cats and chickens?

[LynneP]

We support a feral cat colony in our barn and the 25 of them totally prevent a rodent problem. But we never mix the bids and the cats- some of the toms are massive and the queens are fearsome hunters. Then again, we don;t free-range either, we have a closed flock with heavy biosecurity because we live at the edge of the woods.

(link below)

 

[gamebirdsonly]

never trust cats. I just lost the rest of my show girls and bantam orps do to neighbors and feral cats.

 

[freemotion]

Citygirl, GREAT picture!!!

This does not let you off the hook, Henry!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Thanks!
I feel I must post this one too though, after the previous pic of domestic tranquility...

Every now and then Dodger cannot resist sneaking up behind the chickens. Robin the hen did not take it well...

 

[freemotion]

 

[1acrefarm]

My cat and all the neighbors cats are terrified of the chickens. My cat will take down a full grown squirrel but cower to any of my chickens or ducks.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

freemotion, I told my daughter that she needs to take a picture of 'lily' or 'Peanut' in the coop with the chickens. She is on camera patrol.

Weather here is getting blah so they will be in there for sure this weekend.

 

[Dar]

my cat LOVES the chicken coop...when we put the girls to bed at night we have to make sure the cat is not in there.. he goes in and checks out the nest he even sits in the nest that they never use...when my cat ses me putting my coop shoes on and getting my bucket he runs for the door cause he knows i am going to the coop...

maybe its cause ever since we got the chickens my DD had not put him in the baby stroller anymore...the chickens now ride in the stroller..

 

[freemotion]

I'll be waiting for those pix, Henry, and mjsdhs, how 'bout it?

These days, I can't get enough of the funny pictures!

 

[moenmitz]

We have 5 barn cats who dont bat an eye at the chickens. When they were chicks we had to keep them protected, but now that they are big, the cats dont seem to think twice about it. We did have a couple of cats who were forever stalking them, so they found a new home before they coudl do any damage, so I think it depends mostly ont he cats. Ours are all excellent hunters, but seem to understand the chickens are no- nos- I think partly because when they would skulk aorund the brooders we would holler at them and chase them off. Now, they get locked in the barn at night, where we have the chickens in predator proof pens. Our grown Narrangassett turkey chooses to sleep in the hayloft, curled up with the cats. We have zero issue with mice in the feed, and should any weasel or other foolish predator find a way into the barn, I suspect they would have real regrets!