can chickens defend themselves

[tongacat]

right now i have small chicks. but when they get to adults i want them to roam free in the yard. the problem is, our neighbors have cats. so i was wondering if the chickens can defend themselves.
also, they might be able to fly into other people's yards... and if they do, will they come back?
thanks

 

[elevan]

My cats don't mess with my chickens. I'm not sure if it's their size or if the chickens have given the cats a 'what for'.

My chickens free range in the main pasture and one day they found a hole in the fence small enough for them to get out. They couldn't figure out how to get back and I had to "rescue" them. I also have one hen that will fly over the fence into the hay area of the barn and can't figure out how to get back out until I open the gate for her. So if yours fly over the fence you may have to go collect them.

 

[bufforp89]

My cats dont bother my full grown chickens. They are just too big. And if they have a solid, secure, dry coop they should always come back no matter how far they stray.

 

[Carols Clucks]

We have never had a problem with cats and chickens once they are grown. We only have LF.

But thinking that they can protect themselves against what they might find in a neighbors yard is wrong. It could be dogs or a mad neighbor who does not want YOUR chickens ruining their yard. You need to make sure that your chickens are happy and secured in your yard.

Also, if the neighbors also have chickens, they might consider yours a bio security hazard and be really unhappy with you!