Cats

[dixygirl]

I looked out the window today to see a stray cat had jumped on top of a chicken and was pawing it. I ran right out and scared it away. Some may not have problems but I saved my chicken today from attack.

It had pulled out some feathers and if i had not gotten out in time I fear what might have happened. So a cat can and will kill a chicken. Don't be romantic about mixing species, unless you don't mind cleaning up the dead carcasses of your pets.

 

[rooster0209]

My cats are not the least bit interested in my chickens. I don't trust them around the little ones. One of my cats sleeps in the guinea coop, in what was to be the nesting corner.

I have three kittens that decided the guinea rooster looked fun to play with. They learned real quick it was not a good idea. Now they get their fur all up when he walks by.

Now Freddie (lab/bc cross) is a different story, he had to have some training to teach him that chasing Guinea's or chickens is a big NO NO. He does like to come in the coop and watch the little ones in the brooder box when I feed...bratt!

 

[jessbrooks2013]

My two young male cats love to chase the hens and play in the coop. They never do anything serious. For awhile I sat with them and the water hose to make clear any misunderstanding about my expectations. When another cat gets into the yard, however, my ladies tend to freak out a little more and hop the fence. I see having my territorial boys as benefit because while their there other cats aren't.
My friend who also has chickens has one seriously attacked by a cat, causing a broken leg. Luckily it recovered.

 

[LynneP]

Our ferals adore the pullets and since we use hardware cloth, the two species never cross into each others' territory. There are easily 25 ferals using the barn, and we have NO RODENTS. You're lucky to have this little one, and if you can adapt to having more and feeding them, you will keep many diseases away from the birds and your family...

Pics in home page below.

 

[keechoo]

My cat used to sleep with them in the coop. He protected them from other cats and always stood guard when they were ranging. He died a couple of weeks ago while trying to protect them from a fox. A very sad loss after 12 years of being anti-social to me but protecting other pets.

 

[SportTees]

That sounds like my cat! keechoo Sorry for your loss thats along time to have a cat.

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

personally I feel better having our cat around our girls.
She loves all little animals (but mice) she comes across. I think if they are raised together then you have a great friend to a chicken in a cat.
Our cat has fought a opossium, and a coon that came near our coop.
She has slept with the chicks since they where a day old, and from time to time she might swat them, and they will case and peck her, but I think it's all play. If they are friends I think you should let it be that way.

and this pic os from day 2 with the baby chicks

a week later our cat was sleeping IN the brooder if the lid was up