cats?

[rpar003]

We have two indoor/outdoor cats. One is a real hunter (she brings us squirrels regularly). Neither of our cats bother the chickens, in fact our hens terrorize the cats! The hens like to hang out near the back door if they hear us inside (in the hope that we'll be bringing them scraps). If a cat is also around waiting to come in, the hens will peck the poor cat. The cats also won't go outside if the hens are nearby - they know they'll be in for a pecking!

When they were chicks the non-hunter cat was definitely WAY too interested. They were under double wire and solid-side cage when they were inside; and they were never allowed outside unsupervised until they were fully grown (and we knew how everyone interacted). Even when they were smaller, the cats would rush up to find out what the rustling in the bushes was - then walk away disgusted when they saw it was only the hens. We thought the cats were stalking them to start with, then we realized it was only the noise/movement they were interested in.

 

[Going Quackers]

Depends on the cat, my farm cat never bothers but he is well fed and only hunts for sport. Now that said my chickens are kept penned where he can gain zero access, they are pretty small and frankly he showed a little to much interest in them as young chicks out in a different pen.

The ducks otoh he has slept in the duck barn even when we had day old ducklings hatch, he isn't interested in taking them on but being all Muscovy they'd be a heck of a fight. I have a few cats that come in from neighboring farms but they don't try either but again the chickens are locked up, they make way to much noise and bounce about and create and cause interest imo vs the ducks.

 

[rabidgoose]

I have 14 cats and 40 ducks. Every cat reacts differently, but my own rule of thumb is that usually they wont bother a bird if it is with bigger birds or is bigger than a brick. I have one cat who regularly climbs an 8 foot fence so he can bask in the sun near the birds. He just likes watching them. Then there is the half-pint kitten who thought she was going to catch a goose...
When it is time for me to kick a bunch of baby birds out into the wide, wide world, I watch very closely for several days. They are scared of everything, of course, and if a cat charges them they will likely panic and run, which could trigger the hunting instinct in the cat. I interfere just as soon as I see a cat looking a little too interested. Ducks grow so fast that in a day or two they are towering over the cats. The other thing that has helped beyond all expectations is geese. The geese regard the ducks as theirs, and they protect them. They don't care what happens to a chicken, though. So then you need turkeys. See how i justify having all these critters?

 

[Mashallaharabia]

I'd get rid of the cats, period. Much safer for the ducks.

 

[chooniecat]

If the cats were seriously interested I believe they would have made moves prior to this. Can't hurt to be safe and restrain cats or ducklings until they are larger tho. My cats(all spayed/neutered barn cats) have NEVER bothered the pre-adult/adult ducks/chickens but again-I would be cautious until the ducklings are almost full size.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i had a neighbor cat, a persian, try to grab one of my chickens right in front of me. Our other neighbor cats are in our yard all the time. They have not hurt our ducks or chickens directly. But we have had injuries when the cats have accidentally cornered or scared them as they run through the yard. So even if a cat isn't inclined to harm your chickens or ducks, the chickens and ducks don't know that, and can become frightened and injure themselves trying to get away. i don't allow any cat in our yard during the day. If they want to come around at night and hunt mice or rats, cool.

 

[TTeddy]

Cat's really give me the heebie jeebies. Especially other peoples cats!!!

 

[TTeddy]

I have 14 cats and 40 ducks. Every cat reacts differently, but my own rule of thumb is that usually they wont bother a bird if it is with bigger birds or is bigger than a brick. I have one cat who regularly climbs an 8 foot fence so he can bask in the sun near the birds. He just likes watching them. Then there is the half-pint kitten who thought she was going to catch a goose...
When it is time for me to kick a bunch of baby birds out into the wide, wide world, I watch very closely for several days. They are scared of everything, of course, and if a cat charges them they will likely panic and run, which could trigger the hunting instinct in the cat. I interfere just as soon as I see a cat looking a little too interested. Ducks grow so fast that in a day or two they are towering over the cats. The other thing that has helped beyond all expectations is geese. The geese regard the ducks as theirs, and they protect them. They don't care what happens to a chicken, though. So then you need turkeys. See how i justify having all these critters?

You have 14 cats?! OMG, don't you have laws where you are? Do you license them?
Only allowed to have 3 per household here...(which is a good thing!)

 

[Kevin565]

You have 14 cats?! OMG, don't you have laws where you are? Do you license them?
Only allowed to have 3 per household here...(which is a good thing!)

Things are very different out in the country. As long as they are being taken care of I don't see why it would be a issue.

 

[Going Quackers]

Things are very different out in the country. As long as they are being taken care of I don't see why it would be a issue.

I agree! what on earth is wrong with cats? they keep away mice/rats and frankly mine is very good at keeping away stray cats..