Cat???

[Imp]

Quote:
Well, in that case just feed that cat to the chickens.

Imp

 

[WillieBoy]

It's been my personal experience, that some cats can and will kill a big full grown hen.My own cat doesn't bother my girls, but a feral or someones cat killed two of my full grown New Hamphire Reds last year.I busted the cat licking its chops next to the dead hen, fresh blood still flowing from her throat.I ran to the back of my property with a gun, hearing my hen screaming bloody murder. I shot the cat,it went over a 6ft fence, never saw the cat again and haven't lost anymore hens since...While it may be true most cats don't bother full grown heritage breeds,big hens, it would be inaccurate to say it doesn't happen, i know better..!

 

[NanaLantana]

Take your new cat out and show it YOUR chickens. In my experience, House cats who live there are not willing to compromise their lifestyle to tangle with a chicken who might outfight them. It would be very embarrassing and risky. Give the cat a little squeeze when you show him the chickens. He'll get the idea.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have house cats and outside cats. None of them will bother an adult chicken (even my little banty hen). Although, last fall my son's 4-month old kitten was fascinated by them and "stalked" them until one turned around and gave him the stink-eye....

 

[aggie9296]

My LARGE male tabby (18 lbs) stalked the chickens when I first got them. He got a little too close and the big mean hen pecked him. He has not bothered them since.

 

[flowergirl60]

My cat is afraid of my chickens.

 

[ranchhand]

When I had outdoor cats and free range chickens? They all played well together and shared the kitty kibble.

Even though 2 of the cats were deadly hunters, they never stalked the chickens, beyond hiding and leaping out at the hen- when the hen got all indignant and flapped/squawked, the cats all high-fived each other!

 

[Heathero617]

did you get a cat or a kitten? Kittens, up to about 18 months of age are nocternal unless you train them otherwise. They do get rowdy after dark, now if you keep said cat indoors, you shouldnt have any worries about her getting your chickens that are outside. My birds share a building with a very old calico who walks the parimeter of the pen and hangs out on the roof of the building. She can not get to them inside the building and we've not disturbed her living quarters much as shes old and set in her ways. We have a year old kitten who follows us to the pen, if chased by one of my moms dogs she'll go up the tree and hang out there, she fell into the pen once and quickly the birds rushed her and shes terrified of those big ugly things!!! But my kitten is indoors at night and the calico doesnt have it in her anymore to stalk prey...unless it is the 9lives of sorts.

 

[loot4louie]

Well fed cats= rarely a problem. I just am careful that my brooders are safe when the chicks are itty bitty.

 

[RMDelete]

hahah this is an interesting thread

I was soo scared of my cats who are 100% indoor only, they were VERY interested in the baby chicks when I had them indoors, only thing I think they would have done had I let them out is batt at the little chickies but not scratch or bite them. In my past experiences when I used to have chickens (or more like roosters) roosters really put cats in their place, they look so darn intimidating that even my Chow Chow wouldn't mess with them. Pretty much it turned out that the backyard was managed by the roosters, then the ducks, then the dogs, and finally the cats... weird... too bad i don't have roosters now

but it looks like one of my little pullets is taking the reigns and being da boss of the trio. She's pretty voluptuous and she's not even full grown yet!