Cat problem?

[MinnetonkaBoater]

Yes, I would just wait and see. Our last batch of chicks were only about 4 weeks and he left them alone, but he had already seen 4 grow, so it wasn't anything new. Tigger is indeed a superhunter, we find leftovers often. Not too keen on his eating small rabbits, but have no problem with him keeping the rodent population down. We have some good friends with 3 pullets, and 4 cats, and they have no issues either. Chicken run their yard for hours a day, and actually chase the cats. When we saw the girls go after a squirrel we almost fell out of our chairs with laughter.

 

[Patoot]

Well, the test didn't go well. Twice we tried to bring the cat over and twice she was so ticked she just tried to run away. Yesterday I got her to the backyard, but I have to go through my house to do it and she was hissing at me and scratching. I got to the back and she couldn't have cared less about the chickens and just ran away and hopped the fence back to her yard. Today we put her on a leash and she was just ticked about the leash. I brought her right up to the chickens and she just kept trying to run home. The owner was of little help. They are weird in general. Anyway, he is definitely of the mindset that it's not his responsibility to deal with his cat asked why I let the chickens out (Did they need exercise or something?). Dork. So when I took her off the leash, she just ran home again.

I'm hoping two unpleasant experiences in my backyard are enough to deter her. Plus it was clear the chickens are bigger than her when placed next to each other.

I don't know that I can get a good test. I think I'll just put up some wire fencing to deter her and lower her motivation for coming over, and then hope for the best with the assumption that she has little interest in pouncing them and now hates my yard.

Bree

 

[lleighmay]

You may be right- the unpleasant (for her) desentization project may have made her so mad she'll never come back. I have barn cats (mine) and feral cats (not mine) in the neighborhood. My cats sunbathe in the run with the chickens, sleep on the roof of the coop, and occasionally lounge in the coop when the door is open. They enjoy chicken snacks as much as the chickens do. They don't bother the birds and the birds don't pay any attention to them. None of the feral cats come around the coop/pen area at all (at least that I've seen). Maybe my cats drive them away. Maybe it's due to the JRTs that are usually out in the yard during the day, or they may just have their own routines. In reality my smallest (read wimpiest if there is such a thing) JRT is sortof afraid of the chickens so maybe my girls are just MEAN and SCARY. I should say that my hens are all full-grown, and I don't allow chicks out without being mostly grown or under parental protection/guidance (or being in a covered pen). Knock wood, I've been lucky so far. Good luck to you too.