cats and chickens

[TracyJayne]

Hi I am new to kbring chickens, I have worked with them but have decided to buy a few for myself, I have got 3 young pekin and one silkie , I have had them for just over a week , if I let them roam my garden will the neighbours cat attack them ?

 

[ccrow]

If they are not full grown, I think it's likely a cat would go for them. Maybe you could let them out only when you can be right there, to watch for the cat? If it shows up, you could scare it off with a squirt from the hose, or something... I have both cats and chickens; when my cats showed interest in the hens, I threw a 'noisy can'. These are Altoids mint tins with several pennies inside, taped shut. They make a pretty good racket, and they are heavy enough to throw a good ways without being heavy enough to do any damage. (I should note that I had the chickens before the cats.)

 

[TracyJayne]

Thankyou for your advise, think I will make a big run with a lid and watch what attention the cat shows and use the hose as you suggested until he doesn't bother , without a run I think I would be too scared the hose may not work and he would get hold of one of my babies ! Thankyou again

 

[thomasboyle]

My cats completely ignore the chickens and ducks, I've even seen them napping together on the lawn. But each cat is different, so definately watch them interact. A supersoaker makes a good discipline tool for the cat - if they act up, they get a shower!

 

[cncarter7276]

We have a lot of cats in our neighborhood and so far none of them seem interested in our chickens. Every now and then a cat will be in the yard but they tend to ignore the chickens.