Cats n chickens

[horsechick]

Hi,
Just wondered if cats are a problem for chickens and if a roo would attack a cat to keep the hens safe?
Thanks in advance

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

personally i have had no problems. my cats sniff and leave em be

 

[hsm5grls]

I am hoping so...I have two cats that roam around mt coop all day. It is very secure for that reason. I am hoping my rooster gives the cats a good pecking when he gets older and scares them away from the coop. Funny enough my Pomeranian chases the cats away from the coop like a mini chicken guard dog.
Cats are very instinctual though and I think it is in their nature to hunt so I would never let them around my chickens unsupervised and even with supervision I would be leery. That's why my poor chickens have to stay in their coop.

 

[Hotwings]

Quote:
It depends on the cat. If you start with a kitten the roo will surely put it in its place. I am sure a good size rooster could handle a cat. I have even seen a pack of hens chase a cat.

 

[Miltonchix]

Lost 24 six week old chicks in one day to neighbors DEAD cat.

 

[CovenantCreek]

I think a lot will depend on the size of the chickens -- the average cat may be hesitant to go after a full grown bird, but the smaller tasty morsels might be in jeopardy from even the laziest cat.

 

[pattycake]

My cat has never attacked my chickens, but he does love to chase them. He'll hide in the bushes and wait until one walks by, then AMBUSH! Much screeching and flapping ensues.

I'm afraid that cat will give someone a heart attack, so he has to stay INSIDE during free range time.

 

[silkiechicken]

Depends on the cat and size of the chickens. I've got a few and have yet to lose a chick to one. The youngest I free range is 3 week old silkies. Momma hen is great at protecting her chicks and my rooster does diddly squat with cats. The cats are actually afraid of the chickens here.

A few other cat threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19523

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21802

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=24370

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=24265

 

[jkcove08]

My cats will grab a chick or a few week old chick. They will run at the full grown chickens just to watch them scatter but do not try to attack them. I can not let my hens keep thier chicks that they hatch because the cats will chase them and get a chick away from the hen and then kill it. I dont really have that much of a problem with my turkey hens and thier babies but I did loose 1 poult last year and figured it would be easier to just pull the eggs and hatch them myself, that way they keep laying. Good luck, Jenn

 

[Betsy]

Depends on the cat. I never let a cat around young chickens, though. Once the chickens are grown, most cats are fine.