Chickens & a CAT??

[springcreekfarm6400]

Hi,
I have several barn cats that are excellent mousers ( and anything else they can catch). Over the years I have never had a problem with the cats bothering the birds at any age. I have one queen right now that is asleep on top of a partially open brooder because she wants the warmth of the light. I also have an 8 year old Border Collie who lives for thr babies. When they arrive and we are unloading them into the brooder he whines because he wants to sniff and "kiss" them. This dog is totally baby anything orientated. When the queens have kittens he always finds them first and loves them up. Queens actually show the kittens to him on rhe first day. The kittens never show any fear of the dog at all. They all must know he is safe.
Good luck with your cat problems. I guess in some instances a fence makes good neighbors of poultry and cats.
Roseann

 

[ducks4you]

Quote:
How can you tell your great mouser (who probably kills other types of birds) to leave your birds alone? Enough said.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Quote:
I am no Expert - having my first mini-flock for all of 3 months now - but my barncat is 5# of Verminator.
She regularly kills & eats bunnies near her size (I know because I have to clean up the "leftovers >P)

I was careful to keep her away from my pullets until they had grown some. But she came near the coop when I had them out a couple weeks ago.
She took one look, did a kitty doubletake and left the area.
Not even a hint of the crouch&pounce I've seen her use with other birds.
{shrugs} I think my hens will be safe around her - but just in case they will have fenced yard w/netting roof.

 

[staceyc]

My chickens are 10 weeks and 6 weeks old (2 batches). So some are nearly full-sized, and some are still only about half-size. I have a secured run, and my cat lies out there in predator-mode, pressed flat on the ground, only the tip of her tail twitching, and when a chicken flutters a little too much, the cat rushes the fence and stops reluctantly just when she gets to it. I am sure she would tangle with them if she could, and I have no roo to protect them. My cat regularly catches birds, mice, and this summer, sadly, a nest of baby bunnies (though 3 out of 4 of the bunnies were able to be rehabbed). She gets plenty to eat ... she just likes blood. No free-rangin' for my chickens, because of *all* of the predators, including kitty, and I watch the coop door when I go in and out.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

I agree that I would keep the cat away from chicks. I think most adult hens can handle a cat, though. We had one that tried to catch our hens a time or two and was quickly put in her place. After just a couple of attempts, she changed her mind and actually ran from the hens if they got anywhere near her. Maybe you could try just letting them be around each other when you are nearby at first. At least you would be there to intervene if needed.