Chickens & a CAT??

[kcardella]

I have two rescued cats and a stray that adopted us, and have never had an issue with the chickens, guineas, or our new ducks. They will hang out with the chickens in the coop, under the shed when it's hot, even laying in the nests! They did not even bother them when they were babies. They would lay on top of the brooders and watch them, but never made any attempt to kill them. The cats are all very good ratters, and will kill wild birds, rabbits, lizards, etc., but I completely trust them with the poultry.

 

[beckymom3]

I lost 4 Japanese Bantam chicks and 1 Buff Orpington pullet, approx 6 weeks old and pretty big, to my cats. They leave the big chickens alone, but beware the babies! My surviving 2 banties are in a secluded pen for now!

I basically don't trust any of my predatory animals, dog or cat, around my chickens. I've lost too many chickens to my dogs. We just try not to take any chances. I do believe some dogs and cats can, of course, live in harmony with prey animals (I knew a Rottweiller raised by a rabbit) but for me, it's always been risky. My cats hunt, but can't resist tasty morsels such as hamsters (we've lost 6) or baby birds that don't have the wild critter's know-how for getting away.

 

[BorderKelpie]

My mouser caught a few of my chicks, I manged to save one from him only to have him sneak in again - this time, the roo got the cat. Mach won't even go near the coop now - lol

 

[roadislandred]

I had 11 beautiful road island reds and a stray cat killed one the other day, made me sick. Did not carry away the cat was chased off so don't know what it would have done. Now that it has gotten one I know it will be back, there are 3 strays around my barn, I have 2 that were kittens when we got them and they are still afraid of the chickens. But beware CATS will kill your Chickens. Now I am going to put in a run and protect them, they love to free range and can not wait to get out. Today they were really mad and verbal. good luck. I am going to borrow a humane trap and take cats to the animal shelter.

 

[annek]

I have 6 adult cats, some are excellent mousers and catch wild birds too but they do not bother the hens. Mine have free ranged since about 13 weeks. Had a problem once with one of my dogs, but never from the cats. I did not let the cats close to the babies however, the chickens had to be a large enough size. Now, my birds, dogs, cats all get along fine but I would never allow baby chicks to be alone with the dogs or the cats.

 

[annek]

Quote:
Are you feeding the cats? If not, I can understand them killing for food. An adult RIR should be able to take a cat if mad.

 

[mstricer]

REALLY, So I dont have to make my cat mad any more. I have been making him stay in the house untill everyone was in their coops. Hes not a fan since he pottys outside instead of a box. Good to know I let him out and watch for a few days. Good question!

 

[roadislandred]

Annek, these are wild cats or strays, we do keep food out for our 2 cats maybe the strays eat there food, I also thought a full grown rir would fight off a cat they chase everything else but this time the cat went for the kill. I just wanted people to know that cats will kill a chicken.

 

[Kiwi Chicky]

we have five cats and the chickens are fairly new here.

4 of the cats could care less about the chooks but 1 of them has chased them around a few times so I will be watching him!

 

[awtandrocks]

I have a neighbor down the road that lives in a shack and he seems to have a burgeoning cat empire and they think my backyard is their hunting ground.

My chicks are arriving today

so i will have to stay watchful.
However I administer 10/22 justice and settle the cases with the SSS method whenever they overstep their boundaries, (like sampling a trash can buffet.)

I also have a pair of Red Shouldered Hawks that hang around my yard so I stay pretty careful.