferred to run away, but she had the clutch to protect and she took that to heart.

 

[ChippieChicken]

I have an Ameraucana and a Minorca who liked to gang up chase one of my cats when they were pullets. Even treed her at one point. I think they did it mostly for S's & G's.

I agree that Mediterranean breeds are good to look at for predator evasion, as they tend to be alert. I haven't had Brown Leghorns yet myself (hope to one of these years!), but my Black Minorca hens have been good layers and officers of the peace. They're the most aloof of my chickens, but quick to notice trouble or rush to help. Lately they were policing our young rooster, and, along with my black turken (whom I think they see as an honorary Minorca), would actually kick him off hens when he got rapey.

 

[ejcrist]

Ah ok thx all, so larger breeds DO deter them thats what I wanted to know, perfect

il definately be getting a Jersey giant or two when some show up

Ejcrist the only thing is I need birds that are heavy and not able to fly over my gate, I have to wing clip the 2 medium sized birds but the orp has trouble even getting up to her roost so I leave her be, so il go with the heavier breeds I hear jerseys and australorps are more friendly with people is a huge factor for me too I got the orp hoping that she'd myb let me pet her or pick her up some day but I've had her 5 months now and she's still skittish

they will all eat out of my hand though so that's cool

Good to know all that info anyways

Roger that. Yeah the Leghorns are real escape artists and wouldn't have any problem flying over any fence no matter the height.

One other thought, I don't know if you got your birds from a hatchery or not but my SOP Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, and RIR's are much, much larger than my layers from the hatchery. I seriously doubt any cat would want to tangle with a bird bred to the SOP. If you can locate a breeder and get pullets or chicks from an SOP line they'd more than likely be quite a bit more robust than what most people are used to seeing and you could still have the breeds you like best. Just a thought.

 

[Sire12]

Lmao when he got rapey

they sound badass, Minorcas look gorgeous too! I hope I can locate some over here