cat around chickens

[bambi]

Hi, new at this so not sure what to do. I have 2 BO and 3 RIR and a RIR rooster. They are 8 weeks old and I am not sure if I can trust the cat around them yet or if there will be a time ever. I have 2 border collies that are protective of the chicckens and the cat has experienced 1 of the border collie's wrath he is still sporting a bald spot and if I hadn't been there the cat would have been dead so now I am afraid that the cat might try for the chickens again and I might not get there before the dog does and she will kill him. I hope someone has a answer to this because I really really love them all. The cat will only use the bathroom outside doesn't like the litter box so keeping him indoors is not a option.

 

[zatsdeb]

our cats don't bother the chickens at all, now a small chick is another thing... I wouldn't let the chicks run around, but once they get bigger, at least our cats don't bother them, and we have our neighbors cats that come to visit too, they don't seem to mind the chickens either. Our guineas chase the cats, and our bunny rabbit when he is running loose chases the chickens and ducks.

 

[Papadavid]

I think when they get 3 or 4 months old, they will be alright. We have a cat and chickens and no problem. Especially when the roo gets a little bigger the cat will stay away after he gets flogged a time or two!! Good luck.

 

[bambi]

Good to know. This is a relief now I have to convince the dog it is ok that the cat is close to the chickens.Thanks for your help

 

[Papadavid]

I have a 135# dog, half blood hound and half boxer. He bounces on his front paws like he is going to get the chickens just to see them run. when they quit, he quits!!

 

[JestersEye]

Neither of our two cats has ever bothered our chickens, even as chicks. They do like watching "chicken TV" sometimes, but if the birds ever come too close, the cats dash for a higher vantage point... like the "fraidy cats" they are! Our female cat will sometimes let tiny chicks explore near her favorite sleeping spot, as long as they behave themselves. She's very nurturing and loving toward all our small "critter" pets, and has never shown even the slightest hunting tendencies.

Our dogs also happen to be good with our chickens, although I would still be cautious with them around very young birds. We often brood chicks in the house so they spend a lot of time getting used to their antics. We have two female Jack-Chi's that don't pay much mind to the chickens, for the most part; but our female black Lab/Husky mix is more interested in loving on the baby chicks, as well as "helping" us when we collect eggs. At times, we've also encouraged her to help us search for missing birds whenever the need arises. She's a large "moose" of a dog, so we're careful to keep her calm as she interacts with young chicks; because she could easily hurt them by accident, in her intense enthusiasm to lick and play with them.

Edited because I can't stand spelling and/or grammar errors!

 

[bambi]

lol,That is a very large dog.

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
Oh yeah... She can be such a "bull in a china shop" when that tail is wagging, too!

 

[bambi]

The cat and dog look happy with your chicks. cute picture. Thanks for sharing maybe I need to show this to the dogs and cat.

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
LOL By all means, show away! I hope they can follow the example set by our pets around here. I won't even go into the group "snuggle sessions" we have when I take the bunny, guinea pig, or hedgehog out for attention. Our "Cutey Cat" is truly remarkable! She seems to absolutely adore a wide variety of furry and/or crawly critters. In fact, she likes them better than she does our male cat... but then, he can be quite ornery when he wants to be.