Cats after chickens?

[southerndesert]

You will have many cat owners tell you they have never had a problem, but that is simply because it hasn't happened yet in many cases and some cats just are not interested in adult birds.

That said we have lost chicks as well as pullets to cats and their presence worries our hens.

We do not have cats, but do not hate them unless irresponsible owners allow them to run free in the neighborhood and onto our property.

We deal with them as predators.....

 

[LT]

Quote:
That is hilarious! I think our cat is naturally curious, and I don't really think she would intentionally hurt them, but I am afraid they will spook her and she will react.

 

[BooBear]

Cats are predators and if the cat thinks it can take a chicken it will try it. Usually cats learn to avoid adult chickens; however, younger chicks make an easier target that can be carried off.

It really depends on the cat as to whether it will go for it or not. I had a big male cat , Baby, that if given the chance would go for an adult sized chicken. Baby was only allowed outside when the chickens were up.
On the flip side the outside cat at the time was afraid of the chickens.

 

[jtbrown]

Our cat initially stalked our chickens when we let them free range, then red the rooster squared off with him and stalked the cat. THat was on confused orange tabby boy.

Now the orange tabby hangs out with the chickens, occasionally getting a little peck here and there, however, he is very well behaved with them. I was worried about the bantums, but because they are all together, he is very good with them.

This is also the same cat that regularly brought cardinals and other beheaded birds to our doorstep, but no longer. I am glad there are multiple roosters out there with them, I don't think the cat has a chance with the roosters around.

 

[flyingtnh]

Obviously you could talk to your neighbor, but if that doesn't work, one option might be to put a live trap out, bait it with canned cat food or tunafish. When you catch the cat, bring it to your neighbors (in the cage) saying you've had the trap out because of worries about predators like raccoons and skunks, and wondered if this might be theirs.

Be all apologetic, and during the discussion mention with a theatrical wipe of your brow, "Good thing she found my live trap next to the door instead of the two Conibear 330s I've got on the back side of the coop!"

 

[brandislee]

With a stray, especially a Tom, I would be worried. It depends how hungry he/she is. Typically a cat's predatory urge isn't triggered by any animal bigger than him, and I've heard many stories of people keeping a bunny and a cat as house pets together as long as it's a big enough rabbit.

But I don't think that cats are typically a threat to full grown birds. We have two cats who are completely enamored with the chicken coop- probably because they're not allowed in there unless I'm in there- but they seem pretty ambivalent about the birds themselves. When they go in the coop with me they climb all over, but ignore the chickens... unless the rooster gets annoyed with them, then he goes after them and they CAN'T ignore that I would only be worried about chickens/young pullets, or possibly if you don't have a rooster they could be more of a problem.

Also, keep in mind that if your run isn't 100% enclosed it's not gonna matter anyway, because cats can climb just about any fencing, from tiny screening to welded wire, and can squeeze through pretty small gaps. Mine climbed my fence and wiggled UNDER the electric wire on top.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:

LOL @

Be all apologetic, and during the discussion mention with a theatrical wipe of your brow, "Good thing she found my live trap next to the door instead of the two Conibear 330s I've got on the back side of the coop!"

And ALWAYS remember to take pics AND document dates and times as evidence........... like below.......and keep the pics hidden in the vault until you need them.

 

[JPHorvath]

Quote:

That is too cute!

I bet if it was not for our roosters our tomcat would hang out in the chicken coop also.

 

[JHillgrove]

My cats lay in the yard and the chickens will leave them alone. The chickens even steal their food and the cats never hurt the chickens, they all get along great. I even have several neighbor cats, in the beginning the neighbor cat thought about chasing one, but quickly changed his mind when he saw how big they are up close. Ran off in the opposite direction. My cat seems to really like the chicken and will often follow me into the coop while I collect eggs. I am amazed that everyone is so worried. I sometimes even see them touch nose to beak, very sweet.

 

[wowmanacat]

I have two cats and one of them decided that yesterday was the day to follow me into the coop as I was doing a look through for new eggs(none). Both my cat will lay in the yard with the chickens around them(till I had to lock chickens up) Neither of my cats or my dogs bother my chickens but then the cogs are never out with out us when the chickens were out.
I don't trust any animal that I do not know, so anything that is not mine would be a risk IMO.