Cats and chickens.

[nity]

My cats and chickens have always got on....in fact the chickens rule. They headpeck the cats to drop their mice so they can have them. A couple of years ago we lost 2 chickens because our house sitters didn't put them away securely. From then on our cat would guard the only remaining chicken and sit with it until it went to roost. We got another chicken to keep it company. Just recently we lost a chicken to illness..... so we once again was left with one chicken. Our cat now sits with this one for quite a long while in the garden....like it senses it's grief or misses the other one. I know chickens grieve and show compassion when one is ill because I have seen this myself.......but I am fascinated to see my cats reaction.
Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[GoldenFlight]

I'm so sorry for your losses.

Wow, that is so amazing, thank you for sharing though, that is so sweet!

No, I've never heard of anything like that.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Sorry for you losses, do you know what predator took those 2 birds?

Cross species companionship is not unprecedented.

Have seen tons of pics and stories here about chickens hanging out with other animals....
...dogs, cats, goats, horses, etc.

 

[GoldenFlight]

Oh, sorry I didn't see you were new!

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[nity]

Thank u

 

[nity]

Thank u everyone. What a great site. I live in Rural France , originally from South England.
First time having chickens 5 years ago. . They are for eggs and part of the family. They are totally free range and have a hectar to roam. The chickens came first .....then the cats as kittens...so they know their place. If I throw bread to the chickens....the cats sit with them eating bread. I think because I have only 1 chicken now is probably why the cat is extra protective. I felt sorry for Fleur when he companion died recently so heard you could try and sing to them. I tried this ......so funny.....she came right up to me and looked me in the eye....which she has never done before. Not sure what she thought.....either....what on earth is that noise or she liked it. She talks a lot to me and I make sure she has my attention each day until I decide if she needs another 2 friends. Probably will in the spring....but will try the getting to know saga again.