Cats and chicks

[Zwillingsmama]

At what age/ size do I not have to worry that my chicks will be attacked by my neighbors cat?

 

[ashlierami]

At what age/ size do I not have to worry that my chicks will be attacked by my neighbors cat?

Well you will always have to worry but there will be a time when you won't have to worry as much. My cat stopped chasing my chicks when they were about 6 or 8 weeks. They were old enough to realize danger and run and hide and also they were foraging on their own and away from their mom. Depending on the cat once they are 6 or 8 weeks they shouldn't be a target but that also depends on how the cat is. If the cat loves to play with then or like to attack then it will happen even if they are adults. I have 2 cats that are in and out and a stray that is outside and he doesn't bother my birds. Ironically my oldest house cat is the one that would chase my chickens. It also helps to have a good rooster, my roo would sound the alarm and the dominant hen would chase my cat and protect the chicks and he eventually learned that and stopped

 

[tjo804]

That is going to depend on the cat,
All the stray cats here at my place are afraid of the chickens and stand back when they are out.

That does not mean a cat won't or cannot attack a full grown chicken because that could happen. You will have to keep close watch.

 

[lazy gardener]

Depends on the cat. I had a 17# cat when I was growing up. He was a formidable hunter. I never trusted him around my chickens. He would bring home full sized rabbits.

 

[RWise]

Yes cats will (try to) kill a fully grown chicken, they will never be completely safe.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

It really does depend on the cat. Our cats stopped stalking the chickens once they got to be similar in size. Now the chickens chase the cats.

 

[llombardo]

I would say it depends on the cat. I had a mouse in the house a couple years ago. The cat sat on the fridge watching the mouse run back and forth. Tail was twitching, but he had no interest in killing it. Never moved off the fridge.