Cats and Chickens?

[SmartyChick]

Hey everyone, I'm thinking about getting a barn cat to take care of the mice we have in our feed shed and other places. It is possible the cat will have contact with the chickens when they are free ranging. Will a cat eat or attack a chicken? I mean they are like the same size, but chickens are defenseless. What do you guys think??

 

[b.hromada]

I'm not certain about a barn cat, but my cats are all great around my chickens. They even like to lay out on the patio and watch them in the yard!

 

[mychickensrock]

We have 3 cats and they don't bother them too much. Sometimes they kinda stalk and chase the banties, but the big girls (standards) will peck at the cats if they get too close. Also, when the chickens were smaller, the cats were much more interested in them. I think once they are about the same size, you are ok.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

It's just totally gonna depend on the cat. Cats have taken down hens, but I think that most probably won't.

Marilyn here is a street-savvy stray who became the estate cat at La Casa...

She kills rats half her size, but the chickens are safe. Her boyfriend also cruises around the back of the property over there and could easily go into the pop door and grab a hen, but he ain't yet. He's a pretty big Ocicat. I need to see about trapping that guy and getting him de-tomcatted.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Ditto.

The cats are mainly a threat to chicks. Once my chicks were 8 weeks old and free ranging with the adults - the cats mostly ignored them. If you have a broody you wouldn't have to worry at all!!

If the cats stalk/chase my adult birds the rooster will drive them off. MY cats don't mess with my chickens much, but occasionally the neighbor's cats will get an idea in their heads. Mr Roo sets em straight though, I don't worry.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'd be concerned with chicks, but not standard breeds. My young male cat definitely shows an interest in the chickens (he's very playful, and a decent mouser), but I can't see him ever trying anything on them at this age. I think especially if they see you around the chickens and learn that they're your territory/pack, they know not to mess with them.

 

[heritagebirds]

My chickens chase my outside cats

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Ditto,

I have a big feral tom that comes to my backdoor to eat. If I get too close he goes after me, but runs from the hens. None of the other cats bother the hens.

Imp

 

[SmartyChick]

PHEW! Thanks everyone, now all I need is a good mousing barn cat. All my chickens are standards (BOs, and B Aussies) , I only do chicks with a broody, and I have a rooster. It looks like the odds are in my favor...

 

[Akane]

Very rarely a problem. I had one extra large feral attracted by some quail we butchered that gave me issues for awhile. Otherwise the barn cats and strays just ignore all but the chicks. One of my cats will take down full size crows and still doesn't bother with even tiny seramas.