CATS vs BANTAMS

[kingsdaughter]

We are getting some kittens which will be outdoor farm cats. Does anyone have cats and bantams that co-exist, or will I need to build a run for my bantams? Any positive or negative experiences would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[danielbrown]

My bantams kicked the cats butt and ate their food.

 

[kezabel]

I have 4 bantams that free range and 2 cats, 1 cat is still a kitten(6mths) and the other is 1 and a half years old. Our cats are scared of the chickens lol its funny to watch, if one of the cats goes into the yard where the hens are they get chased by the hens. You shouldn't have a problem with your new kittens, they will be curious but they soon will be put in their place. Our kitten got a good peck on the nose the other day because she got to close to the coop in the morning before I had let the chickens out.
You'll have fun watching them.

 

[Camelot Farms]

I think it depends a bit on the cat...we have 4 mousers that free range with the chickens and only one of them ever gives the them a hard time....she is the one who causes every disaster indoors and out...broken dishes, dead goldfinches, digs up houseplants etc. I'd rehome her but she is my best mouser. lol

Even with my 'safe' cats, i dont let them near any of the chickens until they are bigger than a crow or blue jay. Just seems safer that way.

There can be harmony, just know your cats

 

[currycomb]

i agree, my bet is with the banty, especially if she has little ones. pecking, flogging, cackling, enough to give any cat a run for its money, especially if they are just kittens

 

[Chickenaddict]

I have 2 cats who coexist with the flock, one is a bit older and thinks she is a chicken, she even gets in the brooder and has naps with chicks without harming one of them, however they don't feel the same way about her and huddle in a corner. She free ranges with the chickens all day and they don't seem to mind one bit, they have seen enough of her to know she isn't a threat. She has also made a few attempts to sit on eggs I had stashed for incubating, I came in the room and there she was gently placing all 20 lbs of herself carefully over the eggs, once she was situated she laid down on them purring away. The younger one I would never trust with chicks but the adults would kill the poor thing if he tried to get fiesty.

 

[Love my Critters!]

It will depend on the cats. Hopefully getting them young and "raising" them around the chickens they will learn to coexist well. I have two cats and they lay in the yard while the chickens and chicks walk and scratch right next to them. They even lay there watching the 'wild' chickens we have eat their cat food, then get up and "cry" to me for more food.

Guess I would rather have it this way then have chicken killers

 

[Cock-L-Doodle Garoo]

I've finally got my cat to start chillin' with the bantam peeps. It only took a couple of hen pecks, but I'm sure it depends on the cat.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Quote:
And I thought I had alot of roos

My 4 OEGB boys mobbed one of the neighborhood cats that was in our backyard. Chsed him until he was out of our yard and they started crowing in victory.