cats?

[lilstar]

How much of a threat are cats? My cats don't give the chickens a second glance, they completely ignore them. The ducks are around 5-6 weeks. Pretty big, but nowhere near full grown. Near as big as the cats themselves though. Big enough for the cats to not want to bother? I know my cats have seen them. they walked right under the cats' nose earlier today, with me right there between them. And tonight, when I was getting ready to put the ducks to bed (way past their bedtime) my cat ran outside towards the left, and a second later the ducks are running right as fast as they can, quacking up a storm. The cat wasnt chasing. I have no idea if the cat made some sort of advance towards them or if they were just startled and didn't feel like hanging around if a cat was nearby. Making me think I'm going to be keeping the cats inside any time the ducks are outside though, at least for awhile.

 

[featherz]

Depends on the cats. My barn cats don't bother any chickens, even small ones or fuzzies (with a broody mom).

Even the strays around here have never messed with a chicken. I would not leave cats unattended around chicks in a brooder, but I personally have never had a problem with cats and fowl - others will probably have different stories. My pullets chase my cats around the yard.

 

[Tahai]

I agree that it depends on the cats. My cats all understand the concept of prey-that's-not-prey. They treat the rabbits like part of the pride, and both the rabbits and the cats treat the ducklings like TV.

 

[wildpeas]

Yesterday my teenage Khaki chased my cats all over the yard. She's my smallest duck with the biggest attitude.

 

[Oregon Blues]

It depends upon the cat. Adult poultry is a bit bigger than their prey range, but they are fully capable of killing poultry.

Feral cats are more likely to kill poultry than house cats are. Hunger is a great motivator. However, they all have the skill set to do it.

The cats around here kill adult cottontails and a duck would be easy pickings compared to that cottontail.

 

[GoingQuackers]

My current flock of ducks ignore my cat & he ignores them. My previous lone duck, however, would stalk the cat & peck the dickens out of him randomly! He was terified of that duck! It was quite comical watching the cat dart around suspiciously while looking over his shoulder, awaiting a random duck attack.

 

[Imp]

Cats seem to be a rare predator of chickens. Possible yes, but not common. I more often have to protect the cats and their food from the chickens
I have a collection of ferals, strays, and pet cats and none have been aggressive towards the chickens. A couple have wanted to move into the warm coop, in the winter. Sometimes a new cat will show interest in the chickens- they quickly get put in their place.
My indoor old lady cat, who is a confirmed bird killer, was more concerned with getting under the brooder lamp, than concerned with the chicks; the last time I raised chicks.

Imp

 

[featherz]

I have a coop of young pullets and I've just started letting them out. The first thing one of the EE girls did was run at the cat and flare out her neck feathers (and yes, she is definitely a girl). He took one look and went running. It was hilarious!

I have a group of 2 year old leghorns that will shove my much bigger cat out of his own food bowl (my outdoor barn cat), so I've taken to feeding him about 1/2 hour before letting any chickens out so the cats can eat most of the food. They won't even notice he is there, they just push him away.

 

[NovaAman]

Oh! That reminds me of a few nights ago... Bill a few doors down has a cat that is an outdoor girl. She never has bothered any of the chickens that Carl, my neighbor, or I own. Well, a few nights ago, I let my silkie Roo out to have a walk about while all the other chickens we locked up. He was attacked by a hawk a week back or so... Well anyway, Roger, my roo, he sees the cat and took off after her with intentions to GET HER! Oh is was so funny. This poor little cat ran for her life! But it made Roger feel better. HAHA
Here is my outdoor/indoor cat...

She has no problems eating with the chickens...

 

[Going Quackers]

Echoing the rest totally depends on the cat, my farm cat is fine with ours. He's a good hunter but prefers smaller birds and mice.