Chicken Killing Cat

[Woods_Woman]

Subject line says it all. My cat has killed 2 of my chickens this month, I am so mad Im literally ready to kill him. Needless to say his days are numbered here at my house, I placed an ad for him on Craigslist. I sure hope someone take's him otherwise to the pound he goes. He kills them then carries them under the deck where I cant fit to even retrieve the body, so now I have another dead chicken under my deck I am totally po'ed.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

does the cat have kittens, how old are the chickens, and are they in a cage?

 

[4-H chicken mom]

That is strange. All the cats I have ever had never bothered the chickens. They were actually afraid of them. Are the chickens small?

 

[happyhensny]

Our cats are domestic shorthairs and pretty big. They both hunt, just found a headless chipmunk this evening on the patio. BUT, the chickens will chase them down and peck them. The kitties steer clear of the big birds.

 

[nzpouter]

actually reading the subject line I thought your chicken is killing a cat....

 

[chickerdoodle]

Sorry about your loss

.

However, it is totally normal for cats to catch and kill chicks as they are truly supreme predators--its instinct. It's not really fair to condemn the cat that would be praised for killing rats and mice and then think he can tell the difference and not kill chicks (although I can certainly sympathize about the poor chicks) . Its a decision you'll need to make if you cannot have the chicks in a protected area. Its a tough situation to be in, but don't blame the cat for being a cat.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Mine can.
You do have to teach them though.
When they were little in a dog crate brooder the cats would put their paws through the wires. I just pushed their paws away every time. They caught on pretty fast that looking was ok, but touching the chicks is not. The chicks belong to mom and they are off limits.

If the OP's can't abide by the rules, then it's very good of her to rehome him!!!!!!!

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
Mine can.
You do have to teach them though.
When they were little in a dog crate brooder the cats would put their paws through the wires. I just pushed their paws away every time. They caught on pretty fast that looking was ok, but touching the chicks is not. The chicks belong to mom and they are off limits.

If the OP's can't abide by the rules, then it's very good of her to rehome him!!!!!!!

You are correct--they need to be taught what is expected and watched carefully in the beginning. I let my indoor cat sniff one chick this week and she didn't bat an eye as she is used to me having other critters that are off limits (I am a behaviorist). I would however, never leave them alone together as even play can be problematic for the chick. We only have indoor cats so its easier. Now starts the dog training for us. We know the chicks will always have to be in a secure area as one dog is a Belgian Malinois with high prey drive--even if she acts fine with them I will not trust her to shut off her instinct when we are not there. If the cat is not trained then she has to choose what she wants--cat or chicks secured. I just felt the cat was blamed for being a cat. Much of my career has been specializing in cat behavior and find most cases I deal with are natural behaviors that are unacceptable in the household. I need to help the client understand the "whys" so we can come up with a treatment plan. I agree that it is best to re-home the cat as it seems the chicks are more important to the OP and knowing your priorities is the key to harmony.

 

[rooster0209]

I took in a momma cat and kittens, the momma did kill two chickens. She became less interested in the chickens as the kittens got older; but I didnt trust her and thought for sure she would have to be rehomed. After I found the kittens homes and she was spayed....she NEVER even looks at the chickens anymore. I think it had to do w/her need to "provide for her babies"

If the cat isnt spayed or neutered...do so.

Just to add, this is the same cat that killed a weasle before it got into the coop. She also cleared the grainery of rats.....all after being spayed.

 

[fiberart57]

I see by your line that you have bantams. I would suspect that some bantams are small enough for a cat to kill. My little 6 pound dumpster cat can bring down a large white-winged dove.

One of our best mousers and ratters at our racehorse barn was a neutered male cat. He was always well-fed and healthy; he just did his job.

Sorry about your loss and I hope the cat finds a good home for his talents.

Mary