Cat a threat?

[gryeyes]

I have four cats, two of which are excellent hunters and the other two ain't half bad, but they're lazy. All four of them have perched on the other side of the run fence, very closely watching the chickens. Chickens are also curious, and some would come right up to the fence to peer at the cat looking back. Each and every one of my cats has then leaned over to sniff more closely, and each and every one of them has gotten a peck on the nose. Immediate retreat on the cats' part.

Now that my chickens free range, the cats walk amongst them like Ho, Hum, just another short person out here to which Mom pays attention. Lately, the two lazier cats have been demanding to stay in the run in the evenings. It worried me (I have some younger birds "growing out" in one coop) but it turned out they were hunting a mouse which has decided the spilled feed is there to support its lifestyle.

 

[RM44]

Quote:
Ha-ha! I'm at half your numbers (1 good hunter cat and 1 lazy cat), and both my cats stalk the chickens from outside the run too. Yesterday the lazy cat insisted on going in the run and since I was out there, I decided to let him in and see what would happen. Within about 30 seconds the 11 hens had that 20# cat pinned in a corner of the run and I had to wade through the chicken masses to rescue the cat to safety.

I'm sure once in a blue moon a cat might be a threat to a chicken, and I'm sure the good hunters would take out a chick every once in a while, but I seriously doubt there's much danger in a full grown cat with full grown chickens. (Well, not much danger to the chickens, that is....)

 

[smilingcat]

Our lab tried to retrieve a 7 week old brahama the other day. Stuck his nose into the run and got a big peck on his big black nose. He went running around our yard and ran into the house.

Our cats are bit more cautious. I think their curiosity is wearing off and not really paying much attention to the chicks.

 

[dchickenman]

Quote:
I thought you couldn't own ANY guns in the UK...?

 

[crossedwires]

generaly no you cant own firearms in the uk, thats why i said it was a shame we couldnt have AK's, but you can have a shotgun with a license and we also use a rim fire rifle for fox control on the farm, again you have to have a license for this in the uk and there are strict rules on there use and ownership. despite all the gun laws we have (some are totaly barmy) it still dosnt stop the odd nutter roaming the streets shooting anyone they come across as recent events here have shown.
what we realy need in the uk is sensiable gun laws but for that you need sensiable politicians...............lets face it sensiable politicians are as rare as one way ladder's, skyhook's and tins of tartan paint!

 

[dogdollar]

Well, I got a nice waterpistol......actually, more like a water shotgun...it's the Iron Man version of the Super Soaker.......loaded it up with water and lemon juice (cats DETEST the smell of lemon)...and waited.
Sure enough, here comes Gimpy stalking the little Production Reds. I caught him broadside with a tidal blast and he took off like his tail was in flames. The chookies seemed to have enjoyed the show, as there was cackling and bockbockbocking galore !!
DD

 

[RM44]

Quote:
Yep. I feel the same way about it here. Gun laws don't stop the (to steal your phrase) "odd nutter" at all. I don't want to turn this thread the wrong way, but I find your perspective interesting. I always wondered if all you guys over there were in favor of the gun laws.

I think I have heard that in Austrialia guns are prohibited too, except that you can have shotguns if you own a certain amount of property. (The shotgun is allowed to protect livestock, etc.)

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote:
I bet you enjoyed it too!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Oh I want one, have to dash to Walmart and see if they have any - then wait for the stray kitty that keeps spraying my hostas

 

[babyblue]

Quote:
Yep. I feel the same way about it here. Gun laws don't stop the (to steal your phrase) "odd nutter" at all. I don't want to turn this thread the wrong way, but I find your perspective interesting. I always wondered if all you guys over there were in favor of the gun laws.

I think I have heard that in Austrialia guns are prohibited too, except that you can have shotguns if you own a certain amount of property. (The shotgun is allowed to protect livestock, etc.)

I 100% agree. Absence of guns for the law abiding citizens is a criminals dream come true. It gives the criminals the power and strength and puts the public at a severe risk. Because even the stupidest criminal has the sense to say this house has armed people, they could shoot me. But this house has unarmed people, they could come after me with a bat or a club, but I could just shot them first.